Telogen Effluvium With Dysesthesia Has Lower B12 Levels And May Respond To B12 Supplementation

The document reports on a study investigating the association between vitamin B12 levels and telogen effluvium with dysesthesia (TED), a subtype of telogen effluvium (TE) characterized by severe scalp symptoms such as itch, pain, soreness, burning, or formication without any inflammatory scalp disorder. A retrospective chart review of 45 patients with TED and a control group of 45 patients with TE found that B12 levels were significantly lower in the TED group (P = .03). An additional group of 10 new patients diagnosed with TED showed a mean B12 level of 404 pg/mL and responded positively to B12 supplementation, with decreased shedding and reduced or absent dysesthesia symptoms after treatment. The study suggests that B12 levels below 550 pg/mL may be associated with TED and that B12 supplementation could be a beneficial treatment for both TE and scalp dysesthesia in TED. It is recommended that B12 levels be checked in all patients with TED and that B12 supplementation be considered as a treatment option, particularly for those with levels below 550 pg/mL.