The necessity of holistic approach to treatment of telogen hair loss associated with iron deficiency in women

The relationship between disorders of iron metabolism and alopecia, in particular telogen hair loss (THL), remains poorly understood and requires further research.

Goal. To assess changes in the dynamics of growth and hair condition in women with an iron deficiency state during systemic therapy with iron supplements in combination with and without physiotherapy.

Methods. An open-label, randomized, comparative interventional study with a duration of 6 months included 26 female aged 19 to 54 years (38.8 ± 8.9 years) with complaints of hair loss, changes in their structure, dryness and / or hair brittleness; with preserved menstrual cycle and mild iron deficiency anemia (IDA, Hb 101–120 g/l). Trichoscopy and phototrichogram were performed with processing of the results in the TrichoScienceProv1.1 program. The changes in the dynamics of hair growth and condition were assessed against the background of the use of iron supplements in combination with physiotherapy and without physiotherapy. Pulsed alternating sinusoidal current of high frequency, high voltage and low strength was chosen as a physiotherapeutic method for the treatment of THL.

Results. Against the background of the therapy, an increase in the Hb level (p < 0.001) and a positive dynamics of trichological parameters in all patients were noted, the severity of which was higher when the therapy with iron supplements was combined with physiotherapy.

Conclusion. Our findings confirm that the complex treatment of patients with telogen alopecia on the background of an iron deficiency state may achieve positive dynamics of trichological indicators.