Serum Zinc Concentration in Patients With Alopecia Areata

October 2023 in “ Acta dermato-venereologica (Print) ”

Jovan Lalošević, Mirjana Gajić-Veljić, Jelena Lalosevic Misovic, Miloš Nikolić

alopecia areata serum zinc levels zinc deficiency hair follicles zinc supplementation

TLDR People with severe hair loss have lower zinc levels in their blood.

The study involved 32 patients with severe alopecia areata and 32 healthy controls. It was found that patients with alopecia areata had significantly lower serum zinc levels and a higher prevalence of zinc deficiency. There was a significant negative correlation between serum zinc levels and the severity of the disease. This suggests that assessing serum zinc levels is necessary in patients with alopecia areata, as low levels correlate with the severity of the condition. The authors recommend further studies to investigate the potential role of zinc supplementation in restoring hair follicles, especially in severe, treatment-resistant cases of alopecia areata.

View this study on medicaljournalssweden.se →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

13 / 13 results

research The Role of Serum Th1, Th2, and Th17 Cytokines in Patients with Alopecia Areata: Clinical Implications

37 citations , December 2021 in “Cells”

Alopecia areata severity and treatment response are linked to specific cytokine levels.

research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease of Multiple Players

31 citations , July 2021 in “ImmunoTargets and therapy”

Alopecia areata is an incurable autoimmune condition causing hair loss, with research aiming for better treatments.

research Immune Privilege Collapse And Alopecia Development: Is Stress A Factor

51 citations , December 2017 in “Skin Appendage Disorders”

Stress may trigger hair loss by affecting immune protection in hair follicles.

research Alopecia Areata: Current Situation and Perspectives

34 citations , October 2017 in “Archivos Argentinos De Pediatria”

Alopecia Areata is a complex, unpredictable autoimmune hair loss condition with limited treatment options and a significant psychological impact.

research Targeting of CXXC5 by a Competing Peptide Stimulates Hair Regrowth and Wound-Induced Hair Neogenesis

37 citations , June 2017 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Blocking a protein called CXXC5 with a specific peptide can stimulate hair regrowth and new hair growth in wounds.

research The Role of Micronutrients in Alopecia Areata: A Review

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.

research Changes of Serum Trace Elements Level in Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Meta-Analysis

23 citations , February 2017 in “Journal of dermatology”

Low serum levels of zinc and selenium may increase the risk of alopecia areata.

research Evaluation of Serum Zinc Level in Patients With Newly Diagnosed and Resistant Alopecia Areata

52 citations , July 2015 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

research Oral Zinc Sulfate in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata: A Double-Blind, Cross-Over Study

20 citations , January 2014 in “Journal of Clinical & Experimental Dermatology Research”

Oral zinc sulphate effectively treats alopecia areata with few side effects.

research Comparison of Zinc, Copper, and Iron Content in Hair and Serum in Alopecia Areata Patients with Normal Group

21 citations , January 2014 in “Dermatology Research and Practice”

Hair and serum levels of zinc, copper, and iron are similar in people with alopecia areata and healthy individuals.

research Analysis of Serum Zinc and Copper Concentrations in Hair Loss

73 citations , January 2013 in “Annals of Dermatology”

People with hair loss, especially those with certain types, have lower zinc levels, and zinc supplements might help.

research Dynamic Expression of the Zinc-Finger Transcription Factor Trps1 During Hair Follicle Morphogenesis and Cycling

46 citations , November 2007 in “Gene Expression Patterns”

research Element concentrations in serum, erythrocytes, hair and urine of alopecia patients

51 citations , March 1986 in “Acta Dermato Venereologica”

Alopecia patients had similar element levels to normal people, except for differences in copper and low selenium.

Related Research

4 / 4 results

research Case Report of Novel Combination of Anthralin and Calcipotriene Leading to Trichologic Response in Alopecia Areata

6 citations , March 2019 in “JAAD case reports”

A new mix of anthralin and calcipotriene might help treat severe hair loss.

research Alopecia Areata: A Multifactorial Autoimmune Condition

148 citations , December 2018 in “Journal of autoimmunity”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease causing patchy hair loss, often with other autoimmune disorders, but its exact causes are unknown.

research Linear Alopecia Areata

4 citations , November 2018 in “JAAD case reports”

Alopecia areata can sometimes appear as a straight line of hair loss instead of round patches.

research Treating Resistant Cases of Alopecia Universalis

May 2018 in “Journal of cosmetology & trichology”

Combining platelet-rich plasma therapy with prostaglandin-F eye drops can significantly regrow hair in alopecia universalis.