A Study of Serum Ferritin and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Levels in Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia

November 2023 in “ International Journal of Trichology ”

Praveena Prasad, Preema Sinha, Nagendra Beniwal, Rajesh Sahu

serum ferritin thyroid-stimulating hormone androgenetic alopecia iron deficiency thyroid dysfunction SF TSH AGA

TLDR No significant link between hair loss and iron or thyroid levels was found, but checking for deficiencies might still be useful.

The study examined the relationship between serum ferritin (SF) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in 30 male patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) compared to 30 healthy controls over 9 months. It found no significant differences in SF and TSH levels between the groups and no correlation with the severity of alopecia. Despite these findings, the study suggests that screening for iron deficiency and thyroid dysfunction may be important in assessing hair loss in men. The study acknowledges its limitations, including a small sample size and a specific population, and calls for further research with larger samples.

View this study on journals.lww.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

13 / 13 results

research Norman Orentreich, The Father of Hair Transplantation

4 citations, August 2017 in “JAMA Dermatology”

Norman Orentreich pioneered hair transplantation, improving techniques over time for more natural results.

Frequency, Severity, and Related Factors of Androgenetic Alopecia in Dermatology Outpatient Clinic: Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Turkey

research Frequency, Severity, and Related Factors of Androgenetic Alopecia in Dermatology Outpatient Clinic: Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Turkey

37 citations, February 2017 in “Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia”

AGA more common in men, increases with age, linked to family history, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and smoking.

research Iron Plays a Certain Role in Patterned Hair Loss

40 citations, January 2013 in “Journal of Korean Medical Science”

Iron deficiency may contribute to hair loss.

research A Descriptive Study of Alopecia Patterns and Their Relation to Thyroid Dysfunction

22 citations, January 2013 in “International Journal of Trichology”

Hair loss is often linked to thyroid problems, especially in women and older people, and screening for thyroid issues is advised for those with hair loss.

research Prevalence of Androgenetic Alopecia in China: A Community-Based Study in Six Cities

126 citations, January 2010 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Baldness is more common in Chinese men than women, increasing with age, and is influenced by genetics.

research Male Androgenetic Alopecia: Population-Based Study in 1,005 Subjects

41 citations, July 2009 in “International Journal of Trichology”

58% of men aged 30-50 have hair loss, with severity increasing with age.

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

56 citations, January 2008 in “Dermatology”

Higher iron levels in the blood are not linked to increased hair loss in women.

research Male Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia in an Indian Context: A Perspective Study

28 citations, March 2007 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

At least 87% of Indian men experience hair loss, with type II being most common and severity increasing with age.

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 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 The Biology of Hair Follicles

1113 citations, August 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Hair follicle biology advancements may lead to better hair growth disorder treatments.

research Androgen Metabolism as It Affects Hair Growth in Androgenetic Alopecia

143 citations, October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Too much androgen can cause hair loss; finasteride may help.

Similar Research

5 / 1000+ results

research S1 Guideline for Diagnostic Evaluation in Androgenetic Alopecia in Men, Women, and Adolescents

151 citations, August 2010 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Guidelines for diagnosing common hair loss include detailed history, clinical examination, and various diagnostic techniques.

research Alopecia: Managing the Basics

July 2015 in “Cambridge University Press eBooks”

The document concludes that treatments for female hair loss and excess body hair are available, but managing expectations is important.

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 Comorbid Laboratory Abnormalities in Female Pattern Hair Loss Patients

July 2022 in “Dermatologica Sinica”

Many women with hair loss also have zinc deficiency, iron depletion, or thyroid issues.

research Clinical Approach to the Patient With Alopecia

21 citations, March 2006 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

Most hair loss disorders can be accurately diagnosed and treated in an outpatient setting.

A Study of Serum Ferritin and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Levels in Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia

Research cited in this study

research Norman Orentreich, The Father of Hair Transplantation

research Frequency, Severity, and Related Factors of Androgenetic Alopecia in Dermatology Outpatient Clinic: Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Turkey

research Iron Plays a Certain Role in Patterned Hair Loss

research A Descriptive Study of Alopecia Patterns and Their Relation to Thyroid Dysfunction

research Prevalence of Androgenetic Alopecia in China: A Community-Based Study in Six Cities

research Male Androgenetic Alopecia: Population-Based Study in 1,005 Subjects

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

research Male Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia in an Indian Context: A Perspective Study

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 Causes of Hair Loss and Developments in Hair Rejuvenation

research The Biology of Hair Follicles

research Androgen Metabolism as It Affects Hair Growth in Androgenetic Alopecia

Related Community Posts Join

community C’est terrible - at my wits end

community Calling out diffuse thinners here -- Have you ruled out other factors?

community Just found a little hard lump under my left nipple, it’s over

community Pre-Finisteride DHT & Hormone Blood Panel

community Interpreting pre-finisteride blood panels

community What are all the blood work that can be checked for potential causes of hair loss?

Similar Research

research S1 Guideline for Diagnostic Evaluation in Androgenetic Alopecia in Men, Women, and Adolescents

research Alopecia: Managing the Basics

research Decreased Serum Ferritin Is Associated With Alopecia in Women

research Comorbid Laboratory Abnormalities in Female Pattern Hair Loss Patients

research Clinical Approach to the Patient With Alopecia