Can Low Iron Levels Lead to Hair Loss?
Key takeaways:
Iron deficiency can cause hair loss and increased hair shedding.
Hair loss from low iron isn’t permanent. Your hair will start to grow back once your iron levels return to normal.
Taking oral iron supplements can help get your iron stores back to normal. Your healthcare provider will determine the right dose for you.
Hair thinning and hair loss can be upsetting. It can affect a person’s mood, confidence, and overall sense of well-being. Some hair thinning is expected as people get older, but there are other causes of hair thinning that can be stopped or reversed.
Diet plays an important role in hair health and not getting enough of key vitamins and minerals can lead to hair loss. Iron deficiency is the most common vitamin deficiency. Low iron levels can lead to hair loss.
If you’ve been noticing changes in your hair, here’s what you need to know about how iron deficiency can lead to hair loss.
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How does iron deficiency cause hair loss?
Low iron levels have been linked to a condition called telogen effluvium, which leads to:
Increased hair shedding
Stalled hair growth
The combination of these two things leads to hair thinning and more noticeable hair loss.
Hair follicles cycle through three phases in order to grow hair:
Anagen phase: This is the active phase of hair growth. The follicle is making hair.
Catagen phase: This is the transition phase. Hair stops growing in this phase.
Telogen phase: This is the rest phase. Your hair strand falls out and the hair follicle stops forming hair for a few months.
Each hair follicle is on its own timeline as it goes through these cycles. This keeps the hair on your head from falling out all at once.
At any given time, about 10% to 15% of hair follicles are in the telogen phase. But certain medical conditions, like iron deficiency (or low iron levels), can push hair follicles into the telogen phase. When more hair follicles enter the resting phase at the same time, hair falls out but doesn’t grow back in. This leads to hair thinning and then more noticeable hair loss.
What are the signs of hair loss from iron deficiency?
At first, people with low iron levels may notice more hair shedding than usual. Then they’ll start noticing that their hair appears thinner, especially in areas where male or female patterned hair loss is more noticeable.
But if you have low iron levels, you’ll likely notice other symptoms of iron deficiency like:
Weakness
Dizziness
Lightheadedness
Fast heart rate
Feeling cold all the time
Headaches
Feeling tired and run-down
Trouble exercising
Pale skin
These symptoms develop because low iron levels may lead to iron deficiency anemia. People with anemia don’t have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to the different parts of their body. Over time, this can lead to long-term health problems.
Is hair loss from iron deficiency permanent?
The good news is that hair loss caused by low iron isn’t permanent. Once your iron levels are back to normal, your hair follicles will move back from the resting (telogen) phase back into the active (anagen) phase.
But this won’t happen right away. Even with daily supplements, it can take several months for your body to rebuild its iron stores. And then it will take more time for your hair follicles to transition back into the active phase.
You should notice less hair shedding within a few weeks of starting iron therapy. But it can take months to see your hair start to fill in.
Will taking iron supplements help with hair loss?
If you have iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia, taking iron supplements can help with your hair loss.
But if your iron levels are normal, you shouldn’t take iron supplements. Iron supplements won’t help hair growth if your iron levels are normal. And taking too much iron can lead to iron poisoning. If you’re experiencing hair thinning or hair loss and your iron levels are normal, talk with your healthcare provider about other treatment options for hair loss.
How much iron should you take for hair loss?
It depends. Many things affect how much iron you need including your sex and whether you're menstruating, pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Your healthcare provider will ask you to have a blood draw to measure your hemoglobin levels and iron stores. These results will also affect how much iron you need to take. Your healthcare provider will be able to determine the best dose for you.
In general, people need to take an iron supplement once a day or once every other day. Common iron supplements include:
Ferrous sulfate
Ferrous gluconate
Ferric citrate
Ferric sulfate
After a few weeks, you’ll have a repeat blood draw to see how you’re responding to the supplements. Your healthcare provider may adjust your dose from there.
Some people only need to take iron therapy for 4 to 6 weeks. But others need several months of iron therapy to replenish their iron stores.
How do you keep your iron levels healthy?
The best way to keep your iron levels up is to eat foods rich in iron like:
Seafood, fish, and lean red meat
Dark, leafy green vegetables like spinach
Lentils, beans, peas, and potatoes
Nuts, seeds, and some dried fruits
Grains and cereals enriched in iron
Dried fruit
Tofu
Eggs
It’s important to know that some foods, like black tea, can decrease your iron absorption.
Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron. So consider adding foods and drinks rich in vitamin C alongside foods high in iron. Some good sources of vitamin C include:
Guava
Papaya
Kiwi
Mango
Strawberries
Cantaloupe
Oranges
Tangerines
Grapefruit
Sweet peppers
Broccoli
Tomatoes
The bottom line
Low iron levels can lead to hair loss. Iron deficiency can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium, which increases hair shedding and limits hair growth. Iron deficiency hair loss can be reversed if you get your iron levels back to normal. Oral iron supplements can help replenish your body’s iron stores. You can maintain your body’s iron levels by eating iron-rich foods.
Why trust our experts?
References
Hoover, E., et al. (2022). Physiology, hair. StatPearls.
Moeinvaziri, M., et al. (2009). Iron status in diffuse telogen hair loss among women. Acta Dermatovenerologica Croatica.
Moretti, D., et al. (2015). Oral iron supplements increase hepcidin and decrease iron absorption from daily or twice-daily doses in iron-depleted young women. Blood.
Olsen, E. A., et al. (2007). Iron deficiency in female pattern hair loss, chronic telogen effluvium, and control groups. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Trost, L. B., et al. (2006). The diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency and its potential relationship to hair loss. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
