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