Iron Deficiency in Female Pattern Hair Loss, Chronic Telogen Effluvium, and Control Groups

October 2010 in “ Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology ”

Elise A. Olsen, Kate E. Reed, Patrick B. Cacchio, Leslie Caudill

iron deficiency female pattern hair loss chronic telogen effluvium premenopausal women hair growth ID FPHL CTE

TLDR Iron deficiency common in women, not always linked to hair loss; more research needed.

This document is a compilation of several studies that aimed to investigate the relationship between iron deficiency (ID) and female pattern hair loss (FPHL) and chronic telogen effluvium (CTE). The studies found that ID is common in women but not necessarily increased in patients with FPHL or CTE compared to control subjects. However, there may be a higher prevalence of ID in premenopausal women with hair loss. The studies suggest that more definitive studies are needed to evaluate whether correction of ID in women with hair loss actually affects hair growth.

View this study on jaad.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

10 / 10 results

research Iron Deficiency and Hair Loss: The Jury Is Still Out

22 citations, April 2006 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

More research is needed to determine if iron deficiency causes hair loss.

research Evaluation and Treatment of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss

203 citations, December 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Early diagnosis and treatment, using finasteride, minoxidil, or hair transplantation, improves hair loss outcomes.

research Decreased Serum Ferritin Is Associated With Alopecia in Women

163 citations, November 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Low iron levels may be linked to some types of hair loss in women.

research There Is No Clear Association Between Low Serum Ferritin And Chronic Diffuse Telogen Hair Loss

83 citations, November 2002 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Low iron levels are not directly linked to chronic hair loss and iron supplements may not help.

research Nutritional Factors and Hair Loss

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

Low iron and L-lysine levels can cause hair loss in women, and increasing these nutrients can reduce hair shedding.

research Causes of Hair Loss and Developments in Hair Rejuvenation

69 citations, February 2002 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science”

Some hair loss can be treated, especially in women due to nutrition, but some types remain untreatable.

research Does Tissue Iron Status Have a Role in Female Alopecia?

34 citations, July 1999 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Iron deficiency is not a significant cause of hair loss in women.

research Chronic Telogen Effluvium: Increased Scalp Hair Shedding in Middle-Aged Women

234 citations, December 1996 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Middle-aged women with chronic telogen effluvium experience increased hair shedding but usually don't get significantly thinner hair.

The Importance of Adequate Serum Ferritin Levels During Oral Cyproterone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Treatment of Diffuse Androgen-Dependent Alopecia in Women

research The Importance of Adequate Serum Ferritin Levels During Oral Cyproterone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Treatment of Diffuse Androgen-Dependent Alopecia in Women

83 citations, April 1992 in “Clinical Endocrinology”

Having enough iron improves the effectiveness of a specific hair loss treatment in women.

research Biochemical and Trichological Characterization of Diffuse Alopecia in Women

124 citations, August 1990 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Diffuse alopecia in women may be related to androgens and iron deficiency, and basic hormone and nutrient screening is useful.

Related Research

7 / 7 results

research Nutritional Factors and Hair Loss

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

Low iron and L-lysine levels can cause hair loss in women, and increasing these nutrients can reduce hair shedding.

Iron Deficiency in Female Pattern Hair Loss, Chronic Telogen Effluvium, and Control Groups

Research cited in this study

research Iron Deficiency and Hair Loss: The Jury Is Still Out

research Evaluation and Treatment of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss

research Decreased Serum Ferritin Is Associated With Alopecia in Women

research There Is No Clear Association Between Low Serum Ferritin And Chronic Diffuse Telogen Hair Loss

research Nutritional Factors and Hair Loss

research Causes of Hair Loss and Developments in Hair Rejuvenation

research Does Tissue Iron Status Have a Role in Female Alopecia?

research Chronic Telogen Effluvium: Increased Scalp Hair Shedding in Middle-Aged Women

research The Importance of Adequate Serum Ferritin Levels During Oral Cyproterone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Treatment of Diffuse Androgen-Dependent Alopecia in Women

research Biochemical and Trichological Characterization of Diffuse Alopecia in Women

Related Community Posts Join

community C’est terrible - at my wits end

community Finasteride doesn't work for me in 2 years and my bloodtest result just came in.

community I lost the fight against MPB at age 22 despite being on treatments.

community Still shedding like this everyday 9 months straight on fin and min. Should I switch to dut?

community I’ve read multiple times that Fin increases hair quality… NOT for me!

Related Research

research Role of Iron Deficiency in Chronic Diffuse Hair Loss

research Serum Ferritin Levels in Non-Scarring Alopecia of Women: A Case-Control Study

research Correlation of Serum Ferritin Levels in Female Patients with Chronic Diffuse Hair Loss: A Cross-Sectional Study

research Estimation of Serum Ferritin Levels in Patients with Various Forms of Alopecia: A Case-Control Study

research Low Iron Stores: A Risk Factor for Excessive Hair Loss in Non-Menopausal Women

research The Diagnosis and Treatment of Iron Deficiency and Its Potential Relationship to Hair Loss

research Nutritional Factors and Hair Loss