low iron and hairloss

jade22 · 10-07-2008, 03:07 PM

Has anyone here had problems with low iron levels and hairloss?? i am dealing with this and really need more info, support, any words of hope??

CurlyHairedFarmer · 10-07-2008, 03:35 PM

I had a dangerously low level of iron for 5 years. I was very near to having a blood transfusion from my dad.

I finally was put on birth control pills and my iron shot up.

I did lose large amounts of hair during that time of my life. Fortunately for me, I have a ton of hair anyway so it was never very noticeable.

Just make an effort to get your levels back up. Take your iron tablets, eat dark green veggies, and get lots of sleep. The hair loss will stop, I promise.

icequeen · 10-07-2008, 04:41 PM

See a dermatologist for a prescription. Niferex is a gentle iron supplement which will bring your ferritan level up in 2-3 months. Iron can be really irritating to your stomach. Your ferritan level should be tested prior to beginning the supplement. It should be between 70-100 for hair growth. I take it every other day with 250 mg. of Vitamin C and 4 oz. of juice prior to breakfast. It has worked but see your doctor to make certain that is the problem.

Cleveland Clinic has several articles on the internet dealing with iron and hair loss.

DewPt.40 · 10-07-2008, 05:38 PM

This is very interesting. I am suffering from hair loss and both my dad and my aunt (his sister) were diagnosed with low iron. Very interesting. Now I have to wait till my health insurance to kicks in.

icequeen · 10-07-2008, 07:23 PM

Here is a link to one article from Cleveland Clinic.
Dr. Bergfeld is supposed to be the leading expert in female hair loss.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/532546

Zinc (30-50 mg.) per day is also recommended by the clinic.

I use the GNC UltraNourish Hair Vitamins which contain zinc. My dermatologist also says you need 5mg. Biotin daily in addition to the iron supplement. It all has helped for me.

The Long Hair Forum ran a daily vitamin concoction which is also helpful. You take a Multi-vitamin, GNC UltraNourish, Biotin, MSM, Flaxseed Oil, Silica, and Evening Primrose Oil daily. It sounds like a lot but really has helped taking all of the above in the morning. I can post exact amts. if interested.

However, the Biotin, Zinc and Iron are the key recommendations from the Clinic and my Dr.

curlylaura · 10-08-2008, 12:34 PM

The same thing has been happening to me. I'm taking Ferrous Sulphate tablets and Hopefully my hair will grow back in soon. I'm thinking of having it cut shorter just to make it look a bit thicker.

jade22 · 10-08-2008, 02:28 PM

thanks everyone for the advice so far
This whole thing has just been so frustrating, as i used to have really thick hair..
I have changed my diet to a much healthier one and have started taking iron supplements

icequeen,
how long did it take for you to notice the iron helping your hair??
mostly im just worried about how long ill have to wait to see results???

icequeen · 10-08-2008, 04:52 PM

The shedding started to decrease within 2 weeks with the vitamin regiman. However, I'd say it was 6-8 weeks before I saw some new growth at the hairline. My hair has never returned completely to what it was 15 years ago but it's probably age/hormone related. My Dr. told me not to concentrate on the regrowth but rather stopping the loss and maintaining what you have - again I'm perimenopausal which doesn't help matters.

I've also found certain products seem to accelerate shedding - Deva products (although I love them) seem to cause more loss than others. I have to rotate them with other things.