Reduced ferritin, folate, and vitamin B12 levels in female patients diagnosed with telogen effluvium

INTRODUCTION: Telogen effluvium (TE) is the most common cause of diffuse hair shedding. It is a non-inflammatory process characterized by the widespread loss of hair follicles in the telogen phase. Identification of its etiology requires laboratory tests involving endocrine, nutritional, and autoimmune disorders, and detailed anamnesis. The aim of this study was to examine serum ferritin, folate, and vitamin B12 levels in female patients with TE, and to investigate their possible role in the disease pathogenesis.
METHODS: The study included 651 female patients: 455 in the TE group and 196 in the control group. Serum ferritin, folate, and vitamin B12 levels were measured in both the groups.
RESULTS: Patients with TE had significantly lower serum ferritin concentrations compared to those in the control group (17.35±18.54 ng/ml vs. 39.27±29.44 ng/ml) (p=0.001). The folate levels were significantly lower in the TE group compared to those in the control group (7.94±8.98 ng/ml vs. 11.31±4.7 ng/ml) (p=0.001). Vitamin B12 concentrations were also significantly lower in the TE group (232.13±123.35 pg/ml) (p=0.001).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It was concluded that reduced levels of ferritin, vitamin B12, and folate might play a role in development of TE.