Iron deficiency is one of the most common causes of various health problems, with hair loss being a common symptom. Iron is an essential mineral needed to form hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.

What is iron deficiency? When iron levels drop, cells, including hair follicles, don’t get enough oxygen, which can disrupt the hair growth cycle. Hair enters a resting phase and then begins to shed in greater numbers, a condition called telogen effluvium. Many people who suffer from iron deficiency notice that their hair becomes thinner, weaker, and loses its luster, and in some cases, iron deficiency can even worsen pre-existing hereditary hair loss, such as androgenetic alopecia.

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, which is responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body, which is crucial for the proper functioning of organs and tissues. But iron’s role does not stop there, it is also important for:

• Energy production: Without enough oxygen, cells have a harder time producing energy, which can lead to fatigue and lack of energy.
• Immune system: Iron helps strengthen the body’s resistance to infections.
• Brain function: Iron is necessary for normal cognitive function, especially in growing children and adolescents.
• Skin, hair and nails: Because iron supplies hair follicles with oxygen, it is crucial for hair to grow strong and healthy.

In a healthy body, this cycle is repeated constantly, which means that we usually lose between 50 and 100 hairs per day without noticing it. However, with iron deficiency, the balance is upset and you lose more and more hair. When the body does not have enough iron, the oxygen supply to the hair follicles decreases, which causes more hairs than normal to enter the resting phase and leads to increased hair loss.

Causes of iron deficiency

• Bleeding: For example, heavy menstruation, nosebleeds, or repeated blood donations can lead to iron loss.
• Pregnancy: The increased need for iron during pregnancy can cause deficiency if not compensated for through diet or supplementation
• Vegetarian or vegan diet: Iron from plant sources is less well absorbed by the body, which increases the risk of deficiency if the diet is not well planned.
• Digestive problems: 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 absorption or increase the tendency to bleed, which in turn can lead to deficiency.

How do you know if you have an iron deficiency?

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 start 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 your hair becomes more brittle, your nails break more easily and that you start to lose more hair than usual.

Symptoms of iron deficiency

• Fatigue and lack of energy: The body does not receive enough oxygen, which causes muscles and organs to not function optimally.
• Pale skin: Fewer red blood cells make the skin look paler than usual
• Headaches: Lack of oxygen to the brain can lead to recurring or persistent headaches
• Dizziness and fainting: Reduced blood circulation can cause imbalance and fainting.
• Shortness of breath on light exertion: Lack of oxygen affects breathing even during mild physical activity
• Hair loss: Hair follicles do not receive enough oxygen, which can cause hair to fall out
• Concentration difficulties and memory problems: Brain function is negatively affected by low oxygen uptake
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus): Some people experience a constant ringing sound in their ears
• Brittle nails and dry skin: Early external signs that the body lacks important nutrients

Women are at the highest risk of hair loss from iron deficiency

Women are at greater risk of iron deficiency, especially due to heavy menstruation, pregnancy or a diet low in iron, such as a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. Low iron levels reduce the oxygen supply to the hair follicles, which can disrupt hair growth and lead to hair loss. To find out if hair loss is due to iron deficiency, it is recommended to have a blood test with a doctor where 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 link between low iron levels and hair loss, especially 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.

Prevent hair loss due to iron deficiency

If iron deficiency is the cause of your hair loss, there are several ways to slow down and reverse the progression.

Change your diet

Eat more iron-rich foods like red meat, spinach, lentils, legumes, pumpkin seeds, green leafy vegetables, nuts, and whole grains.

Combine with vitamin C

Improve iron absorption by combining food with vitamin C-rich foods such as orange, bell pepper, tomato or lemon.

Consider supplements

Iron tablets may be necessary for low levels, but always take them in consultation with a doctor to avoid overdose.

Be patient

It may take 3–6 months before you notice an improvement in hair quality, as the hair cycle is slow.

Seek professional help
If hair loss does not decrease or if you have already lost a lot of hair, treatments such as PRP and hair transplantation may be appropriate.

Help your hair get back on track after iron deficiency

If you have an iron deficiency and are 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 of your hair loss. If iron deficiency is a contributing factor, PRP treatment can be an effective complement. PRP is a natural treatment where we use your own blood platelets to stimulate hair follicles and improve blood circulation in the scalp. The treatment can provide extra support for hair growth, especially when the body is recovering 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 is suitable for both women and men who want to help their hair grow while their iron levels stabilize.