TLDR Low vitamin D might be one of several factors involved in the hair loss condition alopecia areata.
The authors responded to Dr. Yao's comments on their systematic review and meta-analysis regarding the relationship between vitamin D levels and the severity of alopecia areata (AA). They acknowledged the importance of exploring this correlation and conducted a new meta-regression analysis including 10 studies. This analysis redefined a severe AA group and used the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) scores to evaluate disease severity. The results showed a slightly negative but nonsignificant correlation between serum vitamin D levels and the proportion of severe AA, which was consistent with Dr. Yao's findings. The authors also referenced other studies that found a negative correlation between vitamin D levels and AA severity, and the expression of vitamin D receptors in hair follicles. They concluded that vitamin D deficiency might be one of many factors contributing to AA and called for more research to clarify vitamin D's role in AA pathogenesis. The meta-regression was limited by the small number of studies included.
5 citations,
May 2018 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Lower vitamin D levels might be linked to more severe alopecia areata, but more research is needed to understand if vitamin D can help treat it.
29 citations,
December 2017 in “International Journal of Dermatology” People with alopecia areata often have lower vitamin D levels, which are linked to more severe and longer-lasting hair loss, but vitamin D receptor levels in the skin don't show the same pattern and don't predict treatment success.
28 citations,
April 2017 in “Journal of cosmetic dermatology” Low vitamin D can worsen pediatric alopecia areata.
20 citations,
May 2016 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” Low vitamin D receptor levels found in hair loss patients; topical vitamin D treatment suggested.
3 citations,
January 2015 in “Journal of the Egyptian Womenʼs Dermatologic Society” 105 citations,
March 2014 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” Alopecia areata patients often have low vitamin D levels, suggesting they might benefit from vitamin D supplements.
14 citations,
January 2013 in “Journal of the Egyptian Women's Dermatologic Society /Journal of the Egyptian Women's Dermatologic Society”
63 citations,
May 2017 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology” People with alopecia areata often have lower levels of vitamin D, zinc, and folate, but more research is needed to understand if supplements can help treat it.
1 citations,
January 2019 in “Indian journal of paediatric dermatology” Kids with alopecia areata had lower vitamin D levels than healthy kids.
October 2024 in “Frontiers in Nutrition” Vitamin D deficiency is common in people with certain types of hair loss, like alopecia areata and female pattern hair loss.
May 2023 in “Journal of Clinical Medicine” New understanding and treatments for hair loss are improving, but more research is needed.
February 2022 in “Global academic journal of medical sciences” People with alopecia areata have much lower Vitamin-D levels than healthy individuals.
