Iron is an essential mineral that your body needs for many processes, including the transport of oxygen in the blood and the production of enzymes as well as the building of proteins and bones. One of the effects of a deficiency of iron is hair loss. Fortunately, in most cases you can easily treat this cause of hair loss.
Cause
There are several causes of iron deficiency, including a decreased ability to absorb iron, loss of blood, inadequate intake of iron and an increased need for iron, such as during pregnancy.
Symptoms
Symptoms of iron deficiency include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, brittle nails, hair loss, shortness of breath, arrhythmia, pica and headache. Hair loss caused by iron deficiency typically occurs rapidly, rather than slowly over time such as in hair loss caused by genetics.
Diagnosis
Proper diagnosis of hair loss should be done by a physician such as a dermatologist. Your doctor may ask you questions about your medical history including history of chronic diseases, recent illnesses, hair care, medications, diet, allergies, pregnancies, menstrual cycles and family history. A physical exam of the hair and scalp should also be performed to assess the pattern of hair loss. Iron deficiency may or may not lead to a health condition known as anemia, which occurs when your body is not able to transport oxygen in the blood. Your doctor may order blood work to determine if you are anemic, including a hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron, serum ferritin and transferrin saturation. Additional tests may be ordered to determine the exact cause of iron deficiency.
Treatment
It is important for the exact cause of iron deficiency to be determined so proper treatment can be initiated. Most people with hair loss related to iron deficiency anemia can be treated with iron supplements that are prescribed by a physician or available over the counter. The decision to treat hair loss caused by iron deficiency without anemia is controversial. Currently the CDC does not recommend treatment for iron deficiency without anemia.
Prevention
The CDC recommends that you eat a balanced diet with iron-rich foods to prevent iron deficiency. Good sources of iron include beef, lamb, duck, oysters, clams, shrimp, fish, liver, eggs, lentils, fortified cereals, seeds, nuts, molasses, beans, sardines and chickpeas. According to the CDC, the recommended daily allowance of iron for healthy males 19 years and older is 8 mg a day, women age 19 to 50 is 18 mg, women 51 years and older is 8 mg and pregnant women is 27 mg a day.
Expert Insight
The National Institutes of Health recommends that you see your doctor if you experience thinning of the hair in an abnormal pattern, rapid thinning of hair, hair loss at an early age, itching or pain of the scalp with hair loss, scaling of the scalp, symptoms of iron deficiency or bloody stools.
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