Trichotillomania Associated with a 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Deficiency: A Case Report

January 2020 in “ The mental health clinician ”

Erika Titus-Lay, Tony J. Eid, Tiffany-Jade Kreys, Bo Xuan Joshua Chu, Ashim Malhotra

Trichotillomania vitamin D deficiency vitamin D3 25-hydroxyvitamin D hair-pulling disorder hair loss serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels vitamin D

From the encyclopedia

cholecalciferol →

Vitamin D →

vitamin you should probably be taking for general health might also help your hair a little

Studysummary This case report found that vitamin D3 supplementation may improve hair growth and reduce hair-pulling behavior in patients with trichotillomania, as observed in two female patients over 3 to 4 months. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

In 2019, a case report studied two female patients with Trichotillomania, a compulsive hair-pulling disorder, who also had a deficiency in vitamin D. After daily supplementation of 1000 IU of vitamin D3 for 3 to 4 months, both patients showed a reduction in hair-pulling behavior and hair loss, and an increase in their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. This suggested that vitamin D supplementation could potentially improve hair growth and reduce hair-pulling behavior in Trichotillomania patients. However, the exact relationship between vitamin D and Trichotillomania's pathophysiology was not well understood, indicating a need for further research.

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research The Role of Vitamin D in Non-Scarring Alopecia

32 citations , December 2017 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

This review suggests that decreased serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels may play a role in different types of non-scarring alopecia, but further studies are needed to explore vitamin D supplementation as a therapeutic option.

research Trichotillomania: Differences From OCD and Treatment Approaches

219 citations , September 2016 in “American Journal of Psychiatry”

This article reviews trichotillomania, highlighting its differences from OCD and recommending treatments like habit reversal therapy and specific medications, but reports no new clinical results.

1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Modulates the Hair-Inductive Capacity of Dermal Papilla Cells: Therapeutic Potential for Hair Regeneration

research 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Modulates the Hair-Inductive Capacity of Dermal Papilla Cells: Therapeutic Potential for Hair Regeneration

32 citations , July 2012 in “Stem Cells Translational Medicine”

In this study, VD(3) pretreatment increased hair follicle formation in a rat model by promoting dermal papilla cell differentiation, suggesting potential for hair regeneration therapy.

research Does D Matter? The Role of Vitamin D in Hair Disorders and Hair Follicle Cycling

98 citations , February 2010 in “Dermatology Online Journal”

This article outlines the potential for upregulating the vitamin D receptor in treating hair disorders, emphasizing the need for further studies to evaluate vitamin D's role in the hair cycle.

research Behavioral Characterization of Vitamin D Receptor Knockout Mice

166 citations , February 2005 in “Behavioural brain research”

This study found that VDR knockout mice exhibited muscle and motor impairments affecting locomotor behavior, while cognitive functions such as exploration, working memory, and anxiety appeared unaffected.