Iron deficiency hair loss

Iron deficiency is often considered in people with diffuse shedding, especially women. Ferritin is commonly used as a marker of iron stores, but interpreting it is not always simple because ferritin can rise with inflammation, infection, liver disease and other conditions. The evidence linking low ferritin to hair loss is mixed, and not everyone with hair loss needs iron. However, checking iron status can be appropriate when there is heavy menstruation, dietary restriction, fatigue, anaemia risk or unexplained shedding. Iron supplementation should be targeted, monitored and not taken blindly long term.