Dr Amir Khan has issued a warning about hair loss, advising people to look for a specific number on their blood test results. According to the doctor, low iron levels could be the underlying cause of unexplained shedding.
Iron Deficiency and Hair Loss
Iron is essential for producing red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body. A lack of iron can lead to iron deficiency anaemia, a condition that may cause hair loss. While a balanced diet typically provides enough iron, some individuals become deficient due to heavy periods, certain medications, or stomach ulcers, among other causes. In such cases, iron supplements may be necessary.
Speaking on his podcast No Appointment Necessary, Dr Amir Khan explained that hair loss is a common sign of low iron. However, he cautioned that patients might be told their iron levels are normal when they are not optimal. He said: “Iron deficiency is a very common cause of hair loss in women. But what I will say actually is that you can have ‘low normal’ levels of iron and still lose hair.”
Ferritin Levels: What the Number Means
Dr Khan highlighted the importance of ferritin, a protein that stores iron in the body. The normal ferritin range is wide, typically 30 to 300 micrograms per litre. However, he warned that levels between 30 and 90 or 99 are often considered normal by GPs, but may still cause symptoms. “If your levels are 30 to 90 or 99, you might get a text message from your GP or a call saying actually, your iron levels are fine, you don't need to worry about that. But even at that level, which are ‘low normal’, you can still lose hair,” he said.
Dr Khan advised that ferritin levels of 100 or higher are actually healthier. “So most dermatologists like your iron levels to be at 100 plus before they say it's not your iron,” he said. “So just be mindful when you get that message because lots of women will have an iron blood test because they feel tired all the time, they're losing hair. Look at the number. If it's below 100, it could still be ‘normal’, but that could still be causing your hair loss.”
Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anaemia
The NHS lists common symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia, including tiredness and lack of energy, shortness of breath, noticeable heartbeats (palpitations), paler than usual skin, and headaches. Less common symptoms include tinnitus, food tasting strange, feeling itchy, a sore tongue, hair loss (noticing more hair coming out when brushing or washing), pica (craving non-food items like paper or ice), difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), painful mouth ulcers, spoon-shaped nails, and restless legs syndrome.
The NHS advises that anyone who thinks they may have iron deficiency anaemia should see a GP for a blood test and appropriate treatment.
