Blood Levels of Iron in Korean Patients with Female Diffuse Hair Loss

Chun, Byung Hwan; Seo, Seong Jun; Kim, Myeung Nam; Hong, Chang Kwun; Ro, Byung In

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Female diffuse hair loss is a common baldness with a multifactorial origin. In recent studies, it has been suggested that reduced or depleted iron stores are a cause of female diffuse hair loss.
OBJECTIVE
We performed this study in order to elucidate the pathogenesis of female diffuse hair loss and to evaluate the differences in serurn iron levels between normal females and those with diffuse hair loss in Korea.
METHODS
Blood levels of hemoglobin, iron, TIBC, ferritin, testosterone, thyroid function, ANA and Zn were examined in 30 patients with female diffuse hair loss and 20 normal females.
RESULTS
1) Serum Zn, testosterone, T4, TSH of the patient group were not statistically significant compared to those of the control group (p>0.05). 2) TIBC values were significantly increased, but serum ferritin levels were signifieantly decreased in the patient group (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in hemoglobin, serum iron in both groups (p>0.05). 3) No significant differences between clinical severity and the values of serum Zn, testosterone, T4, TSH, TIBC, serum femtin, hemoglobin and serum iron were observed (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION
These findings suggested that the variations of TIBC, serum femtin levels may play a role in the pathogenesis of female diffuse hair loss, but further studies will be needed for evaluation of this condition.