Iron deficiency and hair loss—Nothing new?
July 2011
in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”
TLDR Iron deficiency might be linked to hair loss, but more research is needed.
The document discussed a study on the relationship between iron deficiency (ID) and hair loss, specifically chronic telogen effluvium (CTE) and female pattern hair loss (FPHL). The study faced criticism for methodological inconsistencies, such as non-standardized blood sampling and lack of quantitative hair evaluation in control subjects. Despite these issues, the study found significant differences in iron levels between premenopausal women with FPHL or CTE and control subjects. However, the authors did not adequately address the unexpected finding of higher ID in controls compared to FPHL and CTE subjects. The study suggested that the hair follicle iron-regulating pathway might explain why only some iron-deficient women develop CTE, referencing the mask mouse model where iron supplementation corrected anemia and restored hair growth.
View this study on jaad.org →
Cited in this study
research Iron deficiency in female pattern hair loss, chronic telogen effluvium, and control groups
Iron deficiency common in women, not always linked to hair loss; more research needed.
research Nutritional factors and hair loss
Low iron and L-lysine levels can cause hair loss in women, and increasing these nutrients can reduce hair shedding.