Can iron deficiency anemia cause severe hair loss?
Disease description:
I never used to have hair loss, but now I'm experiencing continuous shedding. Can iron deficiency anemia cause severe hair loss?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Cheng Yicheng
Hair loss is caused by iron deficiency anemia, and manifests as pallor, dizziness, fatigue, indigestion, and loss of appetite. Iron is an essential element in the human body, and many cellular metabolic functions are related to iron. Therefore, iron deficiency can lead to various symptoms—for example, nails may become brittle, and some patients may develop pica, a condition in which they consume non-food substances such as soil or metallic objects. Hair loss mainly occurs because hair follicles become unstable due to iron deficiency, making hair more likely to fall out. Supplementation with iron usually leads to significant improvement.
