Is your hair suddenly falling out in chunks? Is there more getting stuck on your hairbrush or blocking the shower drain? A nutritional deficiency may be to blame.
Many dietary deficiencies can trigger hair loss. One especially important mineral for hair is iron. Without sufficient iron in the body, hair can start shedding excessively.
Iron is a mineral that plays a crucial role in oxygen transportation within the body. Here’s how it works: without iron, the body can’t produce hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin, on the other hand, is needed to carry the oxygen that is crucial for cell growth and repair in the body.
Hence why iron is so important to our health and well-being – including hair.
Here’s what iron deficiency anaemia and hair loss have to do with each other.
The causes of iron deficiency
Iron deficiency anaemia can occur for many reasons. Crash diets, vegetarianism and veganism can often lead to an iron deficiency when not planned carefully.
Anaemia and the associated hair loss are especially common issues in women, particularly pregnant women or those with heavy periods.
Undiagnosed coeliac disease can also affect iron absorption.
How much iron is enough and how to get it
Iron deficiency anaemia can occur for many reasons. Crash diets, vegetarianism and veganism can often lead to an iron deficiency when not planned carefully.
Anaemia and the associated hair loss are especially common issues in women, particularly pregnant women or those with heavy periods.
Undiagnosed coeliac disease can also affect iron absorption.
What iron deficiency does to hair
One of the most common symptoms of iron deficiency is damage to hair and nails, as well as excessive shedding.
All of us lose around 50-100 hairs a day as part of the normal hair growth cycle. However, if you’re losing more than that, or it’s coming out in clumps, you may want to speak with a doctor.
The good news is, iron deficiency hair loss is usually reversible when the underlying cause is treated. It can take several months, though, so patience is key.
Think you may suffer from iron deficiency hair loss?
Common symptoms of iron deficiency include cold hands and feet, fatigue, shortness of breath and, of course, hair shedding. If you think you may suffer from iron deficiency anaemia, the first step is to speak with your doctor.
In case the doctor confirms you’re iron deficient (which is usually done with a blood test), the good news is it’s fairly easy to treat with dietary changes or supplements. Your doctor can devise a plan that fits your needs to restore hemoglobin levels and iron stores to healthy levels.
There are also risks associated with getting too much iron, so never start taking iron supplements without speaking to your doctor first.
And what if it’s not iron deficiency-related?
There are numerous hair loss causes, but the most common one in both men and women is genetics. This form of hair loss is known as androgenetic alopecia, or male/female pattern baldness.
While it’s commonly perceived to be a men’s problem, women do suffer from genetic hair loss, too, although the patterns differ. Women usually experience diffuse thinning and a widening part.
Luckily, there are effective treatments for genetic hair loss these days – the main options being medical treatment or a hair transplant. Find out more by booking an obligation-free online doctor’s consultation or a hair transplant consultation with a Hair Growth Specialist.
