Hair Transplant, Hair Restoration & Repair
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Classification of Female Hair Loss Patterns for Hair Transplant Planning

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Iron Deficiency & Hair Loss in Women

Low iron (ferritin) levels can cause women to develop thinning hair as well as shedding. This is especially common in menstruating women who have heavy periods and do not eat much red meat. Iron deficiency can occur by itself or exacerbate the thinning of underlying Female Pattern Hair Loss.

Iron is necessary for the production of hemoglobin, the molecule in the bloodstream that carries oxygen to the tissues. Even "low normal" values of iron can contribute to hair loss. When iron deficiency develops, hair follicles go into the resting phase and are subsequently shed - a process called "Telogen Effluvium."

We recommend patients with hair loss have their ferritin levels followed and the goal should be levels at least over 40 ng/ml, with an ideal value of over 70 ng/ml.

For patients with ferritin values under 40 ng/ml, we recommend the following:

  1. Start taking iron supplementation with either:

    1. FEOSOL
    2. SLOW FE

  2. Take one caplet per day as directed.

  3. Have your primary care doctor re-check your ferritin levels 6 months after starting supplementation.

  4. Be Patient. It takes 6 months after your serum ferritin is normal to see a benefit in your hair follicles.
Please refer to the sections on Classification and Diagnosis to learn more about the various types of hair loss in women. Also, watch Dr. Bernstein on The Early Show with a female hair loss patient who was treated at Bernstein Medical.



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