Hair loss from scalp among women: Does serum levels of iron, cobalamin and folic acid matter?

Abstract

Hair fall from the scalp is a common complaint by females attending a dermatologist’s out-patient clinic. The most common cause is telogen effluvium and the most common pattern is chronic diffuse non-scarring hair fall from the scalp. The aim of our study was to analyze deficiency status and correlate hemoglobin, ferritin, cobalamin, folic acid in females of reproductive age group. This is a descriptive study was conducted in the DVL department of a tertiary care medical college hospital between 2018-2019. Clinical and demographic data were collected and hemoglobin, ferritin, cobalamin, folic acid levels were investigated. A total of 85 patients were studied. Mean Hemoglobin was found at 11.92 g/dl and Anemia was recorded at 59.32%. Ferritin levels were lower than normal in 90% of the cases. Folate levels were in the normal range in the majority of our cases. Cobalamin was deficient in 50% of our patients. Ferritin and cobalamin levels were better indicators than hemoglobin levels alone in assessing chronic nonscarring hair loss from the scalp in females of reproductive age group.