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

January 2017 in “ Journal of Pakistan Association of Dermatology ”

Muzamil Chisti, Qazi Masood, Iffat Hassan Shah, Dilshad Ahmed Khan, Imran Majid, Seema Qayoom, Samreen Shah

serum ferritin non-scarring alopecia alopecia areata androgenetic alopecia iron supplementation telogen effluvium iron deficiency iron supplements

Studysummary This study found a significant association between low serum ferritin levels and nonscarring alopecia in women, suggesting the importance of addressing iron deficiency for treatment effectiveness. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study, conducted on 100 female patients with non-scarring alopecia and 100 matched controls, found a significant association between low serum ferritin levels and non-scarring alopecia in women, particularly in those with alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia. Other iron status parameters were also significantly lower in patients, indicating an overall depleted iron status. The results suggest that iron supplementation could be beneficial for treatment response in these patients. However, no significant difference in serum ferritin levels was found in patients with telogen effluvium. The study highlights the potential role of iron deficiency in alopecia development and calls for further research with larger sample sizes to confirm these findings.

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Research cited in this study

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

72 citations , October 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study concluded that iron deficiency is common among women but not more prevalent in those with female pattern hair loss or chronic telogen effluvium compared to control subjects without hair loss.

research Medical Pearl: Comparing Crown Part Width to Occipital Part Width to Diagnose Female Pattern Hair Loss

2 citations , July 2005 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This abstract discusses clinical techniques for diagnosing female pattern hair loss and reports no new research findings.

research Kenogen in Female Androgenetic Alopecia

40 citations , December 2004 in “Dermatology”

This study suggests that an increase in kenogen phases, along with rising vellus hair cycles and fewer normal hair cycles, is associated with the progression of female androgenetic alopecia.

research Decreased Serum Ferritin Is Associated With Alopecia in Women

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

This study found that women with androgenetic alopecia or alopecia areata have significantly lower serum ferritin levels than those without hair loss, suggesting a potential link between these types of alopecia and decreased iron stores.

research Is There Really No Clear Association Between Low Serum Ferritin and Chronic Diffuse Telogen Hair Loss?

10 citations , June 2003 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This article challenges the idea that low serum ferritin is not associated with chronic diffuse telogen hair loss by questioning the validity of 'normal' serum ferritin reference ranges.

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”

This study found no direct relationship between low serum ferritin and chronic diffuse telogen hair loss in women, questioning the usefulness of serum ferritin measurement and iron supplementation for managing this condition.

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 Problems in Women: A 1997 Study on Prevalence, Psychological Impact, and Treatment Approaches

37 citations , January 1997 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

This study found that women with androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata had significantly lower serum ferritin levels compared to women without hair loss.

research Telogen Effluvium: A Comprehensive Review

214 citations , March 1993 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This article proposes five different mechanisms for telogen effluvium, supported by clinical findings, based on changes in different phases of the hair cycle.

research Management of Hair Loss in Women

29 citations , January 1993 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

This paper reviews diffuse androgen-dependent alopecia and chronic telogen effluvium in women, highlighting diagnostic challenges and management issues, but reports no new clinical findings; the authors suggest effective treatments are available.

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”

This study found that treatment with cyproterone acetate and ethinyl oestradiol increased hair density in women with diffuse androgen-dependent alopecia, particularly when serum ferritin levels were above 40 μg/l.

Biochemical and Trichological Characterization of Diffuse Alopecia in Women