A study to assess the relationship between female pattern hair loss and levels of serum 25 Hydroxyvitamin D and ferritin

Abstract

Background: Female Pattern Hair Loss [FPHL] is the most common cause of diffuse hair loss in women. It is a result of altered hair follicle cycling and miniaturization, which leads to the transformation of terminal to villous hair follicles and the production of shorter finer hair shafts. The pathophysiology of FPHL is not well understood and it is likely to be a multifactorial genetic trait. Unlike in men, an androgen-dependent nature has not been proven in FPHL. Serum levels of vitamin D and Ferritin are factors recently considered in approaching patients with hair loss complaints. Methods: A case control study with 30 FPHL cases and equal number of healthy controls was conducted among female patients between 17 and 50 years of age. Serum levels of 25 hydroxy vitamin D and Ferritin were measured and compared with the stage of the disease and other parameters. Results: The serum ferritin values of the FPHL cases [17.02 +/- 16.07 ng/ml] were significantly lower than that of the controls [49.40 +/- 27ng/ml; p=0.001]. The serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D level in FPHL cases [15.98 +/- 7.33 ng/ml] were also significantly lower than that of controls [32.89 +/- 20.63ng/ml; p=0.001]. While comparing the serum ferritin with Ludwig’s grading, a statistically significant difference between the grades of the disease was found with the lowest value in stage 1 disease. No statistically significant difference was found when grade of disease was compared with vitamin D status, although vitamin D status decreased with severity of the disease. Conclusions: The levels of serum 25 hydroxy vitamin d and serum ferritin are decreased in patients with female pattern hair loss and the altered levels of these could be a risk factor for the development of the disease.