Iron Deficiency in Women The question of whether iron inefficiency & hair loss are linked has for many years been debated. We know that iron is a fundamental requirement of our body cells but is it the case that hair shedding would follow in cases of low iron. When we say iron we mainly refer to the serum ferritin which refers to the biochemical state in which iron is stored in the body although serum iron is a consideration. To this day this question remains unproven however research suggests that this is almost certainly a factor in some cases when hair loss is apparent. Is iron deficiency common?Yes, iron deficiency is relatively common more so in women when considering hair loss. What do we need iron for? There are reasons why we need iron, none more important that for making the oxygen carrying pigment haemoglobin found in the blood. After we eat, the iron is taken from the food and drink we put into our body and absorbed by the small intestines. Iron is then transported in the blood to the bone marrow where blood cells are made. It is then combined with proteins to make the haemoglobin. Any spare iron may be stored within the Liver. How do we loose iron from our body? We loose iron from our body in urine, faeces, blood loss and through dead skin. The blood loss may be through injury or through the natural monthly cycle (menses). How much iron should we have in our body? Most of us can get all the iron we need through eating and drinking correctly. Women tend to require a greater level of iron intake per day (14.8mg) compared to that of men who require 8.7mg per day. Those that are more likely to suffer from loss of iron are young children and babies as well as women who have heavy monthly periods. Those that are vegetarian may well suffer as well from low iron levels due to the avoidance of red meat which offers a good source of iron. What are the symptoms of iron deficiency? Feeling tired, dizzy, feeling cold all the time even when the temperature is that that others feel quite normal or even warm. The pulse tends to be rapid and weak. Suffering from headaches and palpitations is common. Breathlessness is another symptom of iron deficiency. Tinnitus (ringing in ones ears) and changeable sense of taste are other less common symptoms of low iron. Iron deficiency may cause thinning of the skin, spoon shaped or brittle nails. There may also be painful cracks around the mouth and the tongue may well be sore. Iron deficiency in some cases make people very irritable and lead to poor concentration. It may affect children's growth and in some cases cause behavioral and learning difficulties. Plummer-Vinson syndrome is a condition that causes some difficulty in swallowing. This is due to a number of web like growths in the oesphagus (pipe running from mouth to stomach). Iron deficiency may be symptom of this ailment. Research into iron deficiency Mr Barry Stevens MA FTTS records significant observations relating to serum ferritin levels in females who suffer hair loss. Over a practice lifetime period of 40 + years 62% of his female patients 16-60 years with otherwise unexplained diffuse terminal hairloss had a serum ferritin level of 10-17. Iron supplements were taken to increase the serum ferritin levels. As the levels were raised, hair losses reduced significantly.Iron distribution in the healthy human body 65% found in Haemoglobin which is the oxygen bearing protein found in red blood cells. If you are suffering from any form of hair loss it is advisable to seek professional advice from a trichologist in order to confirm if possible the cause. If you would like to speak with a trichologist in person on the phone please contact the helpline right of page. Alternatively you can e-mail us on We hope that you have found this page informative © 2007 E.Stevens BSc LTTS
|
Thank you for visiting our site
The team at The Afro Hair & Scalp Clinic