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40. The role
of iron and lysine in women with increased hair shedding and low serum
ferritin:
a randomised controlled trial. The role of iron stores in female hair loss is controversial. Some have claimed
that low iron stores contribute to both chronic telogen effluvium and female
pattern hair loss, but others dispute the idea. We have performed a double-blind
randomised controlled clinical trial comparing the response to oral iron supplement
and placebo in women with low iron stores complaining of excessive hair shedding.
Entry criteria included: complaint of excessive hair shedding for at least
6 months without visible reduction in hair density; serum ferritin <70ug/L.
Subjects were randomised to take an oral product containing ferrous glycine
sulphate and l-lysine (96mg elemental iron, 2g l-lysine per day) or placebo
for 36 weeks. Trichograms were performed at 0 and 36 weeks. Serum ferritin
was measured at 12 weekly intervals.
We recruited 29 subjects of whom 21 completed the trial (10 active, 11 placebo).
There was no significant difference in any baseline variable between the study
groups. There was a significant increase in serum ferritin (Week 0: 32.1µg/L±17.2;
Week 36: 100.8±52.9; p<0.001), and a significant decrease in the
telogen % (Week 0: 15.6±5.2; Week 36 12.1±5.1; p<0.05) in
subjects taking the active treatment. No change in serum ferritin (Week 0:
30.1±15.6; Week 36: 33.0±15.3) or telogen % ((Week 0: 13.2±5.8;
Week 36: 12.5±5.5) was found in those taking placebo. |
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