Anemia and hair loss: understanding the link

A study published in the Journal of Korean Medical Science indicates the link between hair loss and iron deficiency. It says iron deficiency anemia can be the potential cause for androgenic alopecia in men or male pattern baldness and thinning of hair in women (1). 

Loss of hair is not a life-threatening condition, but it can affect your quality of life. It can affect people of any age and gender. Hair is rapidly growing in our body and needs a continuous supply of nutrition and blood.  The most common nutritional causes of hair loss include iron, the key micronutrient for metabolism in our body. Also, iron deficiency (ID) is associated with many pathological conditions such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

Why Iron Deficiency Causes Hair Loss?

Iron deficiency is the most common deficiency faced worldwide. Lack of iron in your body leads to an inability to produce hemoglobin. The hemoglobin carries oxygen to all the cells of your body, including hair, for growth and repair. Lack of hemoglobin leads to reduced nutrients and oxygen supply to your hair cells, causing hair fall.

Signs and Symptoms

In the human body, iron is mainly stored as hemoglobin, and to a lesser extent, it is present as ferritin and hemosiderin in the bone marrow, liver, and spleen (2). In the initial stages of iron deficiency, you may not experience any signs or symptoms. 
It may start with symptoms like (3);

• Pale or yellow skin
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Sore tongue
• Increased heart rate
• Pica - a desire to eat non-food items like clay, dirt, ice, etc.

Scientifically there is not enough evidence to link between iron deficiency and hair loss. Recent evidence indicates a potential link between lack of iron and telogen effluvium, a temporary hair loss seen in women due to severe mental stress (3).

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you think you are suffering from iron deficiency and it is causing hair loss, you should consult your doctor. Trying to self-diagnose and taking iron supplements may result in some severe complications. Getting yourself evaluated by a health care professional and undergoing needed tests is the right approach in treating this condition. 

A blood test done to evaluate serum ferritin levels is considered one of the most efficient tests for diagnosing iron deficiency anemia (4). Also, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels need to be checked. 

Once the iron deficiency is confirmed a more mindful approach is needed to treat hair loss. Treating the underlying cause of hair loss is the best approach to treating this condition. Most of the time, hair loss due to iron deficiency is a temporary condition. Along with iron supplements eating a balanced diet containing iron-rich food can help to treat this condition. 

According to a report published by American Hair Loss Association, Americans spend more than 3.5 billion dollars a year on hair care products, and unfortunately, 99% of them are ineffective (5). Instead of trying such products, follow guidelines provided by FDA and health professionals to get effective treatment for your hair loss.

Make changes in your diet and consume more iron-rich food. Also, iron supplements and certain medication, when taken with the doctor’s approval, can significantly improve your condition.

Ideal Iron Levels for Healthy Hair

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for iron (6);

*Note that during pregnancy and lactation, the daily iron requirement increases. 

Iron deficiency is commonly seen in premenopausal women due to blood loss, and in people having malabsorption syndrome (celiac disease). Also, vegetarians are at higher risk of experiencing an iron deficiency. Non-heme iron, found in plants, has a lower bioavailability than heme iron, found in meat and fish (7).

Preventive Measures

Hair loss is a common problem faced by many that affect the psychological aspects of a person. Though nutritional deficiency can be the reason for hair loss, there are many other factors that may contribute to this condition. 

Follow these preventive measures to prevent further hair loss;

• Eat nutritious, healthy food. Iron-rich foods include red meat, poultry, seafood, green leafy vegetables, peas, and legumes. Including these foods in your diet can help you meet your daily iron requirement. 
• Add vitamin C to your diet. Vitamin C helps your body to absorb iron efficiently. 
• Protect your hair from pollution. Try to keep your hair covered during sunny and windy days. Also, avoid tight rubber bands or strong chemicals.
• Follow a regular hair care routine. Brush and wash your hair regularly and use gentle hair wash products.
• Avoid frequent blow dryer or ironing products. Heat-based equipment can harm your hair quality. 
• Use more natural products. Using more natural products like coconut hair oil for massage, onion juice, aloe vera gel, and hibiscus extracts can help to reduce hair fall. 

Risks of Taking Too Much Iron

Consuming iron in high doses can harm your health. Some of the risk factors include;

1. Iron poisoning

When you consume high doses of iron supplements, it might lead to iron poisoning. It can result in side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, dehydration, abdominal pain. If you experience any of these symptoms after using iron supplements, report it to your physician immediately; sometimes, it might be fatal (8).

2. Hereditary hemochromatosis

Hereditary hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder that is caused due to excessive intestinal absorption of dietary iron. Increased iron content is seen in the skin, heart, liver, pancreas, pituitary gland, and joints. Too much iron is toxic and damages your organs and leads to secondary health issues such as cirrhosis, external icon, hepatocellular carcinoma, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and diabetes.

Increased iron content results in several symptoms such as

• Feeling of tiredness or weakness,
• Weight loss,
• Joint pain,
• Bronze or grey skin color,
• Abdominal pain, and
• Loss of sex drive (9)

3. African iron overload

Iron overload is commonly seen in the African region populations; this is due to traditional fermented beverages rich in iron content. Due to excessive consumption of this alcoholic beverage, HFE hemochromatosis, hepatic portal fibrosis, and micronodular cirrhosis are experienced (10).

4. Iron overload increases the risk of diabetes

Iron overload increases the risk of diabetes. Experts suggest that hemochromatosis patients generally develop diabetes mellitus. This also contributes to pathogenesis such as beta-cell damage, insulin resistance, and other underlying genetic problems that lead to diabetes (11) (12).

Final Words

Although there are several reasons for hair loss, experts suggest that iron deficiency plays a significant role in hair loss. However, there is no enough data that proves hair loss can only be due to iron deficiency. People with hair loss have been observed to have reduced levels of iron. If you are experiencing hair loss, increasing your iron content in your body can help to improve the condition.