A Clinical Study of Premature Graying and Its Association with Hemoglobin, Ferritin, and Calcium Levels

May 2022 in “ Indian Journal of Dermatology ”

Sruthi Chandran, Sheena Ann Simon, Anuja Elizabeth George

premature hair greying PHG hemoglobin ferritin calcium Anti Thyroid Peroxidase Anti TPO premature canities

Studysummary This study found that premature hair greying may be associated with low serum ferritin and raised anti-TPO levels.

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The study examined the relationship between premature hair greying (PHG) and levels of hemoglobin, ferritin, and calcium in 40 patients aged 2.5 to 25 years. It found a significant association between low ferritin levels and PHG, with 17.5% of patients showing low ferritin (P = 0.008). Elevated Anti TPO values were also significantly associated with PHG in 15% of patients (P < 0.001). However, low calcium and hemoglobin levels were not significantly linked to PHG. The study concluded that low ferritin might be an etiological factor in PHG, and suggested that addressing ferritin deficiency and thyroid dysfunction could potentially reverse PHG symptoms.

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