Significantly Low Serum Ferritin and Vitamin D Levels in Patients with Diffuse Hair Loss
1 Feb, 21
Introduction
Genetic predisposition, physiological stress, emotional stress, drugs, various medical conditions, and dietary deficiencies can lead to diffuse hair loss
Aim
To compare the serum levels of ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, zinc, thyroid-stimulating hormone and vitamin D in patients complaining of diffuse hair loss and in healthy individuals
Patient Profile
Patients with diffuse hair loss
Methods
- N= 54 patients with diffuse hair loss (47 females, 7 males)
- Control group = 55 healthy individuals (47 females, 8 males)
- Laboratory tests of each participant including serum levels of ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, zinc, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) were evaluated and compared with a control group
- Dermatological examinations of the scalp of the patients were normal, without any obvious abnormality
- The hair pull test was used to evaluate the severity of hair shedding
Results
- The two groups showed similar serum concentrations of folate, vitamin B12, zinc and thyroid-stimulating hormone
- Dermatological examinations of the scalp of the patients were normal, without any obvious abnormality
- Table 1 and 2 shows the laboratory tests of the participants revealed
Table 1 Laboratory test results of participants
Parameter |
Patients Mean ± SD |
Control group Mean ± SD |
P-value |
Vitamin B12 [pg/ml] |
291 ±233 |
330 ±247 |
0.18 |
Folate [ng/ml] |
5.97 ±1.92 |
6.07 ±2.29 |
0.87 |
TSH [µIU/ml] |
1.32 ±0.96 |
1.56 ±1.18 |
0.10 |
Zinc [?g/dl] |
84.90 ±21.80 |
88.50 ±23.10 |
0.41 |
Ferritin [ng/ml] |
14.72 ±10.70 |
25.30 ±14.41 |
< 0.001 |
25(OH)D [ng/ml] |
14.03 ±8.09 |
17.01 ±8.59 |
0.01 |
- Significantly lower serum ferritin and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were reported in patients with hair loss than in healthy individuals
Conclusion
- The study showed significantly low serum ferritin, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients complaining of hair loss
- The findings indicate that serum ferritin and vitamin D levels should be evaluated and supplemented before treatment in all patients complaining of diffuse hair loss
Reference
Adv Dermatol Allergol 2020; XXXVII (3): 407–411