Anemia and Hair Loss

We all lose hair - men and women. We lose our hair due to different reasons. It can be
caused by genetic factors, certain illnesses or medications like chemotherapy. But most of us tend to believe that hair loss is a genetic problem and one can do very little to solve this problem. Recent findings, however, suggest that in addition to DNA, diet too has something to do with this problem. If the iron level in one's body is low, he/she is likely to be more prone to hair loss. It is yet to be determined whether iron supplements help re-growth of hair, but the role of iron as a supplement to other forms of hair-loss treatment is almost proved. Iron deficiency anemia has now been found to be one of the most frequent causes of hair loss.

Iron deficiency is closely linked to anemia, a condition in which the blood is unable to carry oxygen because of low levels of hemoglobin. And even as iron deficiency anemia commonly causes the symptom of huge amounts of hair loss, it can also occur without showing any symptoms. It can, therefore, be said that hair loss is a clear symptom of iron deficiency anemia. It is, however, not yet clear whether anemia causes loss of hair or just worsens an already existing problem.

Iron-rich diet

It is often seen that many doctors will check hemoglobin levels to test for anemia, but only a few will go to check for iron deficiency without anemia. So it is better to have iron deficient patients screened for ferritin, a direct measure of the amount of iron in the body. Such hair loss patients include pre-menopausal women, women who just gave birth and patients who recently had surgery, all of whom may have low iron levels as a result of blood loss. Vegetarians and recent crash dieters should also be tested as they are most likely to be deficient in iron.

Those patients, whose iron levels are low, should eat foods that contain high levels of iron, like red meats, spinach and raisins. Iron supplements can also help these patients. One should, however, consult a doctor before using these pills. A doctor's advice is essential because too much iron on the other hand can be very dangerous, affecting one's heart and pancreas, among other organs. In a number of cases, the extra dose of iron helps the body re-grow the hair. But iron alone cannot work miracles in all cases of hair loss; it can, however, be an important part of a more comprehensive treatment for the problem.

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