Can iron deficiency cause hair loss?

Can iron deficiency cause hair loss?

Hair loss can be caused by a number of factors, from your genes to the lifestyle that you live. But can iron deficiency cause hair loss? Here, we explain why iron is crucial for the health of your hair and explain what to do if you think that an iron deficiency is causing you to lose some of your hair. 

So, can iron deficiency cause hair loss? 

While male pattern hair loss is primarily a genetic condition, hair loss can also be caused by a lack of nutrients. When your body is iron deficient, it means that you’re unable to produce sufficient levels of haemoglobin within the blood. Haemoglobin is crucial, as it is responsible for carrying oxygen around the body, which repairs and grows your cells, including those that stimulate hair growth. A study from Korea in 2013 discovered that iron deficiency could cause hair loss that is very similar to that of male pattern hair loss, and may even cause your hair to fall out in similar phases. 

Is hair loss caused by iron deficiency permanent? 

If your hair loss is caused by an iron deficiency, the good news is that it’s not usually permanent. The best way to treat your hair loss in this instance is to schedule an appointment with your GP, who will be able to measure the iron levels in your body via a ferritin level blood test. If your blood work shows that you have an iron deficiency, you can take a supplement to boost your levels. Your GP will probably also recommend changes to your diet to ensure that the foods you eat contain sufficient levels of iron to keep your hair healthy, with spinach, salmon, peas, and dried fruit all great options. Also, the likes of oranges, strawberries, melons, broccoli, and tomatoes are all high in vitamin C, which allows your body to absorb iron more efficiently.

How to treat your hair loss 

Changing your diet and taking an iron supplement are important first steps when it comes to treating your hair loss, and you should take these steps following a consultation with a GP. Thereafter, you might be aware that there are several products that you can turn to in order to treat hair loss. Only two medications have been clinically proven to treat male pattern hair loss, and they are Finasteride and Minoxidil. Finasteride is a prescription medication that is taken in tablet form, and it works by blocking the growth of DHT, a hormone that binds to the receptors on your hair follicles, causing them to shrink and die out. 

Minoxidil, on the other hand, is a vasodilator that increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the affected areas of your scalp. This ensures that your hair follicles have the nutrients they need to thrive, which can quicken your hair growth following an iron deficiency. You can browse through our clinically proven product range to find the ideal solution to treat your hair loss today.

So, if you think that you have an iron deficiency, schedule an appointment with your GP to seek the necessary treatment. You can also reach out and begin a consultation with one of our physicians to discuss the different ways in which you can treat your hair loss.

All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.