Iron Screening in Alopecia Areata Patients May Catch Hereditary Hemochromatosis Early.

Abstract

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HHC), a disorder of iron overload, presents with clinical phenotypic heterogeneity. Complications can be mitigated with early intervention. The association between HHC and alopecia areata (AA) is unknown. We report 4 patients with HHC concurrent with AA. In 2 patients, the HHC diagnosis was revealed from the results of laboratory iron studies as part of an alopecia consultation workup. Alopecia areata may be a rare early cutaneous manifestation of HHC in individuals with a predisposition for autoimmunity; however, the genetic relationship between the 2 disorders is currently unknown. Patients at high risk for HHC such as those with a family history and/or those who fit the demographic profile may benefit from laboratory iron screening if they present to the clinic with AA.