Iron-Deficiency Anaemia Causing Hair Loss

Anaemia is a disease that is caused by an abnormal reduction in red blood cells or an increase in the number of red blood cells that have reduced haemoglobin. Because of this disease the body will be unable to deliver enough oxygen to various tissues and cells. The disease is thought to be caused by a reduction in red cell production that is brought about by deficiency of nutrients (iron) or hormones. Other causes of the disease are hereditary which involve excessive destruction of red blood cells by the body itself. In this article we are going to look at iron-deficiency anaemia causing hair loss.

When the body is unable to supply adequate oxygen to all the tissues and cells of different systems of the circulatory system there will be a gradual breakdown of some of those cells and tissues. In the case of hair loss when there is reduced haemoglobin that means less oxygen will be supplied to parts of the body such as the scalp. This will mean that the cells in this region will have to reduce their activity in order to survive. This is so for oxygen is required in cellular metabolism without which division and growth and development of cells is not possible. The result is that the hair follicles in the scalp will regress. More hair will be forced to come out of the growing phase (anagen) to the shedding phase (catagen). This will cause visible thinning of the hairs, as they will have shorter growing periods. Another thing is that the number of hair shed will also increase. Hair patches may start to form because of this.

When there is a short supply of iron, there will also be a short supply of hormones, as well as enzymes as iron is required in their production. This will result in several changes to the body's functions. The hormones that are involved in hair production, as well as the enzymes involved in the pathway will be reduced, therefore there will also be reduced hair growth.

In the case of hair loss due to iron deficiency anaemia, solutions exist. A patient with this condition can start to take foods that are rich in iron or take some iron supplement in the form of pills that can be obtained from pharmacies. The diet should also be rich in proteins and other nutrients that are essential in cell production. In order to boost the production of red blood cells in the body a patient with such a form of anaemia may consider some light exercises. Exercise boosts cardiac output and informs the brain to send signals for increased red cell production in order to improve the efficiency of the body.

In the case of hair loss that is caused by this kind of anaemia, a patient can consider taking some herbal treatments that boost hair regrowth or some topical creams that are available in pharmacies and are FDA approved to treat cases of hair loss and other problems associated with hair.