Why does iron deficiency lead to hair loss?

• Iron deficiency leads to hair loss because the hair follicles lack oxygen.
• If oxygen is missing, the aerobic energy metabolism comes to a standstill.
• Women in particular are affected by iron deficiency.
• Iron deficiency is relatively easy to fix: due to a balanced diet, possibly intravenously with acute needs.
• Thiocyanate stabilizes the cell metabolism and normalizes the hair cycle.

Hairs are urgently dependent on nutrients such as glucose, lipids and vitamins as well as iron for "cell breathing" for constant growth. The oxygen that we absorb over the lungs is bound as a result of the presence of iron in the blood and finally distributed throughout the body over the bloodstream. Mit dem Abbau von Kohlenhydraten unter Einwirkung von Sauerstoff wird schließlich die Energie gewonnen, die den Zellstoffwechsel an den Haarwurzeln in Gang setzt. If iron is missing, there is iron deficiency. This is one of the most common causes of diffuse hair loss in women.

Especially women of lack of iron (ferritin)

Iron deficiency, more precisely the lack of ferritin, makes the blood less red and from a medical point of view anemic, that is: the hair cells receive too little oxygen and the aerobic Energy metabolism Device stall. The hair then grows slower. Cross in the worst case The hair follicles off your hairwhich leads to excessive hair loss.

Since hair loss even appears before anemia, dermatologists also see an increasing hair loss factor in the inconspicuous reduction in iron-containing enzymes and co-factors in the scalp. Overall, iron deficiency means that the ability of the hair matrix cells are impaired for cell division and cell growth.

Causes of iron deficiency

Common causes of iron deficiency are vegetarian nutrition, operations or bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Women suffer particularly from iron deficiency, especially due to blood loss as a result of the menstrual periods. During pregnancy or breastfeeding, women need even more iron to maintain all organic functions.

Symptoms for iron deficiency - e.g. B. also hair loss

A reduction in the iron reserves in the body leads to pale, tiredness and fatigue, forgetfulness and weakness in concentration, reduced resilience. Last but not least, diffuse hair loss is noticeable. The hair loss takes place all over the head.

One could almost say that the hair also suffers from tiredness in the event of a lack of iron and are too tired to continue growing. The trichoscan in dermatologists typically shows a high proportion of telogen hair, these are hair that fails with the next mechanical stimulus (washing, combing, wind). Other symptoms In addition to hair loss, thin nails and torn mouth angles are in the case of iron deficiency.

Athletes, iron deficiency, hair loss

Women and men who frequently and intense sport Driving, by the way, is exposed to an even greater risk of iron deficiency. Regular endurance sports or daily training in the gym increase the blood volume by 10-20 %. With normal iron absorption through the daily diet, the athlete organism then has less iron than a non-athlete with a comparable size, weight or BMI. The result is an iron deficiency through dilution anemia. When athletes also make a diet to control body weight, the iron deficiency is reinforced and the tendency towards hair loss increases.

Compensate iron deficiency

To diagnose an iron deficiency, house or dermatologist analyze the blood count, specifically the ferritin value. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron. Although most of the ferritin is within the cells, the ferritin concentration in the blood serum delivers the measure of the iron level in the body.

Drug therapy

If the ferritin values ​​indicate an iron deficiency, taking iron tablets is recommended. As a rule, the treating doctor prescribes iron preparations with a low dosage to protect the liver and heart from an oversupply of iron.  In the event of severe blood and iron losses, the doctor also suggests an intravenous addition of iron.

Change of diet helpful

With repeated iron deficiency, only a change in the preferred foods will help in the long run. Those who do without meat and fish should increasingly adhere to legumes, whole grain cereals or beetroot. The intake of iron via vegetable products is increased by vitamin C, such as in freshly squeezed orange juice. However, you should avoid large amounts of coffee and tea immediately after eating because the tannin contained inhibits the absorption of iron from food. The same applies to dairy products and the effect of certain proteins. Vegetables that are rich in iron - such as spinach, chard or carrots - should not be refined with cream if possible.

Improvement of cell metabolism on the hair root

Ultimately, iron deficiency is probably not the only disturbance factor that favored diffuse hair loss. Thin hair  It usually arises from the collapse of several factors. In order to stand up to hair loss, it is an advantage to include the disturbed cell metabolism Thiocyanate Stabilizing the hair root and thereby stimulating new, strong growth of the hair.