Hair Loss In Women With Iron Deficiency

Researchers over the past 15 plus years have found that there is a strong correlation between hair loss and low iron stores as a large proportion of women reporting hair loss had low ferritin (iron storage) levels, compared with the levels generally found in women without hair loss.

One reason for this ferritin deficiency was shown to be due to the loss of blood during menstruation which, in some women, was just enough to cause a gradual depletion of iron stores, particularly in women who did not eat adequate amounts of iron rich foods or take supplements.

Interestingly, it was the serum ferritin level that was linked with hair loss, rather than the hemoglobin level. Serum ferritin is a measure of the total iron stores in the body, whilst the hemoglobin level measures the amount of iron circulating in red blood cells.

Low hemoglobin levels can indicate anemia. Therefore, it is possible to have a low serum ferritin level and not be anemic. This is because the body tries to maintain a good hemoglobin level, drawing iron from its stores.

Further research has shown that if the iron deficiency is corrected and the serum ferritin level raised, hair growth will improve. This improvement takes several months because the ferritin levels can only be raised gradually and once the correct level is reached and hair growth starts, it takes 2-3 months for the shedding to reduce and another 3-6 months for the new hair to reach a length that contributes to hair volume.

NOTE: Talk to your physician or health care professional before taking iron, or any other dietary supplements.