Iron deficiency hair loss (2023) | Can Hair loss be reversed?

Its primary function in our body is to help produce red blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs throughout the body – including our hair follicles.

Moreover, iron improves your energy levels, nourishes your muscles (including your heart), and boosts your immune system.

In simple words, it is all-around for your general fitness and well-being.

Suppose you do not have enough Iron in your body. In that case, you may develop a condition called iron deficiency anemia, which can cause your hair loss or shed.

Can Hair Loss Stop When Iron Deficiency Is Cured In The Body?

Examining 40 years of research reveals that iron deficiency has a much closer connection to hair loss than most doctors realize. It might be the best solution to restoring hair growth.

Moreover, the researcher finds that whatever the cause of hair loss — for both women and men — having an iron deficiency in the blood makes it worse.

If hair loss is caused by iron deficiency, it may be possible for hair to grow back once the deficiency is corrected. Thus, the iron levels initial screening might help hair loss patients, so consult your doctor to test your iron levels. And he will most likely order a “ferritin level Blood Test.

It is promising for regrowth because it suggests that the strands are not severely damaged in the early stage. In general, it is most common for hair to grow back slowly over a period of several months to a year once the underlying cause of the hair loss has been addressed.

How Do You Know Your Body Is Iron Deficit Or Low On Ferritin?

As we know, Iron plays a crucial role in making hemoglobin, which the body needs to function. There are several signs and symptoms that can indicate an iron deficiency or low ferritin levels,

But there are two most common non-hereditary reasons that indicate you have iron deficiency (low iron) or ferritin levels in your body.

The first one is low thyroid function, and the second is iron deficiency.

Both conditions are relatively common, particularly in women. However, both are entirely different conditions. But these two share some of the same symptoms.

Symptoms Of Iron Deficiency Anemia, which cause hair loss Include:

Brittle nails
Extreme fatigue or lack of energy
Fast heartbeat and shortness of breath
Pale skin
Inflammation or soreness of the tongue
Poor appetite, pale and dry skin
Cold hands and feet- indicate low thyroid and iron deficiency
Headache
Spoon-shaped nails
Dry and damaged hair
Hair loss

These sicknesses can immediately be diagnosed with a simple blood test. Also, they can be easily fixed, either with replacement thyroid hormones or iron supplements.

While hair loss is not a specific symptom of iron deficiency, some people may be experiencing it.

For instance, a person suspects their iron levels are too low. In that case, they should visit a doctor to perform blood tests to determine an anemic.

And your doctor will recommend you test Ferritin in the blood to check total body iron stores in your body.

What Is Ferritin? How it Iron deficiency cause hair loss?

Ferritin is a protein that performs an essential role in storing Iron in our bodies. When the body does not have enough iron, it may not produce enough healthy red blood cells, which can lead to a condition known as iron deficiency anemia.

Ferritin levels in the body can be used as an indicator of iron stores, with lower levels of ferritin indicating a lower level of iron stores in the body. The hair loss associated with iron deficiency anemia may be diffuse, meaning it affects the entire scalp rather than specific areas, and may cause the hair to become thin and brittle.

Thus, the body requires a ferritin level of at least 50 – 70 ng/mL to help replenish hair.

How Much Of Ferritin Needed For Hair loss Reverse?

Ferritin’s need for women is 10-120 ng/ML, and for men, it is 30-250 ng/mL.

If you ask, why should a male need lower Ferritin than a female?

Because most likely, women who have heavy menstrual periods or childbearing age become Iron deficient quickly.

The researcher indicates that if you are a healthy woman with hair loss, you can think of having an iron deficiency. It is especially true for women with alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, and diffuse hair loss.

Even though people are prone to develop hereditary hair loss, it worsens if their iron levels are low. You may think this way; if the hair follicles grow so much, they need much Iron.

What Iron Deficiency Hair Loss Look Like?

Most studies were conducted to evaluate the relationship between Iron and hair loss.

These results show that Iron may play an essential role in hair loss, particularly in premenopausal female pattern hair loss (FPHL).

It is also known as androgenetic alopecia.

Hair Loss Or Hair Thinning From The Scalp [Hair Loss From the Middle Of The Head]

Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) refers to thinning hair in the middle of the scalp.

People with this hair loss pattern may also have thinning or receding hair on the hairline at their forehead.

Research has determined that iron’s role is not exact yet can cause hair loss in men or women. However, they discovered that people undergoing hair loss were deficient in iron.

Will Hair Loss From Iron Deficiency Grow Back? Or What Is Iron Deficiency Hair Loss Recovery Time?

Some studies show that if you replenish iron supplements to hair-loss patients, they are more likely to reverse (regrow) hair or stop hair shedding.

Hairs are rapidly reproducing organs with much demand for blood supply.

Prior to experiencing considerable hair regrowth, it will typically take many months and maybe even a full year for ferritin levels to reach acceptable.

Eating a healthy diet rich in iron-rich foods or taking an iron supplement will help to repair the deficit and promote hair growth.

The hair can take months to return, so it’s crucial to have patience.

How To Prevent Iron Deficiency Hair Loss And Improve Hair Health In Your Daily Routine?

There are a few steps to control future hair loss due to iron deficiency should:

Eat healthy iron-rich food:

Try to take iron-rich foods like spinach, peas, lean proteins such as meat, poultry- dried fruit.

When you go for the groceries, try to look at the phrase “iron-fortified” on the label of packaged food such as cereals.

Take Foods High In Vitamin C To Your Diet:

These foods allow your body to absorb in more efficiently, such as oranges, strawberries, melons, broccoli, and tomatoes.

Avoid Traction:

Traction alopecia is hair loss caused by repeatedly pulling on your hair. Hair loss can occur if you often wear a hairband in a tight ponytail, bun, or braids, mainly if you use chemicals or heat on your hair.

Protect Your Hair With Scarves And Hats:

Keep your hair covered with a cloth or cap on very sunny and windy days.

Be Gentle With Your Hair While Brushing And Washing:

Being gentle can help you avoid pulling out excess hair during routine maintenance.

Use Fewer Chemicals And Hair Dyes:

Avoid harsh chemical products such as hair colors or fizz spray. Take help or advice from a trained professional hairdresser.

Avoid Heat-Based Equipment Like Blow Dryers And Curling Irons:

If you have to use heat-based tools. Try adding a layer of protection like hair-protectant gel or spray, which you can buy from any supermarket or drug store.

What Is The Possibility Of Hair Loss Caused By Iron Deficiency?

Due to the iron deficiency losing hair only lasts temporarily. It’s always the best way to treat your problem to visit your doctor to discuss treatment options and quickly get you on track to good health.

Your doctor can help you improve your diet to get the correct quantity of iron for Iron needs.

Recommended Iron Intake Do You Need In A Daily Routine To Regrow Your Hair?

Although it is not an excellent approach to take iron supplements yourself unless you know you need them.

It is better to make sure your diet contains sufficient iron to strongly your requirements.

According to The US Department of Health and Human Service Studies, Here are the suggested daily allowances for different age groups:

Teenage girls; 15 mg/day
Adolescent boys; 11 mg/day
Adult men and post-menopausal women; 8 mg/day
Menstruating women; 18 mg/day
Pregnant women; 27 mg/day

The most prone groups to iron deficiency are adolescent girls and premenopausal or pregnant women.

Where Can You Get Enough Iron To Treat Iron-Deficiency Anemia?

Dietary Changes:

Eating more dietary iron can Iron help boost Iron levels in your body.

Iron-Rich Foods Include;

[Iron-Rich Food To Fight Anemia]

Meat and poultry: beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, and duck, specifically organ meats such as the liver.
Fish, particularly shellfish, sardines, and anchovies
Leafy green also plays a vital role, such as broccoli, kale, turnip greens, and collard greens.
Legumes (a member of the pea family) contains lima beans, peas, pinto beans, and black-eyed peas
Iron-enriched portions of pasta, grains, rice, and cereals

Iron Supplements:

Without knowing that you are an iron deficiency anemia, taking an over-the-counter iron supplement can potentially harm your health.

Thus, do not take iron supplements unless a doctor has advised you to have an iron deficiency.

Because iron supplements cause constipation and gastrointestinal upset, orange juice or vitamin C can help absorb if taken together with the iron.

It is safe when used appropriately; if you take a too-high vitamin C dose, your body eliminates it — but iron does not work that way.

Your body can not get rid of iron quickly If you are not deficient, your body can get iron overload, which can be dangerous.

Intravenous:

In some cases, a doctor may recommend intravenous (IV) iron to faster increase iron levels.

IV iron may be essential to treat patients who cannot absorb iron properly.

A patient with a gastrointestinal tract disease or chronic blood loss receives supplemental erythropoietin (a hormone that stimulates blood production) or cannot orally tolerate iron.

If you need intravenous iron, your doctor will prescribe you infusion under the supervision of a hematologist. IV iron comes in various preparations:

Iron dextran;
Iron sucrose
Ferric gluconate

In the case of iron dextran, large iron doses can be Infused at one time.
Iron sucrose and ferric gluconate need more regular doses for several weeks.

Keep In Mind-

Sometimes, patients may be allergic to intravenous iron. Thus, if you previously had an allergic reaction, you should immediately tell your doctor when he prescribed intravenous doses.

The Bottom Line:

In Short, a good nutritional diet, such as iron-rich foods, can help keep both you and your hair glossy and healthy.

Furthermore, if you are losing excessive hair, it can signal nutrient deficiency or other conditions.

Suppose your hair loss is related to low ferritin. In that case, your hair should grow back once the underlying iron deficiency is treated.

Still, it can take several months for the hair to regrow. So patience is the key. avoid using any hair growth treatment unless otherwise directed by your doctor

Especially iron because excessive supplementation can cause iron overload, which could be harmful to your body.

Frequently Ask Questions?

Q. Will taking iron help with hair loss?

A. Iron deficiency can cause hair loss, so taking iron supplements may help with hair loss if you are iron deficient. However, it’s important to note that hair loss can also be caused by various other factors, including certain medications, hormonal imbalances, and medical conditions.

If you are experiencing hair loss, it is a good idea to speak with a healthcare provider to determine the cause and the most appropriate treatment.

Q. What deficiencies cause hair loss?

A. A variety of nutrient deficiencies can cause hair loss, including deficiencies in iron, protein, and certain vitamins.

Iron deficiency, also known as anemia, is a common cause of hair loss. Iron is necessary for producing hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells that helps carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues in the body. When the body does not have enough iron, it may not produce enough healthy red blood cells, which can lead to hair loss.

Protein deficiency can also cause hair loss. Hair is made up of a protein called keratin, and a diet that does not provide enough protein can cause the hair to become weak and brittle, leading to hair loss.

Certain vitamin deficiencies can also cause hair loss. For example, a deficiency in vitamin A can lead to a dry, flaky scalp, which can contribute to hair loss. A deficiency in vitamin D can also cause hair loss, as can a deficiency in vitamin B12.

Suppose you are experiencing hair loss and are concerned about nutrient deficiencies. In that case, speaking with a healthcare provider is a good idea. They can help determine the cause of the hair loss and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Q: How can I tell if I’m low on iron?

A. There are several signs and symptoms that can indicate an iron deficiency, including:

Fatigue or weakness
Pale skin
Heart palpitations or rapid heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Headaches
Cold hands and feet
Brittle nails
Spoon-shaped nails
Dry and damaged hair
Hair loss

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should speak with a healthcare provider. They can perform a blood test to determine if you have an iron deficiency and recommend appropriate treatment options. Correcting an iron deficiency as soon as possible is essential, as it can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.

Q: What does low ferritin hair loss look like?

A. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body. Low ferritin levels, a condition known as ferritin deficiency, can lead to iron deficiency anemia and cause hair loss. The hair loss associated with low ferritin levels may be diffuse, meaning it affects the entire scalp rather than specific areas and may cause the hair to become thin and brittle.

If you are experiencing hair loss and suspect that you may have low ferritin levels, it is a good idea to speak with a healthcare provider. They can perform a blood test to determine your ferritin levels and recommend appropriate treatment options.

If your hair loss is caused by low ferritin levels, it may be possible for your hair to grow back once the deficiency is corrected. However, the rate at which hair grows and the extent of hair loss can be reversed depending individual and the underlying cause of the deficiency.