Anemia and Hair Loss- What is the Connection?

What is Anemia?

Can Anemia Cause Hair Loss?

Can Hair Loss From Anemia Be Reversed?

Hair loss is a condition that can be caused due to many factors that can disturb the normal hair growth cycle and the growth potential of the hair follicles, causing shedding, thinning and baldness. Many factors may affect the natural cycle and cause hair loss in males and females at any stage of life.

Busy professionals often tend to ignore their diet and nutrition, leading to many nutritional deficiencies in the body – iron deficiency or anemia being one of them. 

If you doubt if there is some connection between anemia and hair loss, then continue with the blog to know everything. 

What is Anemia?

Anemia is a condition where there is inadequate transportation of oxygen in the body’s cells due to a decrease in the level of haemoglobin. This pigment, called haemoglobin, is responsible for carrying oxygen in each cell and carrying back carbon dioxide and waste. Due to a lack of haemoglobin, hair follicles suffer from oxygen deficiency. 

The most common type of anaemia is caused due to lack of iron in the body, which is called iron deficiency anemia. Anemia can arise due to a lack of iron in the diet and excessive blood loss due to injury. 

Can Anemia Cause Hair Loss?

There is a certain link between anemia and hair loss. In iron deficiency anemia,  hair follicles fail to regenerate following a normal rest and shedding phase, leading to diffuse hair thinning on the scalp without obvious hair shedding. 

Can Hair Loss From Anemia Be Reversed?

Hair loss due to anemia can be reversed once the iron levels in the body improve. It may take several months, but the problem can be reversed with a proper diet containing iron, iron supplements, and medical treatments like platelet-rich plasma therapy and minoxidil. Consumption of Vitamin C for adequate absorption of iron is important. 

If you think you are suffering from hair loss, you must visit a dermatologist nearby. The hair loss doctor will perform blood tests to determine the right cause of the hair loss and treat it immediately and accordingly.