Hair loss from low ferritin

[Caramel78]

I was diagnosed with Low ferritin levels last year (levels were 9) and I started taking 2 x 305mg of ferrous fumarate every day since Jan 2020. My hair has always been thin but I was starting to look a bit bald on top where my parting is and so much hair was coming out when I was brushing it. It’s starting to slowly come back and I have what feels like stubble growing where my parting is. Have any of you experienced this and did it take ages to grow back? Terrified it won’t ever grow back properly :-(

Had everything else tested too such as b12, vit d, folate etc and they are all fine (I take a high strength multivitamin and eat a healthy balanced diet. I think the low ferritin was caused from years of heavy periods)

Yes I take it with orange juice x

I had this issue a year or two back. I still don’t know what caused it as it was never investigated. I was never told the levels. I had already mentioned hair loss to the GP but she just dismissed it as beings mg age (mid 40s). I have always had very very thick curly hair so I know the amount of loss wasn’t right. anyway, Low ferritin level was found by accident after general tests after a blood clot in a superficial vein. After taking ferrous fumerate for 6 months or so my levels went back to normal range. It was only in hindsight that I realised how low it must have been, I had had bouts of tinnitus, dizziness and the walking through treacle feeling that is characteristic of low iron stores, as well as the hair loss . I also remember donating blood and the nurse, when doing the iron test before it, really had to tap the test tube to make the drop of blood sink to the bottom (normal level blood should sink straight away no problem, I don’t think, whereas mine just sat on the surface till she tapped it. She probably shouldn’t have tapped it, I guess, it must have been the first sign my iron stores were low.

As I say, it wasn’t clear what caused it. My diet is not good, no heavy periods (the opposite now), don’t hAve any signs of coeliac etc. HOWEVER. I was on blood pressure tablets at the time, and it was only since being on them that I had any issues with my blood. One of the listed rare side effects was anaemia. I took myself off the tablets after I’d beeen on the ferrous fumerate for a while and my ferritin levels weren’t improving as fast as they should be. Didn’t discuss it with that GP as I was seeing a different one each time, and my high BP was borderline anyway. I came off hormonal contraceptives too, as they were increasing mg bP

Anyway....ferritin levels went back to normal and the awful shedding slowed right down. I definitely got some hair growing back but I hate to say it, I think coming off the pill didn’t help . I think the hormones masked my low ones . My hair was thick and curly before kids and afterwards all the curl dropped out and it went lank and much thinner. It has been dodgy ever since, and I’ve definitely noticed menopausal hormone levels having an effect.

Taking with orange juice is a good tip. And with food generally .Don’t Have a cup of tea either around the time you take it as that can inhibit absorption.

My hair has never improved nor indeed recovered, ferritin levels at 6 regularly as they keep dropping all caused by heavy periods. Nothing can be done for heavy periods apparently as I’m mid 40s, 3 sections & overweight, so just need to wait for the menopause, I’m fucking miserable.

@NorthDowns That's awful. I find doctors are often dismissive of this problem Mine said that low ferritin is not a problem at all and you can just live with it - thanks, but I'd rather not!

CurlyhairedAssassin I didn't know that, is it tea or the caffeine?

I had symptoms of fibroids and was told to go away and deal with it, even though I kept getting low iron and kept needing blood tests and tablets.

@Caramel78 If by any chance you see this I wondered how things have gone for you and if your hair loss has recovered a couple of years down the line? Really hope so! I’ve just started on ferrous sulphate and am hoping for positive stories!

Go and see - if you can afford it - Dr David Fenton in London - specialist hair loss dermatologist … he will run lots of tests and tell you what’s wrong and also may refer you to an endocrinologist specialising in hair loss called Professor Conway …. Don’t rely on GP or even other Dermatologists they haven’t got a clue … my hair came back because of Dr Fenton and will be forever grateful … wonderful man.

Mine has never recovered but I haven't managed to get ferritin levels over 18 which isn't high enough. I teach and our lessons were broadcast to students isolating with a really unflattering overhead camera with my bald patch on display which made me feel even worse.

Do you have a rough idea of cost?

I've found this thread entirely by chance and I've realised that so many of these symptoms describe me (hair loss, dizziness, tiredness). I was diagnosed with low ferritin levels during my pregnancy but after a course of ferrous fumarate had nothing checked since.

I'll be checking out spatone today, thanks for the recommendation!

Mines 19 and it’s taken two years to move from 13! Too slow.

Im seriously considering an iron infusion privately as doctor says it’s in normal range.
Any one had one?

The range is 13-150!! As pp said 70+ for hair growth.

I think normal is actually 15-450!! Mine was 29 so GP was satisfied but I’ve started taking supplements bought OTC as my own research has told me that 29 isn’t good at all.

I read elsewhere that there’s a difference between normal and optimum, and that’s stuck with me - I’m going for the latter!!

He’s pretty pricy but it’s helpful if you have insurance. I saw him back in 2016 so the cost has probably gone up since then - I paid £300 for consultation, he also did lots of tests which the GP didn’t even know existed , he did refer a lot of the required tests back my GP to save me some money as he’s not a greedy man and was conscious I was paying for it myself without insurance - he also wrote to my GP advising them what medication I would need ! He’s really lovely If Google him you can call his office and ask for the prices … I really recommend him … if it wasn’t for him I think my hair loss would have worsened…. Now it’s back to normal !

The thing is everyone’s normal is different … so what might be considered normal on the generic scale might not be normal for you …