Role of Iron Deficiency in Chronic Diffuse Hair Loss

Abstract

There are conflicting reports of association between iron deficiency and hair loss in the literature. So we conducted this study to evaluate the role of iron deficiency in chronic diffuse hair loss in women of reproductive age group. Serum ferritin, a marker of iron deficiency, was recorded in 150 consecutive patients of chronic diffuse hair loss (FPHL n=69, CTE n=81) and in healthy controls (n=100). The mean serum ferritin (SF) recorded was 9.87, 10.80, 10.30 and 11.20 ng/mL for FPHL, CTE, total patients (FPHL and CTE) and control group respectively, and it did not show any significant difference between these groups. Number of patients who recorded a serum ferritin label of less than 10 ng/mL (normal range 10-126ng/mL) were 48 (69.51%), 51 (62%), 99 (66%) and 63 (63%) for FPHL, CTE, total patients and controls respectively, and this also did not reveal any significant difference between the groups. We did not find any association between low serum ferritin (iron deficiency) and chronic diffuse hair loss in women of reproductive age group.

Thyroid Functions in Patients with Diffuse Hair Loss

“…In a similar vein, Shrivastava (14) discovered a substantial difference in the incidence of aberrant thyroid function between patients and controls (TSH). When compared to the prevalence in the control group (4%), their study found a significant incidence of impaired thyroid function (11.50%).…”

“…Circulating T4 mostly affects peripheral organs, such as human hair follicles, after deionizing to T3 (10) . Additionally, T3 and T4 both greatly promote the production of intrafollicular melanin (14) . Important hair follicle processes include anagen phase prolongation, activation of the hair matrix, keratinocyte proliferation and pigmentation, and modulation of intracellular keratin expression are all directly influenced by T3 and T4 (15) .…”