Can Low Iron Levels Cause Hair Loss?
I’m trying to determine if I’m [tag]balding[/tag] due to genetics or an [tag]iron deficiency[/tag]. Can [tag]hair loss[/tag] really be caused by a lack of iron in the body?
This question was posed by a hair loss sufferer seeking [tag]hair loss help[/tag] on our hair restoration forum and answered by Dr. Steven Gabel of Hillsboro, OR who is an elite member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians. His professional answer is below.
Iron deficiency is a real cause of hair loss. I have seen several cases of iron deficiency as a causative factor for [tag]alopecia[/tag] in women. When I see women for hair loss, one of the things I investigate, along with other blood tests, is their iron levels. For men, a blood work up is rare, however, if their history and examination are not consistent with [tag]androgenetic alopecia[/tag], then I will investigate further.
A while back, I went to a lecture about hair loss by an expert dermatologist who specializes in alopecia (she was one of the original physicians in the phase trials for [tag]Propecia[/tag] before it went to market) and she reports that even low iron levels contributes to hair loss. Women do have a higher degree of iron loss because of their monthly cycles, but I think you may want to have your physician work this up.
Steven Gabel, M.D.
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Bill
Associate Publisher/Editor
November 20, 2010 @ 8:41 am
Iron is essential to our body’s normal functioning. I was thinking this topic was about hair irons, so anyways, I’m fit to bounce…
July 23, 2009 @ 2:02 pm
Iron is critical. My wife and I use Therapy-G. She had an iron deficiency and she takes the Therapy-G hair vitamin which contains 100% of the daily value of Iron amongst other vitamins.
P.s. It easy to tell if it has the correct amount of iron in it because it would have to have a child proof cap on it (by Law in USA)