Iron plays a certain role in patterned hair loss

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Nutritional Science
• Trichology

Background:

• The precise role of iron in hair loss remains unclear.
• Hair loss, encompassing female pattern hair loss (FPHPHL) and male pattern hair loss (MPHL), affects a significant population.
• Assessing iron status is crucial for understanding potential contributing factors to alopecia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between iron status and the prevalence of hair loss.
• To compare serum ferritin levels in patients with FPHL and MPHL against healthy controls.
• To determine if iron deficiency plays a role in different types of pattern hair loss.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective chart review of 210 patients diagnosed with FPHL (n=113) and MPHL (n=97).
• Serum analysis included ferritin concentration (FC), iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and thyroid function tests.
• Comparison with 210 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

Main Results:

• Patients with FPHL exhibited significantly lower serum ferritin concentrations (49.27 ± 55.8 µg/L) compared to healthy women (77.89 ± 48.32 µg/L) (P < 0.001).
• Premenopausal women with FPHL showed markedly lower serum ferritin levels than their age-matched controls (P < 0.001).
• Among MPHL patients, 22.7% had serum FC below 70 µg/L, a condition not observed in healthy males.

Conclusions:

• Iron deficiency, evidenced by low serum ferritin, appears to be a contributing factor in hair loss, especially in premenopausal FPHL.
• The findings suggest a potential role for iron in the pathogenesis of hair loss.
• Initial screening of iron status in individuals experiencing hair loss is recommended for comprehensive patient evaluation and management.