Clinicoepidemiological Observational Study of Acquired Alopecias in Females Correlating with Anemia and Thyroid Function

In the 2016 study of 135 Indian females with acquired alopecia, telogen effluvium was the most prevalent form of hair loss, with stress, chemical applications, systemic medications, and pregnancy as common exacerbating factors. The study found no significant statistical correlation between alopecia and anemia, as 73.4% of patients had low hemoglobin levels but a majority had serum ferritin levels above 12 µg/L. Additionally, 17% of the patients had thyroid disorders, but this was not significantly correlated with alopecia. The study suggested that vitamin B12 deficiency might be a cause of iron deficiency in the vegetarian majority. It concluded that routine serum ferritin estimation and iron supplementation might not be necessary in managing hair loss, but thyroid function tests could be useful for women with persistent hair loss to identify and treat any underlying thyroid issues.