Can low iron cause alopecia?

The amount of iron in your diet is important. Insufficient iron levels in the body over a significant period can cause iron deficiency anaemia. Some common symptoms of iron deficiency show up as fatigue and weakness, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat and even hair loss to name a few. Low iron levels can reduce oxygen supply to the scalp, leading to hair thinning and loss. Lets take a look into how this is possible.

📋 Role of iron in the human body

• Transport oxygen around the body

Iron plays an important role in producing red blood cells which contain a protein called haemoglobin. This protein can carry oxygen from your lungs to all the cells in your body, including hair follicles so they can work properly. Haemoglobin is partly made from iron and accounts for about two-thirds of the body’s iron.

• Myoglobin

Myoglobin is a special protein that helps store oxygen in muscle cells. Myoglobin contains iron and is responsible for the red colour of muscle.

• Enzymes

Many enzymes throughout the body contain iron, including those involved in energy production. Enzymes are catalysts (increase the rate of chemical reactions) that drive many cell functions.

• Immune system

Proper functioning of the immune system relies, in part, on sufficient iron. The immune system helps us fight infection.

📋 How does iron deficiency cause hair loss?

To answer this question we first need to explain what ferritin is. Ferritin is a blood protein that contains iron and the level of this protein determines how much iron the body is storing. If a ferritin test shows that the blood ferritin level is low it means the body has low iron stores.

Hair follicles contain ferritin, but when levels are low it can impact the hair’s ability to grow properly. This often results in thinning hair or hair loss. Hair loss can gradually develop over time or suddenly, taking you by surprise.

Clinical studies have shown that low iron levels can be linked to iron deficiency hair loss. When the body has low iron stores it can also disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to a condition known as telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium is a type of temporary hair loss, characterised by an increased shedding of hair due to a shift in the hair growth cycle.

An iron deficiency can disrupt the telogen phase of the hair cycle causing a higher percentage of hair follicles to enter this phase, resulting in more hair being shed than normal. This may lead to noticeable hair thinning and hair loss.

📊 Signs of iron deficiency

• Fatigue
• Pale skin
• Brain fog
• Palpitations
• Dizziness and headaches
• Low mood
• Susceptible to infections

🧍‍♀️ How to ensure you have enough iron in your body

Lifestyle adjustments, dietary changes and self-care can help maintain hair health, reducing the risk of hair loss.

Maintain a balanced diet

Maintaining a well-balanced diet with supplements such as vitamins, minerals, and proteins, are essential for healthy hair. Make sure you include foods rich in zinc, iron, biotin, and omega-3 to support healthy hair.

A simple way to improve iron levels is to increase dietary iron intake by consuming heme and non-heme sources of iron. Heme iron is found in animal products and is better absorbed by the body and non- heme iron is found in plant based foods. Make sure you include the following iron-rich foods in your diet every day to prevent iron deficiency anaemia:

• Iron-fortified cereals
• Red meat
• Oysters
• Dark leafy greens
• Green vegetables
• Lentils and beans
• Eggs
• Dried fruit, such as dried apricots, prunes and raisins

Foods rich in Vitamin C are important to include in the diet when iron is low, as it helps with iron absorption. These include:

• Citrus foods such as oranges
• Strawberries
• Brussel sprouts
• Broccoli
• Blackcurrants
• Peppers
• Calcium rich foods like milk, cheese and yoghurt

Important tips:

• Avoid foods high in tannins like coffee or tea

Supplementation

When ferritin levels are low, taking an iron supplement is useful as a treatment option. Do not take iron supplements without the advice of your healthcare provider as too much iron can be harmful too.

Manage stress

Find ways to manage your stress. Relaxation techniques, exercise, and talking to family and friends can all help reduce stress levels and its impact on your hair health.

Practice good hair care

Avoid excessive heat styling, chemical treatments, and hairstyles that pull on the hair. Also, use wide-toothed combs and avoid excessive hair brushing when the hair is wet.

🦠  Other causes of hair loss

Understanding the cause of your hair loss is important when treating your condition. Low levels of iron have been linked to hair loss as discussed above, but other causes of hair loss include the following:

Hereditary hair loss

The most common cause of hair loss is due to genetics, which can affect both men and women. Hair loss in men usually starts as a receding hairline and thinning of the hair on the top of the head. For women, however, hair thinning hair is over the entire scalp without a receding hairline.

Stress

Stress, both physical and emotional can cause a type of hair loss known as telogen effluvium. This is where hair enters the resting phase of growth (telogen phase). The result is an excessive amount of shedding of hair. This is usually only short-term, with hair growth returning to normal once the stress has cleared.

Blood loss

Heavy periods, regular blood donation, blood loss during surgery, bowel polyps or cancer can result in hair loss.

Other medical conditions

Hair loss can be a result of certain other medical conditions, such as autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata or lupus. Other conditions include, changes in hormone levels, thyroid problems, ringworm of the scalp or anaemia. To treat the loss of hair, the underlying condition will need to be treated first.

Medications

Hair loss can be a side effect when treated with certain medications. Medication for cancer treatment, high blood pressure, arthritis and depression are all known to cause hair loss.

🧪 Diagnosis of hair loss

Diagnosis will require an examination of your scalp, your medical history and your family history. Blood tests may also be carried out to identify any medical conditions or deficiencies that may be contributing to your hair loss.

Here are some of the things that may be done if low levels of iron are suspected for hair loss:

• A complete blood count test (CBC test) that checks the red and white blood cells, platelets and other components
• Examination of red blood cells under a microscope. Red blood cells contain a protein called haemoglobin, which carries oxygen around the body
• Iron levels in the blood will be measured
• Transferrin levels in the blood will be measured. Transferrin is the protein that carries iron
• Ferritin levels in the blood will be measured. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron

👩‍🦱 Supporting hair regrowth

• Minoxidil: Topical hair loss treatments containing minoxidil, a medication that stimulates hair growth, can be used in conjunction with addressing the underlying anaemia to promote hair regrowth
• Laser therapy: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been shown to enhance blood circulation and stimulate the hair follicles, potentially aiding in hair regrowth for individuals with anaemia-related hair loss
• Nutritional supplements: In addition to addressing the anaemia, healthcare providers may recommend taking supplements containing biotin, zinc, and other nutrients that support healthy hair growth

📈  When to seek medical attention

Speak to a dermatologist or healthcare professional if you have significant hair loss or notice any concerning symptoms associated with hair loss. Signs that indicate you may need medical attention include:

• Rapid or severe hair loss
• Patchy hair loss or bald spots
• Pain or itching and hair loss
• A change in the feel or appearance of your scalp
• Hair loss accompanied by weight gain, muscle weakness, or changes in your menstrual cycle

Sources

• Does Iron Deficiency Cause Hair Loss?
• Iron Plays a Certain Role in Patterned Hair Loss – PMC
• Iron deficiency anemia – Diagnosis & treatment – Mayo Clinic