Correlation of serum ferritin levels, in female patients with chronic diffuse hair loss: A cross sectional study

Abstract

Context: Iron is involved in critical physiological processes within the hair follicle, suggesting that iron deficiency (ID) could disrupt hair synthesis. The relationship between body iron status and hair loss has been investigated in a number of studies, however, with relatively discrepant findings. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate whether chronic telogen effluvium (CTE) and female pattern hair loss (FPHL) in patients were associated with decreased tissue iron stores, as measured by serum ferritin levels. Setting and Design: This was a cross-sectional study, conducted in a teaching hospital. Materials and Methods: Forty female patients aged between 15 and 45 years, having chronic diffuse hair loss, were recruited. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis used in this study was Mean ± standard deviation, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and one-sample t-test. Results: The mean serum ferritin levels in all participants, CTE, and FPHL were 18.6 μg/L, 16 μg/L, and 36.64 μg/L, respectively. Almost 57.5% of participants had serum ferritin levels Conclusion: Participants of this study had low serum ferritin levels at different definitions of ID, and the participants showed ID, which was significant. Hence, chronic diffuse hair loss was associated with decreased iron stores.