Reticulocyte Hemoglobin Content as the Best Indicator of Iron Deficiency in Female Patients with Diffuse Non-Scarring Hair Loss

The study highlighted that iron deficiency, even without anemia, was a significant cause of diffuse nonscarring hair loss in women. It emphasized that reticulocyte hemoglobin content was the best indicator of iron deficiency in these cases. Iron plays a crucial role in hair follicle matrix cell function, as it is a cofactor for ribonucleotide reductase, essential for DNA synthesis and gene regulation in hair follicles. The prevalence of iron deficiency without anemia was noted to be about twice as high as iron deficiency anemia, particularly affecting menstruating women, black individuals, athletes, vegetarians, and those who are obese or overweight.