Telogen Effluvium in Daily Practice: Patient Characteristics, Laboratory Parameters, and Treatment Modalities of 3028 Patients

This retrospective study analyzed the records of 3028 patients with telogen effluvium (TE) and found that the most common laboratory abnormalities were low serum ferritin (92.8% of patients with levels less than 70 ng/ml) and vitamin D deficiency (72.2%). Other deficiencies included vitamin B12 (30.7%), folate (4.4%), and zinc (2.1%). Iron deficiency anemia was present in 6.7% of women and 6.2% of men. The study suggests that a routine work-up for TE should include a complete blood count, serum ferritin, vitamin B12 levels, and thyroid panel. Iron replacement was the most frequently ordered treatment (37.5% of prescriptions), and the study provides a diagnostic algorithm for TE, emphasizing its significance due to the large patient sample and detailed information provided. However, it does not include treatment outcomes.