iron for hair loss

Lisa11 · 05-27-2008, 06:09 PM

My entire life I've always been borderline iron deficient, which has been a concern but doctors always brushed it off because I was still within "normal" range. I've always suspected that iron might play a role in my hair loss. Well, when I went off the birth control pill about a month ago I fell below normal range. My iron saturation was 14% (normal 15-50%), ferritin was a 16 (nurse told me ideal was 50) and hematocrit was normal. So, now I'm taking Feosol brand iron 3x daily.

My question is, has anyone seen an improvement in hair loss once they have been supplementing iron for a while? How long did it take before you saw an improvement? What percent saturation did you find your hair started to recover at? How long did you have to take the iron pills before you got up to ideal iron levels?

Thanks.

Lisa11 · 05-28-2008, 06:40 PM

Really? No one with iron issues?

jc1978 · 05-30-2008, 05:29 AM

I had iron deficiency at one point and it did help my hair grow back a bit faster and thicker. It took about 2-3 to notice. I'm not taking iron pills anymore (though I wonder what my levels are at sometimes). Despite taking iron, my hair is still quite thin and I haven't been diagnosed with PCOS (but exhibit all the symptoms of it) nor taking anything much for it.

I found my hair dramatically thickened when I started taking 2000 mg of Omega 3 a day. It also takes a while to notice the difference but my hair took a little longer to dry after a while of taking them. I'm also using Nioxin and Nizoral shampoo and using both did seem to have an effect on hair growth (saw tons of hair sprouting after 3 months).

I think I want to ask my doc about my iron levels too. They could be just within normal range just like yours. My hair looks ok but I still do have a wide parting.

Lisa11 · 05-30-2008, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jc1978

I had iron deficiency at one point and it did help my hair grow back a bit faster and thicker. It took about 2-3 to notice.

I'm below normal range at the moment. How long did it take you to get your iron up to normal level? 2-3 weeks or months?

jc1978 · 05-30-2008, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa11

I'm below normal range at the moment. How long did it take you to get your iron up to normal level? 2-3 weeks or months?

sorry, I meant 2-3 months

soulfulqween · 05-30-2008, 05:44 PM

Yes...I started taking iron regularly 3-4 months ago and my hair has grow like crazy and it doesn't break off and shed as much as it used to. That and a better choice of shampoo (or lack there of) has helped my hair to grow.

Lisa11 · 05-30-2008, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulfulqween

Yes...I started taking iron regularly 3-4 months ago and my hair has grow like crazy and it doesn't break off and shed as much as it used to.

That's awesome, I'm crossing my fingers for that!

soulfulqween · 05-30-2008, 11:53 PM

I use Nizoral as well...but only like twice a month.

I hope the iron works for you Lisa11

jc1978 · 05-31-2008, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulfulqween

Yes...I started taking iron regularly 3-4 months ago and my hair has grow like crazy and it doesn't break off and shed as much as it used to. That and a better choice of shampoo (or lack there of) has helped my hair to grow.

Soulfulqueen,

Did your doctor recommend you to take iron regularly? I'm not taking mine anymore but maybe it would be helpful to take them again so I am wondering if are you taking them everyday and what kind of iron pills are you taking? Maybe it will help my hair growth just a little more but just afraid of overdoing it is all

soulfulqween · 05-31-2008, 02:38 AM

jc1978

She suggested it in a multi vitamin...I can't swallow pills that big...SO I just
got the small OTC iron tablets, they are green, and about 125 come in a bottle.

When I have AF I get so weak, so fatigued I said I better take this stuff all the time.
So I have been doing that since January and my hair has grown substantially since then.

You'd have to take quite a bit to over do it...pay attention to how you feel. If you get overly constipated then cut back or add fiber to your diet.

HTH

Eruanna · 05-31-2008, 12:29 PM

It took a few weeks of being on iron tablets but my hair did stop falling out. The first bout of hairloss was when I was first diagnosed with PCOS but a change of contraceptive pill fixed that straight away. I went back to the Endo a couple of years later when it started falling out and one of the things he checked for was iron levels, which turned out to be low.

I haven't noticed much hair growth as yet but I was just happy it stopped falling out

jc1978 · 06-01-2008, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulfulqween

jc1978

She suggested it in a multi vitamin...I can't swallow pills that big...SO I just
got the small OTC iron tablets, they are green, and about 125 come in a bottle.

When I have AF I get so weak, so fatigued I said I better take this stuff all the time.
So I have been doing that since January and my hair has grown substantially since then.

You'd have to take quite a bit to over do it...pay attention to how you feel. If you get overly constipated then cut back or add fiber to your diet.

HTH

I know what you mean when it comes to taking a multi vitamin. They really are big. Okay, I'm gonna start taking a tablet every second day. I still have some tablets left from last year. You have been super helpful! =)

soulfulqween · 06-01-2008, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jc1978

I know what you mean when it comes to taking a multi vitamin. They really are big. Okay, I'm gonna start taking a tablet every second day. I still have some tablets left from last year. You have been super helpful! =)

I'm glad to have helped. Let me know if you see improvement.

blu_cypress · 06-01-2008, 06:01 AM

Last September I had my iron checked (among other things) and my ferritin level (which is a measure of iron stores) was in the teens. I started taking 325 mg of ferrous gluconate and have raised my ferritin level to 67 as of April 2008. Everything I've read lists a minimum of 40 to maintain hair and 70 to regrow hair. My shedding has reduced dramatically and I am seeing regrowth--my part isn't as wide and I'm now able to wear my hair down again with some creative styling....last summer I couldn't cover the thinning spots and had to wear it up all the time. It takes awhile to raise your iron stores, but it's well worth it. Not only is my hair healthier, stronger, and thicker than before, but I FEEL much better. I used to be cold all the time (even in the height of summer), I was pale, and was in a brain fog constantly. Now I retain my body heat, got some roses in my cheeks again, and my mental clarity has improved drastically.

Lisa11 · 06-03-2008, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blu_cypress

Last September I had my iron checked (among other things) and my ferritin level (which is a measure of iron stores) was in the teens. I started taking 325 mg of ferrous gluconate and have raised my ferritin level to 67 as of April 2008. Everything I've read lists a minimum of 40 to maintain hair and 70 to regrow hair.... my mental clarity has improved drastically.

I also feel like my mental clarity is improving. Another thing I noticed, I can breathe much better when working out, stamina is much improved. My Endo's nurse told me that ideally they like to see ferritin in the 50's, and I would love to get mine up there if possible. Next blood work is done at the end on June and am hoping I will see an improvement in my iron percent saturation.

Biggest problem I am having with the iron at the moment is the never ending constipation, even though I do take fiber (citrucel) tablets. I take 3x Feosol (45mg carbonyl iron) daily, in addition to my multivitamin which has a little iron in it. I also drink raspberry leaf tea which has a bit of iron as well. I do hope all this iron improves my labs next time around!