Estimation of Serum Ferritin Level in Female Patients with Telogen Effluvium

January 2012 in “ Hair therapy & transplantation ”

Mohamed Kotb Ibrahem, Essam Bakr Abd-Elal, Ahmed Rashad El Shahed, Ahmed Nabil Maawad, Abd-Elaleem Ali El-Gendy, Mohamed L. Elsaie

serum ferritin telogen effluvium iron deficiency hair loss iron metabolism TE

Studysummary This study found no significant link between iron metabolism, including serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels, and telogen effluvium in women under 40 years old. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study examined the serum ferritin levels in 100 female patients under 40 years of age with telogen effluvium (TE) compared to a control group without hair loss. The results indicated no significant difference in serum ferritin levels between the TE patients and the control group, suggesting that iron metabolism is not closely linked to TE. Despite this, the document acknowledges other research that has found connections between iron deficiency and hair loss, highlighting the need for further studies, such as a randomized placebo-controlled trial, to fully understand the role of iron in hair loss.

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research Iron Deficiency and Diffuse Nonscarring Scalp Alopecia in Women: More Pieces to the Puzzle

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research Diffuse Hair Loss in an Adult Female: Approach to Diagnosis and Management

70 citations , January 2009 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

This article reviews the characteristics, diagnosis, and management of different types of diffuse alopecia in women and provides no original research findings.

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

28 citations , February 2008 in “PubMed”

This study found that low iron stores are a risk factor for excessive hair loss in non-menopausal women.

research No Association Between Serum Ferritin Levels Greater Than 10 μg/l and Hair Loss Activity in Women

56 citations , January 2008 in “Dermatology”

This article discusses the controversy over serum ferritin levels in diagnosing iron deficiency in women with hair loss but reports no new findings, emphasizing the need for consistent reference ranges.

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

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

This review discusses the complexities of diagnosing and treating iron deficiency related to nutritional anemia and hair loss, concluding that routine screening and supplementation for hair loss are not yet supported by sufficient evidence.

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 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 Cutaneous Manifestations of Eating Disorders

33 citations , April 2002 in “Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

This review discusses the skin conditions linked to eating disorders and emphasizes that treating the underlying disorder often improves these dermatological symptoms.

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