Hair loss - low ferritin

[Westernstar]

I’ve been massively struggling with awful shedding for about 6 weeks, it’s got to the point I’m apprehensive about washing my hair and trying to avoid touching it as every time I do more seems to come out.
Spoke to my gp who said recent bloods showed ferritin of 32 which can cause hair loss, so been given an iron tablet and I’m going to overhaul diet. The aim is to get retested in 3 months to check improvement.
But guess my question is can ferritin really cause this? Anything else I can do to apply topically to stop the shedding?
Appreciate any wisdom as really worried!

Yes. Ferritin really does cause hair loss. Iirc it needs to be above 70 to support healthy hair growth.

Did they also check thyroid, B12 & Vitamin D? They can also cause hair loss and it’s not unusual to be low in more than one thing.

Yes it can. Having the same issue and was advised need to get above 80 to get regrowth of the lost hair.

Normal ferritin is 10 - 291 so I can’t imagine it would at 32. I have a ferritin level of 8 due to heavy periods and poor diet and I have hair shedding for sure. Started iron and biotin and noticed a decrease.

Apparently my thyroid fine, B didn’t work this last round as it clotted but was fine previously and forgot to ask re vitamin d, back next week so can clarify. Good to know though this can happen. It’s frightening.

I have never heard of this, but it is reassuring to know it actually happens. I assumed you would need to be actually anaemic.

My first lot of iron last night and got liver for dinner (hope I can stomach it) - what’s the Biotin for?

I hadn’t either but my dermatologist who specialises in scalp conditions mentioned that I ideally need to get my iron to 80 because under that I will have hair loss as a perimenopausal woman.

It’s a supplement that aids hair, and nail growth. I picked up from Holland and Barratt

I have problems keeping my ferritin up. Malabsorption. The dr keeps putting me on and off iron tablets as my number changes. I hate them, they give me the trots and a nasty inflamed feeling. I'd say 32 will be classed as ok by some but is low enough to cause problems.

I saw a dermatologist who specialises in hair loss conditions & he also said ferritin needs to be in the 80's upwards or something like that. Mine was low 30's and barely shifted with twice a day iron supplements for 6 months plus. I had an iron infusion privately and my levels went up above 200. It has been a couple of years, I'm sure the levels have come down somewhat, but I'm sure they're above where they used to be. My hair is doing really well too.
I separately started taking tranexamic acid which has helped periods become lighter. Biotin is important, but if you have low iron levels definitely address that.
Word of caution with biotin also... taking the recommended dosage gave me terrible breakouts. I found that taking it once every few days worked well for me.

Thanks everyone. I’m on one 210mg iron tablet a day, assume this is going to take ages to get up? Worth implementing diet changes?

I’ve been taking two of those a day and eating a steak once a week. I’m not a fan of red meat and it appears that my spinach and beans don’t quite hack it.

@Westernstar This type of iron was recommended on here recently by a midwife. Not only is it gentle on the stomach, it has more bioavailability (or something!) than other iron. I have to say that I haven’t had hair in my legs in years but I have just had my first month of this and another vitamin (I will link) and I just showed DH earlier that I have leg hair growing back so I popped back on to link. I’m hopeful it will do good things for my head too as I hadn’t been able to get my ferritin above 32, even with ferrous fumerate.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08SKKL9TS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are the vitamins, although I would hold off until you have B12 rechecked or it may skew the results.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00RBUNDF6?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Take the iron w vitamin c - tablet or orange juice. Helps it absorb.
an Iron infusion is much quicker - if you can get one.
Also the reason why you are anemic should be investigated

The gp said to take with a glass of orange juice before bed, so doing that.

GP asked the same, I’d say periods have got worse as I’ve got older. Shorter but heavier. The other thing I wonder is 5 years ago ish I had gastritis and relied on ppis and gaviscon for probably 2 years. Think they can interfere with iron? Also had a huge op in December that likely didn’t help. Will ask GP next week re ppis