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Red blood cell transfusions may be given to patients with severe iron-deficiency anemia who are actively bleeding or have significant symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or weakness. Transfusions are given to replace deficient red blood cells and will not completely correct the iron deficiency. Red blood cell transfusions will only provide temporary improvement. It is important to find out why you are anemic and treat the cause as well as the symptoms.
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It’s always a good idea to visit your doctor to discuss treatment options and get you on the path to optimal health quickly. Your doctor can help you change your diet to get the right amount of iron for your needs. The most common type of anemia is iron deficiency anemia, caused by a decrease in the level of iron in our body. Keep in mind that haemoglobin contains 70% of the iron in our body, so it is easy to understand that if we do not have enough iron, this important protein will lose its effectiveness. However, there are many other hair regrowth treatments available.
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How does an iron deficiency cause hair loss?
Iron deficiency anemia isn't something to self-diagnose or treat. So see your doctor for a diagnosis rather than taking iron supplements on your own. Overloading the body with iron can be dangerous because excess iron accumulation can damage your liver and cause other complications. As the name implies, iron deficiency anemia is due to insufficient iron.
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Reach for iron-rich foods like spinach, broccoli, peas, tofu and iron-rich meats like beef and lamb. Dr. Piliang shares who might be at risk for low iron and how to treat hair loss. Selenium is a mineral that your body needs in small (trace) amounts. Some research shows that selenium can help with hair loss, including among people who are getting chemotherapy. Researchers have called for more double-blind placebo studies to examine the role of vitamin and mineral intake on hair loss.
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If your hair loss has been caused by low iron and ferritin levels, once you treat the condition, you should notice your hair starting to grow stronger and healthier within a few months. When your iron levels are low, your body finds it hard to produce haemoglobin [2], which is found in your red blood cells and carries oxygen around the body. Always talk to your doctor before starting on an iron supplement regimen to avoid dangerously high iron levels. People without iron deficiencies should not start taking iron supplements without a reason for them.
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Female pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is the most common hair loss type in women. As with any type of hair loss, it’s important to treat the underlying cause. Speak to your GP or a qualified trichologist to establish if anaemia is the cause of your hair loss. If so, they’ll be able to help you find the right treatment to replenish your body’s iron levels and might even prescribe iron supplements. People experiencing female pattern baldness may also notice a general thinning of hair on the top of your head, but hair loss typically won’t occur on the front of your scalp, per Harvard Health.
People with hair loss should talk to their doctor about treatment options. Research states that there is not enough evidence available to suggest that taking iron supplements will help a person with hair loss grow new hair if they have iron-deficiency anemia. Doctors are not sure why some people who experience hair loss have low iron stores.
Vitamin C in citrus juices, like orange juice, helps your body to better absorb dietary iron. If you’re experiencing unusual amounts of hair loss despite dietary changes, it may be time to see your doctor for a diagnosis. Zinc deficiency is also often seen in people experiencing hair loss. Another possible scenario is having “classic” hypothyroidism symptoms but testing in the normal thyroid level range. If this happens to you, ask your doctor about checking out your ferritin levels.
Treating iron deficiency anemia
It’s presumed that ferritin loss occurs when someone loses their hair. But the process of ferritin loss can occur before a person experiences hair loss problems. Iron supplements commonly cause constipation, so slow-release supplements are preferred. It’s important to talk to your doctor first, before taking iron supplements, though.
Often called male pattern baldness, androgenic alopecia can affect anyone. For men, it’s usually a receding hairline or bald spot on the crown of the head. Women typically see hair thinning along their part followed by shedding all over (Park, 2013). Most of the studies related to iron deficiency anemia and hair loss look at hair loss in women.
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Liver disease, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), and inflammatory conditions can all cause this to happen. Gluten intolerance is one of the possible causes of poor iron absorption, which can then lead to low ferritin and hair loss. If a food sensitivity is suspected, your doctor may recommend a blood test or an elimination diet. Get more iron in your diet by adding supplements or changing your eating habits. But making sure we have a healthy amount of iron in our diet is important. The mineral can help prevent anemia and boost resistance to infection.
On the whole, it’s important that you speak with your doctor about any symptoms you’re experiencing. A dermatologist can provide a proper diagnosis, and select a personalized treatment that will help restore health to you hair and scalp. Understanding the underlying cause of your hair loss is absolutely necessary in determining the best approach to halt and reverse any further damage to your hair and scalp. Doctors often prescribe oral medications to be used along with topical minoxidil because studies show the combination boosts hair production. Low-dose oral minoxidil (prescribed off-label) has been found to be effective and safe for most patients, Mirmirani says. Other oft-used drugs include finasteride (Propecia) and spironolactone.
Iron deficiency anemia on its own is much more common in women. Research estimates anemia affects up to 12% of white women and 20% of Black and Mexican-American women, compared to only 2% of adult men (Killip, 2007). Iron is absorbed in the small intestine (duodenum and first part of the jejunum). This means that enteric-coated iron tablets may not work as well.
“As soon as you notice hair loss is happening, you should come in,” says Lauren Eckert Ploch, a dermatologist in Aiken, South Carolina. While alopecia doesn’t typically affect your physical health, the emotional and psychological distress it can cause are very real. Hair loss, or alopecia, affects more than 80 percent of men and 50 percent of women, and the risk increases with age. In the case that your hair doesn’t start to grow back, it might be time to consult your GP, or call in the professionals at a clinic like the Wimpole Clinic. You might be referred to a specialist dietitian if you're finding it hard to include iron in your diet.
Scarring alopecia is the most devastating type of hair loss, Mirmirani says, because it permanently destroys the hair follicles. If treating your iron deficiency doesn’t restore your hair, you may be eligible for surgical hair restoration. One of the most popular treatments for hair loss is Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) which is highly effective and produces impressive results after around 6–12 months after surgery. There are lots of potential causes of hair loss in women, which is why it’s so important to get a professional diagnosis. Our specialists in women’s hair loss can diagnose the underlying causes and create a female hair loss treatment plan that works for you.
Two of the most common non-hereditary causes of hair loss are low thyroid function and iron deficiency. And although they are two completely different conditions, they share some of the same symptoms. In addition to hair loss, fatigue and cold hands and feet can be signs of both low thyroid and iron deficiency.
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