How Suffering From Anemia Can Cause Hair Loss in Women

You wake up one day, go to brush your hair and pause as you notice more strands than normal clinging to your brush. Over the next few weeks, you seem to shed more and more when showering and styling your hair. Your ponytail feels thinner, your centre parting wider. What's going on? For many women, unexplained hair loss is caused by having low iron stores, medically referred to as anaemia.

What Exactly is Anaemia?

Anaemia refers to having a lower than ‘normal’ number of red blood cells or haemoglobin levels in the bloodstream. Haemoglobin is the protein responsible for carrying oxygen through the blood. With insufficient haemoglobin, your body can't distribute enough oxygen to tissues and cells throughout the body.

The most common type of anaemia in premenopausal women is iron deficiency anaemia.
The following conditions lead to anaemia:

• Heavy menstrual periods
• Pregnancy
• A poor diet with low iron intake

Other health conditions that affect nutrient absorption like Crohn's disease can deplete iron reserves over time. Genetic disorders such as sickle cell disease can also cause anaemia.

Common Symptoms of Anaemia

Unexplained and persistent fatigue and weakness are classic anaemia symptoms. You may feel dizzy when standing up quickly or short of breath during daily activities. Headaches, rapid heartbeat, brittle nails, and palid skin are other common signs.

Cracking or changes to the corners of your mouth is a visible indicator. An enlarged, swollen tongue is also a giveaway that something is amiss healthwise.

How Anaemia Disrupts Healthy Hair Cycles

Hair follicles are some of the fastest growing cells in our bodies. To sustain rapid growth phases, follicles require ample oxygen and nutrients supplied by your blood circulation. When anaemia sets in, follicles become starved of iron, protein, and other compounds that are vital for your body to function healthily.

When you’re anaemic, hair follicles prematurely shift into the telogen or shedding hair growth phase. Hair growth slows down, more hairs then enter the resting phase, and increased hair loss occurs within weeks. Typically, you’ll notice hair around your shoulders, in the shower plughole even over your desk. Your new hair will now grow through weaker and thinner as your hair follicles struggle to get necessary oxygen and nutrition.

Clues Your Hair Loss is Linked to Anaemia

Have you noticed that your shedding hair seems to coincide with the arrival of your monthly period? If so, low iron may be the culprit. Hair loss from anaemia typically appears as a more diffuse thinning, all over the scalp, rather than isolated bald patches. If you don't have a family history of balding or thyroid imbalance, anaemia could be the cause of your continual hair fall. Sudden heavy hair shedding 3-6 months after giving birth is commonly diagnosed as postpartum anaemia.

Getting a Diagnosis

See your local Trichologist and request a blood test to check your iron and haemoglobin levels. Ask for a complete iron panel, vitamin B12, folate, and thyroid if possible. Keep track of your periods – many good apps are available like ‘Moody Month’; also discuss your diet, and family history to help them identify potential sources of iron loss. Be prepared to discuss in detail any symptoms you’re experiencing. Based on the results, your Trichologist can diagnose and recommend proper treatment.

Restoring Your Iron Levels

Oral iron supplements are the easiest and most common treatment for iron deficient anaemia. The iron supplements come in the form of Ferrous sulphate, Ferrous fumarate, or Ferrous gluconate coupled with Vitamin C to assist iron absorption. It can takes many months to see your iron levels increase and up to 9 months to restore iron reserves and haemoglobin to optimal levels.

If your iron is dangerously low, iron infusions or injections may be administered by your GP. Improving your diet will also help – eating iron-rich foods like low-fat red meat, dark leafy greens, beans and lentils. Anaemia stemming from heavy periods should be discussed with your doctor to address investigating the possibility of fibroids.

Regrowing Your Hair After Anaemia

By sustaining healthy iron levels your hair growth will improve and return to a regular and
healthy growth cycle is there are no other underlying factors to your hair shedding.

1. Keep iron reserves stable by including iron rich foods in your diet along with
2. Plenty of Vitamin C sources like citrus and berries to maximize iron absorption.
3. Have periodic blood tests done to catch any dips before hair loss resumes.

In summary, unexplained hair thinning can often be traced back to low iron stores and
anaemia, particularly in premenopausal women.

Don’t ignore fatigue, unusual shedding, or poor nail health. Seek medical advice and visit your trichologist for persistent hair shedding