TV doctor Amir Khan has issued a warning about hair loss, urging people to check a specific number on their blood test results. According to the medical professional, low iron levels could be the root cause of excessive hair shedding.
Iron is an essential mineral responsible for the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. A lack of iron can lead to iron deficiency anaemia. While most people can get enough iron through a healthy, balanced diet, some may become deficient due to heavy periods, certain medications, or stomach ulcers, among other causes. In some cases, iron tablets may be necessary to raise levels.
The 'Low Normal' Trap
Speaking on his podcast, No Appointment Necessary, Dr Amir Khan explained that hair loss could be a sign of low iron. However, he warned that you might be told your iron levels are fine when in reality they are not. In conversation with co-host Cherry Healey, 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."
This indicates that your ferritin levels—a protein that stores iron in your cells—may appear normal during a blood test, yet could still trigger symptoms. He continued: "And by that I mean, normal levels of iron or ferritin - we measure something called ferritin, which is how iron is stored in your body. Now the 'normal' level is very wide, it's like 30 to 300. But 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."
Optimal Ferritin Levels
Dr Amir explained that ferritin levels of 100 or above are actually regarded as 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 symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia as: tiredness and lack of energy, shortness of breath, noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations), paler than usual skin, and headaches. Less common symptoms include: hearing ringing, buzzing or hissing noises inside your head (tinnitus), food tasting strange, feeling itchy, a sore tongue, hair loss (noticing more hair coming out when brushing or washing it), wanting to eat non-food items such as paper or ice (pica), finding it hard to swallow (dysphagia), painful open sores (ulcers) in the corners of your mouth, nail changes such as spoon-shaped nails, and restless legs syndrome.
The NHS advises you to see a GP if you think you might have iron deficiency anaemia.
