Hair Loss and Zinc Deficiency: A Cross-Sectional Study

November 2025 in “ Healthcare ”

Ori Liran, Shiraz Vered, Bar Cohen, Shirley Shapiro Ben David, Afif Nakhleh, Daniella Rahamim-Cohen, Joseph Azuri, Limor Adler

zinc deficiency hair loss zinc levels zinc supplementation

Studysummary This study found that individuals with hair loss complaints had slightly lower zinc levels compared to controls, but the difference was clinically insignificant, suggesting zinc testing is not essential for diagnosing hair loss.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

This cross-sectional study of 23,975 patients found a statistically significant but clinically insignificant difference in zinc levels between those with hair loss (96 µg/dL) and controls (99 µg/dL), as both were within the normal range. The study also noted lower ferritin and hemoglobin levels in patients with hair loss, but these differences were minor. The findings suggest that routine zinc testing is not necessary in hair loss evaluations, and further research on zinc supplementation is needed to understand its role in hair loss conditions. The study's large sample size provides robust data, but its retrospective nature limits causal conclusions.

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research Retrospective Review of 2851 Female Patients With Telogen Effluvium: A Single-Center Experience

February 2025 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

In this study, researchers observed that deficiency in biochemical markers, notably ferritin and serum iron, is frequently found in female patients diagnosed with telogen effluvium, suggesting these tests are crucial in understanding and treating the condition.

research Association Between Serum Trace Elements Level and Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

5 citations , December 2024 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Vitamin D and zinc may help treat alopecia areata.

research Micronutrients And Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review

October 2024 in “Molecular Nutrition & Food Research”

This review found that deficiencies or imbalances in micronutrients like vitamin B, vitamin D, iron, and zinc may play a role in androgenetic alopecia and could be modifiable risk factors for prevention and treatment, though evidence varies.

Evaluation of the Relationship of Digital Phototrichogram Findings with Blood TSH, Ferritin, and Vitamin B12 Levels in Patients with Diffuse Hair Loss

research Evaluation of the Relationship of Digital Phototrichogram Findings with Blood TSH, Ferritin, and Vitamin B12 Levels in Patients with Diffuse Hair Loss

January 2024 in “İstanbul Kuzey Klinikleri”

This study found that low ferritin levels are associated with higher telogen ratios in women with diffuse hair loss, suggesting an important role of ferritin in telogen effluvium diagnosis.

research Serum Zinc Concentration in Patients With Alopecia Areata

October 2023 in “Acta dermato-venereologica (Print)”

This study found that patients with severe alopecia areata had significantly lower serum zinc levels compared to healthy controls, and a negative correlation between zinc levels and disease severity was observed, suggesting that zinc assessment and supplementation trials may be warranted in this population.

research Iron Deficiency and Nonscarring Alopecia in Women: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

18 citations , November 2021 in “Skin Appendage Disorders”

This study found that women with nonscarring alopecia had lower ferritin levels compared to women without the condition.

research The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review

134 citations , December 2018 in “Dermatology and Therapy”

This review discusses the potential role of vitamins and minerals in managing non-scarring alopecia but reports no clinical results; the authors advocate for further controlled trials to explore these relationships.

research The Medical and Psychosocial Associations of Alopecia: Recognizing Hair Loss as More Than a Cosmetic Concern

36 citations , November 2018 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

This review discusses the significant burden of disease and psychosocial implications associated with alopecia, highlighting its comorbidities and the impact on quality of life despite being viewed traditionally as an aesthetic concern, but reports no clinical results.

research Assessment of Heavy Metal and Trace Element Levels in Patients with Telogen Effluvium

6 citations , January 2018 in “PubMed”

This study suggests that elevated levels of certain heavy metals, rather than zinc, may play a causative role in primary chronic telogen effluvium.

research Estimation of Zinc and Iron Levels in the Serum and Hair of Women with Androgenetic Alopecia: Case-Control Study

15 citations , January 2018 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology”

This study reported that women with female androgenetic alopecia had significantly lower zinc levels in both serum and hair, and lower hair iron levels, compared to healthy controls.

research Changes of Serum Trace Elements Level in Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Meta-Analysis

23 citations , February 2017 in “Journal of dermatology”

This meta-analysis suggests that patients with alopecia areata have lower serum levels of zinc and selenium compared to healthy controls, which may be important risk factors for the condition.

research Low Plasma Zinc Levels in Androgenetic Alopecia

7 citations , January 2017 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

research BMI and Levels of Zinc, Copper in Hair, Serum, and Urine of Turkish Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia

37 citations , March 2014 in “Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology”

This study reported that Turkish males with male pattern androgenetic alopecia had significantly lower zinc and copper levels in their hair compared to healthy controls, suggesting these imbalances may play a role in the condition's etiology.

research Iron Plays a Certain Role in Patterned Hair Loss

40 citations , January 2013 in “Journal of Korean Medical Science”

This study found that serum ferritin levels were lower in premenopausal women with female pattern hair loss compared to healthy controls, suggesting a potential role for iron in hair loss.

research Analysis of Serum Zinc and Copper Concentrations in Hair Loss

73 citations , January 2013 in “Annals of Dermatology”

This study observed that patients with various types of hair loss had significantly lower serum zinc levels compared to healthy controls, suggesting zinc disturbance may play a role in the condition.

research Zinc as an Ambivalent but Potent Modulator of Murine Hair Growth In Vivo: Preliminary Observations

60 citations , October 2005 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This study found that high-dose oral zinc significantly influences hair growth in mice, showing both inhibition and promotion effects depending on the timing and duration of administration.

research Nutritional Factors and Hair Loss

239 citations , July 2002 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

This review explores the role of nutritional factors in hair loss, noting that iron and l-lysine supplementation may benefit some individuals, while excessive supplements can lead to hair shedding.

research Hair Density, Hair Diameter, and the Prevalence of Female Pattern Hair Loss

234 citations , February 2001 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

FPHL affects hair density and diameter, causing visible hair loss in older women.