What is iron good for?
Iron is a mineral that the body needs for several important functions. Its main task is to contribute to the production of hemoglobin responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body, which is essential for the proper functioning of organs and tissues. But the role of iron does not stop there, it is also important for:
- Energy production: Without enough oxygen, cells find it more difficult to produce energy, which can lead to fatigue and loss of strength.
- Immune system: Iron helps strengthen the body's resistance to infections.
- Brain function: Iron is necessary for normal cognitive function, especially in children and adolescents in growth.
- Skin, hair and nails: Because iron supplies the hair follicles with oxygen, it is essential for hair to grow strong and healthy.
In a healthy body, this cycle is constantly repeated which makes us usually lose between 50 and 100 hairs per day without it being noticed. However, with iron deficiency, the balance is disturbed and you lose more and more hair. When the body does not have enough iron, the oxygen supply to the hair follicles decreases, causing more hairs than normal to enter the resting phase and leading to increased hair loss.
Causes of iron deficiency
- Bleeding: For example, heavy menstruation, nosebleeds or repeated blood donations can lead to loss of iron
- Pregnancy: The increased need for iron during pregnancy can cause deficiency if not compensated by diet or supplementation
- Vegetarian or vegan diet: Iron from vegetable sources is absorbed worse by the body, increasing the risk of deficiency if the diet is not well planned
- Indigestion: Diseases such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease or other conditions that affect the absorption capacity of the intestines can reduce the body's ability to absorb iron
- Medications: Some medications can inhibit iron uptake or increase the propensity to bleed, which in turn can lead to deficiency
How do you know if you are deficient in iron?
Iron deficiency often develops slowly and can therefore be difficult to detect at first. As long as the body has access to its iron reserves, mainly stored in the liver and spleen, the deficiency can remain hidden. It is only when the iron stores begin to run out that the body can no longer release iron at a sufficient rate and the symptoms become noticeable. The first signs can be subtle, such as dry skin, itching, cracks in the corners of the mouth, pain in the tongue or discomfort when swallowing. At this stage, you may also notice that the hair becomes more brittle, the nails crack more easily and that you begin to lose more hair than usual.
Symptoms of iron deficiency
- Fatigue and impotence: The body does not get enough oxygen, causing muscles and organs to not function optimally
- Pale skin: Fewer red blood cells make skin look paler than usual
- Headache: Lack of oxygen in the brain can lead to recurrent or persistent headaches
- Dizziness and fainting: Impaired blood circulation can cause imbalance and fainting
- Shortness of breath with light exertion: Lack of oxygen affects breathing even with mild physical activity
- Hair loss: The hair follicles do not get enough oxygen, which can lead to hair falling off
- Difficulty concentrating and memory problems: Brain function is negatively affected by low oxygen uptake
- Ear ringing (tinnitus): Some people experience a constant buzzing sound in their ears
- Brittle nails and dry skin: Early outward signs that the body lacks essential nutrients
Women are most at risk of losing hair due to iron deficiency
Women are more at risk of iron deficiency, especially due to heavy periods, pregnancy, or iron-poor diets as with vegetarian or vegan lifestyles. With poor iron value, the oxygen supply to the hair follicles decreases, which can interfere with hair growth and lead to hair loss. To find out if the hair loss is due to iron deficiency, it is recommended to do a blood test with doctors in which both iron and ferritin levels are measured. Ferritin shows how much iron the body has stored and is an important indicator of hair health. To support hair growth, ferritin should ideally be above 50—70 µg/L. Research shows a clear relationship between low iron values and hair loss among women. Studies have shown that low iron levels can contribute to both temporary and hereditary hair loss and that treating the deficiency can improve hair health.
Counteract hair loss due to iron deficiency
If iron deficiency is the cause of your hair loss, there are several ways to slow and reverse the progression.
Change the diet
Eat more iron-rich foods such as red meat, spinach, lentils, legumes, pumpkin seeds, green leafy vegetables, nuts, and whole grain products.
Combine with vitamin C
Improve iron absorption by combining the food with vitamin C-rich foods such as orange, bell pepper, tomato or lemon.
Consider supplementation
Iron tablets may be necessary at low levels, but always take them in consultation with your doctor to avoid overdose.
Be patient
It may take 3—6 months before you notice improvement in the quality of your hair, as the hair cycle is slow. Seek professional help If hair loss does not decrease or you have already lost a lot of hair, treatments such as PRP and hair transplantation may be topical.
Help hair get back on track after iron deficiency
Are you deficient in iron and experiencing hair loss We recommend that you book a free consultation with us. During the consultation, we will examine your hair and help you understand the cause behind your hair loss. If iron deficiency is a contributing factor PRP treatment be an effective complement. PRP is a natural treatment where we use your own platelets to stimulate the hair follicles and improve blood circulation in the scalp. The treatment can provide extra support for hair growth, especially when the body recovers from iron deficiency. Many of our customers who have been treated with PRP experience that their hair becomes stronger, fuller and that hair loss is reduced. The treatment is gentle, free of chemicals and suitable for both women and men who want to help their hair on the trot while iron levels stabilize.
