A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study Evaluating Hemoglobin, Iron Profile, and Thyroid Function Tests in Women with Telogen Effluvium, Female Pattern Hair Loss, and Alopecia Areata
April 2021
in “
Nepal journal of dermatology, venereology & leprology
”
TLDR Iron profile tests are recommended for women with hair loss, as haemoglobin levels alone are not reliable.
This hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted at Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital investigated haemoglobin, iron profile, and thyroid function in 80 women with telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, and female pattern hair loss. The most common diagnosis was telogen effluvium (61.25%), followed by alopecia areata (22.5%) and female pattern hair loss (16.25%). While mean haemoglobin levels were normal, inadequate ferritin levels were found in 77.55% of telogen effluvium, 88.89% of alopecia areata, and 84.61% of female pattern hair loss patients. Thyroid abnormalities were less common, with over 75% of patients being euthyroid. The study concluded that haemoglobin levels do not accurately reflect iron status in females with acquired alopecia, recommending iron profile investigations for all affected women.