ABSTRACT
To examine the association between chronic telogen effluvium and iron deficiency in adult females. Seventy-two adult menstruating women with chronic telogen effluvium and 30 healthy adult females were enrolled into the study. All women were interviewed and clinically examined. The hair pull test was additionally utilized as part of the physical examination for the assessment of hair growth. Laboratory tests included measurements of hematocrit, serum ferritin levels, liver function tests, renal function tests, thyroid hormones, serum testosterone, and dehydropiandrosterone. The results of hematocrit values and serum ferritin levels in patients and controls were analyzed and statistically compared. Patients with chronic telogen effluvium and low serum ferritin levels were given oral iron treatment in the form of ferrous sulphate 600 mg daily for 4 months. At the end of the study period improvement in their hair growth and serum ferritin levels re-assessed. The mean age of patients was 26 years and for controls was 32 years. Hematocrit measurement were similar in both groups, but there was a statistically significant difference in the mean serum ferritin levels [p<0.05] between patients and controls [18.7 and 47.6ng/mL, respectively]. All patients treated with iron had elevation in their serum ferritin levels, and most of them experienced improvement in their hair growth. There was a significant association between low serum ferritin levels and chronic telogen effluvium, therefore, serum levels may be of value in the evaluation of adult menstruating women with chronic diffuse hair loss