Table Of Content
The causes of primary restless leg syndrome are not fully understood. However, it can stem from various medical conditions, including iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency lowers the level of hemoglobin in your blood, which may reduce the amount of oxygen available to cells that cause hair growth. If you believe your hair loss is related to an iron deficiency, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before taking matters into your own hands. It may seem tempting to self-diagnose and take an iron supplement, but they do have side effects, and your good health intentions may end up leading to more severe health problems. Anyone who suspects they have low iron levels should get a blood test.
Recommended for You
Nutritional choices, underlying conditions, bleeding, and the use of certain medications are common causes of low iron levels. People who are pregnant or have heavy menstrual periods have the highest risk and should talk with a doctor about being tested for iron deficiency anemia. Spoon-shaped fingernails, also called koilonychia, are another symptom of iron deficiency anemia. Skin and hair may receive less oxygen if you have iron deficiency, leading to dryness or damage.
Choose iron-rich foods
Issues with your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, such as celiac disease or a problem after GI surgery, can keep you from absorbing iron through your gut. Some medications for reducing stomach acid can also lower iron absorption. That might sound positive for your hair, but consuming too much vitamin A can actually cause hair loss. Hair loss is not a typical symptom of magnesium deficiency, but some research shows that supplementing with magnesium can help with hair loss in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The presence of biotin can in fact interfere with tests that use biotin–streptavidin technology. Exogenous biotin in the sample competes with biotinylated reagents for the binding sites on streptavidin reagents, creating false positive or false negative results [29].
What are common types of hair loss?
Hypervitaminosis A causes hair loss, and data on the effects of isotretinoin in hair loss support this association. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that helps transport oxygen around your body. In iron deficiency, low hemoglobin levels mean the heart has to work extra hard to carry oxygen. If the hair loss is directly related to low iron and ferritin levels, then theoretically, increasing iron intake should replenish the ferritin in the hair follicles, leading to healthier hair. While it might be tempting to take a guess what's causing your hair loss, our derms recommend against it.
Increasing ferritin levels
To elucidate the role of vitamin D in FPHL and TE, additional large-scale trials are necessary [77]. Alopecia areata (AA) occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicle. Studies have shown a relationship between AA and low vitamin D levels. However, more studies are needed to determine the effect of iron and zinc supplementation on AA patients. There is currently not enough data to recommend supplementation of folate or B12. Biotin supplementation is not supported by available data for the treatment of AA.
Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study. They may recommend increasing your intake of iron via your diet or taking supplements. As a result, your breathing rate will increase as your body tries to get more oxygen, resulting in shortness of breath. However, tiredness that occurs with pallor, shortness of breath, and other symptoms may be a sign of anemia. According to the Mayo Clinic, normal ferritin rates are 20 to 200 nanograms per milliliter for women and 20 to 500 for men.
The 8 Best Vitamins for Hair Growth of 2024 - Health.com
The 8 Best Vitamins for Hair Growth of 2024.
Posted: Wed, 24 Apr 2024 20:03:45 GMT [source]
Remember, addressing the root cause of hair loss, whether it be iron deficiency anemia or other factors, is key to achieving long-lasting results and restoring confidence in your appearance. Researchers have called for more double-blind placebo studies to examine the role of vitamin and mineral intake on hair loss. The authors concluded that ingesting selenium is a supportive element in chemotherapy [119].
Do not sell my personal information Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
“Alopecia areata is a condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, which usually leads to hair loss in small, round patches on the scalp or other parts of the body. It can affect people of any age and may come and go unpredictably. At this time, there’s not enough evidence to make iron deficiency screening a routine procedure for people with hair loss (4).
The link between vitamin and mineral deficiencies and hair loss
But Popeye’s obsession for spinach was born due to a printing error. In 1870, a German chemist was researching the nutritional benefits of spinach. When writing his findings, he misplaced a decimal point, making the iron content in spinach 10 times higher. While there are 3.5mg of iron in a 100 grams serving of spinach, that number became 35mg. Generally speaking, the sooner you start treatment, the more options you have and the better your results, dermatologists say.
This is especially prevalent in developing countries of Africa, for example, because many kids don’t get enough iron from their diet (Miller, 2013). You can enhance your body's absorption of iron by drinking citrus juice or eating other foods rich in vitamin C at the same time that you eat high-iron foods. Vitamin C in citrus juices, like orange juice, helps your body to better absorb dietary iron. So, you should not take any iron supplements to treat low ferritin without asking your doctor first.
Understanding the underlying cause of your hair loss is absolutely necessary in determining the best approach to halt and reverse any further damage to your hair and scalp. These treatments that emit red- or near-infrared light are believed to stimulate hair follicles to help hair grow, with a lower risk of side effects compared to topical creams and oral medications. Doctors often prescribe oral medications to be used along with topical minoxidil because studies show the combination boosts hair production. Low-dose oral minoxidil (prescribed off-label) has been found to be effective and safe for most patients, Mirmirani says. Other oft-used drugs include finasteride (Propecia) and spironolactone.
Niacin is a B vitamin that transforms food into energy, thus contributing to the maintenance of your nervous system and skin health. When niacin deficiency occurs, it leads to pellagra, a systemic disease that results from severe vitamin B3 (Niacin) deficiency, and might cause hair loss. Pellagra usually comes from alcoholism, malabsorption (the failure of absorption), or drug-induced cases.
No comments:
Post a Comment