Can iron deficiency cause hair loss?

Iron deficiency, especially when it progresses into full-blown iron deficiency anemia, can cause hair loss. "It sends your body into survival mode, so your body channels oxygen to support vital functions as opposed to ones like keeping your hair intact," explains Moritz. read more

Temporary hair loss such as iron deficiency hair loss is called telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium is an abnormality of the hair growth cycle that causes hair that would normally be in the anagen (growing) phase of the hair growth cycle to be prematurely pushed into the telogen (resting) phase. read more

Unless you have iron deficiency -- diagnosed by a doctor -- iron supplements can lead to a very dangerous condition from iron overload. Hair Loss May Be a Symptom of Serious Illness A sensitive way to check total body iron stores is to measure the amount of ferritin in the blood. read more