Omg this is my exact situation. I have low iron, B12 and Vitamin D. My doctor put me on supplements but the way my hair is thinning is 😢. Thank you Dr. Dray for touching on this topic.
I’ve been losing what seems like a lot of hair but my husband is in the hospital & I almost like him so I’ve been very stressed & my routine has been completely turned upside down! Thank you for another great video!😊
You are exactly right in stressing the importance of getting a proper diagnosis. I just saw my dermatologist last week for hair loss, & she felt I was on the tail-end of telogen effluvium, but in addition, also dealing with androgenetic alopecia. I have a history of low ferritin, low B12, & low vitamin D, all of which I’ve been supplementing over the last 14 years under doctor supervision. Being post-menopausal & requiring progesterone therapy for other issues have also played a role in the adrogenetic component. It can definitely be complicated. 😉
Get your iron levels checked ladies and gents. I’ve been losing hair since 2020 and assumed it was because of stress since my world got flipped upside down. I just found out I have very low iron because I stopped eating red meat due to dating and marrying a pescatarian. I’m now supplementing and my hair seems better.
My Ferritin was 33 along with hair loss, low energy, and brain fog. I didn't respond to oral iron so my endocrinologist ordered an IV infusion of Iron called "Injectafer". I've done that 3 times now over the past 6 years and it really helps.
Thank you Dr Dray for mentioning that use of OTC antacids can affect iron absorption. Someone I know has just been diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency (w' anaemia) and said that their diet is apparently not the root cause. However, I suspect that the treating doctor has not been told about the regular antacid in intake. Many people neglect to tell doctors about using OTC products (unless they're asked), not thinking that it's as important as mentioning prescription products...esp. those that can be purchased in a supermarket. I will therefore check to see whether this issue has been acknowledged. Hopefully, thanks to you Dr Dray I may have solved this person's Vitamin D absorption concern (that seems to have resulted in many other health issues). 👱❤️
I have gone through this a few times over the last decade. Going for the first in three iron infusions tomorrow. Occasional anemia is one of the lovely things about Crohn’s Disease.., Should be feeling better soon.
Hair loss, severe fatigue, shortness of breath, pale and my gosh, the cravings to chew ice! All symptoms before I was diagnosed with low HGB/HCT and Ferritin levels. It took awhile for my doc to order those lab results. ugh Feeling better after iron infusions - but multiple tests and procedures - no source of bleeding or reason. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, as always it's comprehensive and informative.
Finding the root cause early is an essential step towards an effective treatment plus if we have an early and valid diagnosis the time is lessened quite a bit ❤😊.
Before my emergency total hysterectomy, my ferritin level was 3, low normal is 15. Heart attack and stroke are a real possibility. Two years later, my hair is finally looking more full and healthy!! Many blessings everyone!!!💖💖💖
Thank you for this video. I'm currently on prescription iron tablets. I was wondering why my legs haven't felt restless for the past few months. Wish I knew this 30 years ago
I get my 1st hormone panel done this Friday. I missed my period for 3 months and miraculously started today, I am perimenopausal and 47 yrs old. The struggle is very real.
My ferritin recently was 31. I have no idea what it usually is, but I’ve been having some weird symptoms so I have a bunch of lab work done. My doctor said it is “normal” since low end of range is 15. I’ve been having hair loss for the last 6+ months, easily bruising. Rest of my iron and hemoglobin, sat % is all normal, just low ferritin. B12 was also 350- so low end. I wish more doctors were experienced with subnormal levels and deficiencies
If you're of childbearing years, aim more for ferritin of 100. Ferritin is a measure of how much iron you have in storage, so when it's low, it's a good indicator that your body isn't getting enough through diet so it's pulling from your stores. Fyi, even though 15 is on the lowest end of normal, I read a paper recently where they want to increase the number that's the lower end of normal, because by the time your ferritin is at 15 you're much closer to being in trouble and it doesn't give your medical team much of a jump-start of fixing it... so this paper from a study in Spain is suggesting that the lower cutoff number be raised to 30. (An ER doc or a primary care may not know that, but your hematologist would.) You can read an abstract of the paper on JAMA Network Open-- the article is called "Ferritin Cutoffs and Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency in Primary Care."
I have iron deficiency with anemia. I had none of the symptoms though! The iron pills I took weren't enough and I craved ice like crazy. I had to go to the hospital and get a 2 blood transfusions and iron Infusion, it was crazy! The doctors and nurses couldn't believe I was walking around in my state😂. My hair and nails suffered but I'm over two months out from my hospital stay and I'm on the road back.
Good morning Dr. and y’all🥳 Thank you so much for this information . I look forward to hearing from you everyday.😘 I feel so much more informed on a daily basis. THANK YOU
i had just started growing my hair back from significant unplanned weight loss due to very high stress. then i donated blood, and started my cycle on the same day. i felt like 💩 for weeks and weeks. i happened to need to go have labs rechecked and my doc kinda freaked out. i’m an RN so i was not freaking out. she recommended slow Fe. i opted for beef organs but had already started feeling a bit better. but i have finally stopped having near syncope in the shower. hopefully my hair will start to rebound as well.
My daughter is in the middle of 5 weeks of weekly iron infusions. She has been on omeprazole for years due to severe GERD. It can lead to iron deficiency.
The timing of this video is crazy. I was googling iron deficiency and hair loss just yesterday. I was also looking into zinc. I've had covid twice in the last 2 years and I read that can cause hair loss too. It's stressing me out.
I thought I had heard/read years ago that menopausal women were NOT supposed to consume much iron. Can you shed some light on this and clarify how much iron menopausal women are supposed to consume? Thanks so much and love your channel!❤️
When this happened to me, my ferritin level was 49. My doctor told me that my hair wouldn’t grow back u til it was over 99. He was right! Iron levels don’t show what is bio available. Iron glycinate doesn’t cause the awful constipation. Zero side effects
@@o0xXirisXx0o that’s shockingly low, but wonderful that you haven’t suffered any problems. I would get a second opinion. Maybe it’s not a problem, but sometimes you don’t know you feel bad in some way until you feel better. You know? It can affect a lot of things. It can make you tired, for one. The clinically accepted levels aren’t always the levels that give you your best health. Anyway, it’s up to you. I’m not a doctor, I just play one at home.
I’m so tired of the low iron battle. I’m doing everything I can yet my iron level is still not ideal. Oral vitamins don’t do much. The only thing that ever raised my iron level were B12 injections, but my new doctor won’t prescribe them to me.
I was so anemic. I could not think. My nails would turn to powder when I cut them and my hair would fall out in clumps, I couldn't breathe well and very tired.
I went to three different doctors who at 37 just told me to take mixodixil and it ended up being low ferritin. I couldn’t believe three doctors Just told me to take that instead of testing me. 😢
Greetings Dr Dray hope u r well n 🖐Hello Every1 n Happy Wednesday😀n what a Wonderful Vid…. thanks n This is Gonna b so Helpful🔥👍n Continued Blessings to All💜….
Hi Dr. Dray - in your experience, what ferritin level is needed for hair growth? I have heard other dermatologists say 70, some recommend 50 as the minimum. Would really appreciate knowing what you thought.
I have anemia and low ferritin I feel horrible but my Dr only says keep supplementing it’s so frustrating I do have an appointment with a hematologist 😢
@dr.dray my ferritin level is 10 but my doc said my overall iron level is normal. I had severe hair loss (androgenic alopecia) and now I m diagnosed with areata. If and whenever I have iron supplement it leads to severe constipation. What should I do????
Dr. Dray, could you one day do a video on the best glycerin free/vegan or vegetable glycerin products you recommend for those who are religious and can not use glycerin due to it often deriving from pork=pigs. I find it hard to find a good facial wash and moisturizers for my skin. It's almost in everything.
The best iron supplement is Floridix Floravital. It is the only one that I can feel a difference after taking it. I always take iron because I'm a runner.
Interesting. My doctor told me to take Proferrin after stomach surgery. It’s been the only one that helped me. I will look into the one you mentioned! Thanks.
My Ferritin was 39 and dermatologists say it should be 70 Taking 25mg Iron Bisglycinate every other day with Vitamin C to increase absorbtion, but not sure with how vit C ?
I thought you were holding a cigarette lighter. No I’m not smoker. How do you feel about zinc with copper and is it important to have copper incorporated into zinc or does it matter? Thanks !
I’ve dealt with anemia off and on in my younger years. But I haven’t had that issue in years. I’m 74… and I am anemic… I’ve been on eliquis for a year…snow I’m dealing with anemia? My hair is getting very thin…not sure what to do.
I had a hysterectomy due to low iron. A year later and I still have low iron. I was told after the hysterectomy my iron levels would steadily go back to normal, but unfortunately it still hasn’t. My PA referred me to a gastroenterologist. My hair is very course and dry looking even though I hardly ever use heat. I don’t know if that is due to iron. My hair does grow long it’s just dull and dry looking.
Hello doc …how to remove existing tan from hands and feet ?… my body which is covered is fairer than my exposed hands and feet as a result my hands and feet look darker compared to my body 😕.. please help !
So thorough, as always! I wish you were my professor in grad school 🙏🏽💗👑 your rationals & way of relaying information soothes my brain. Appreciate your light & infinite gratitude from me & my supple snail skin 🥳🐌💧
Omg this is my exact situation. I have low iron, B12 and Vitamin D. My doctor put me on supplements but the way my hair is thinning is 😢. Thank you Dr. Dray for touching on this topic.
Same. Could not figure out why my hair was thinning like this
Same! Looks like we all have the lucky trifecta
Same!! Wild
I had to get my vitamin D up before I could absorb iron and B vitamins
What about RA drugs like leflunomide? I have low RBC but all the tests say I’m okay. Doesn’t help my hair or extreme exhaustion though.
I’ve been losing what seems like a lot of hair but my husband is in the hospital & I almost like him so I’ve been very stressed & my routine has been completely turned upside down! Thank you for another great video!😊
I hope things improve soon
@@DrDrayzday thank you!❤️
You are exactly right in stressing the importance of getting a proper diagnosis. I just saw my dermatologist last week for hair loss, & she felt I was on the tail-end of telogen effluvium, but in addition, also dealing with androgenetic alopecia. I have a history of low ferritin, low B12, & low vitamin D, all of which I’ve been supplementing over the last 14 years under doctor supervision. Being post-menopausal & requiring progesterone therapy for other issues have also played a role in the adrogenetic component. It can definitely be complicated. 😉
Get your iron levels checked ladies and gents. I’ve been losing hair since 2020 and assumed it was because of stress since my world got flipped upside down. I just found out I have very low iron because I stopped eating red meat due to dating and marrying a pescatarian. I’m now supplementing and my hair seems better.
And ferritin, if your nails start to take on a funky shape or constant fatigue
My Ferritin was 33 along with hair loss, low energy, and brain fog. I didn't respond to oral iron so my endocrinologist ordered an IV infusion of Iron called "Injectafer". I've done that 3 times now over the past 6 years and it really helps.
My ferritin level was 12 😢. Losing a lot of hair too
Thank you Dr Dray for mentioning that use of OTC antacids can affect iron absorption. Someone I know has just been diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency (w' anaemia) and said that their diet is apparently not the root cause. However, I suspect that the treating doctor has not been told about the regular antacid in intake. Many people neglect to tell doctors about using OTC products (unless they're asked), not thinking that it's as important as mentioning prescription products...esp. those that can be purchased in a supermarket. I will therefore check to see whether this issue has been acknowledged. Hopefully, thanks to you Dr Dray I may have solved this person's Vitamin D absorption concern (that seems to have resulted in many other health issues).
👱❤️
I have gone through this a few times over the last decade. Going for the first in three iron infusions tomorrow. Occasional anemia is one of the lovely things about Crohn’s Disease.., Should be feeling better soon.
My sister has the same issue and she needs infusions as well praying for you
Hair loss, severe fatigue, shortness of breath, pale and my gosh, the cravings to chew ice! All symptoms before I was diagnosed with low HGB/HCT and Ferritin levels. It took awhile for my doc to order those lab results. ugh Feeling better after iron infusions - but multiple tests and procedures - no source of bleeding or reason. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, as always it's comprehensive and informative.
@@amiann44 I feel that! Been there. We’ll be increasing my iron dosage soon.
Happy Wednesday Dr Dray so excited to be here i live for this ❤️
Morning!
@@DrDrayzday❤
Finding the root cause early is an essential step towards an effective treatment plus if we have an early and valid diagnosis the time is lessened quite a bit ❤😊.
Can’t even begin to tell you Dr Dray how impactful you’ve been in my life. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. ❤️❤️❤️
Before my emergency total hysterectomy, my ferritin level was 3, low normal is 15. Heart attack and stroke are a real possibility. Two years later, my hair is finally looking more full and healthy!!
Many blessings everyone!!!💖💖💖
Thank you for this video. I'm currently on prescription iron tablets. I was wondering why my legs haven't felt restless for the past few months. Wish I knew this 30 years ago
I get my 1st hormone panel done this Friday. I missed my period for 3 months and miraculously started today, I am perimenopausal and 47 yrs old. The struggle is very real.
My ferritin recently was 31. I have no idea what it usually is, but I’ve been having some weird symptoms so I have a bunch of lab work done. My doctor said it is “normal” since low end of range is 15. I’ve been having hair loss for the last 6+ months, easily bruising. Rest of my iron and hemoglobin, sat % is all normal, just low ferritin. B12 was also 350- so low end. I wish more doctors were experienced with subnormal levels and deficiencies
If you're of childbearing years, aim more for ferritin of 100. Ferritin is a measure of how much iron you have in storage, so when it's low, it's a good indicator that your body isn't getting enough through diet so it's pulling from your stores.
Fyi, even though 15 is on the lowest end of normal, I read a paper recently where they want to increase the number that's the lower end of normal, because by the time your ferritin is at 15 you're much closer to being in trouble and it doesn't give your medical team much of a jump-start of fixing it... so this paper from a study in Spain is suggesting that the lower cutoff number be raised to 30.
(An ER doc or a primary care may not know that, but your hematologist would.)
You can read an abstract of the paper on JAMA Network Open-- the article is called "Ferritin Cutoffs and Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency in Primary Care."
I have iron deficiency with anemia. I had none of the symptoms though! The iron pills I took weren't enough and I craved ice like crazy. I had to go to the hospital and get a 2 blood transfusions and iron Infusion, it was crazy! The doctors and nurses couldn't believe I was walking around in my state😂. My hair and nails suffered but I'm over two months out from my hospital stay and I'm on the road back.
What were ur hb?
Good morning Dr Dray ❤
Morning!
Good morning Dr. and y’all🥳
Thank you so much for this information . I look forward to hearing from you everyday.😘
I feel so much more informed on a daily basis.
THANK YOU
i had just started growing my hair back from significant unplanned weight loss due to very high stress.
then i donated blood, and started my cycle on the same day. i felt like 💩 for weeks and weeks. i happened to need to go have labs rechecked and my doc kinda freaked out. i’m an RN so i was not freaking out. she recommended slow Fe. i opted for beef organs but had already started feeling a bit better. but i have finally stopped having near syncope in the shower. hopefully my hair will start to rebound as well.
I had a complete hysterectomy last year and cannot stop losing my beautiful hair 😢
My daughter is in the middle of 5 weeks of weekly iron infusions. She has been on omeprazole for years due to severe GERD. It can lead to iron deficiency.
Happy Wednesday, Dr. Dray❤
Resurfacing after stomach flu/food poisoning (how to tell?) feels so good! 💜💜💜
glad to hear you are doing better!
The timing of this video is crazy. I was googling iron deficiency and hair loss just yesterday. I was also looking into zinc. I've had covid twice in the last 2 years and I read that can cause hair loss too. It's stressing me out.
Wow, did I write this? Haha, I’m going through the same thing and have had COVID twice in 2 years.
I had major hair loss 3 months after I had Covid.
Eventually, it started growing back.
I thought I had heard/read years ago that menopausal women were NOT supposed to consume much iron. Can you shed some light on this and clarify how much iron menopausal women are supposed to consume? Thanks so much and love your channel!❤️
When this happened to me, my ferritin level was 49. My doctor told me that my hair wouldn’t grow back u til it was over 99. He was right!
Iron levels don’t show what is bio available.
Iron glycinate doesn’t cause the awful constipation. Zero side effects
Wow, over 99! My ferritin has always been between 9 and 14 but my doc say this is not really problematic.
Did you see improvement after it reached 100?
@@MrsAnaelimont yes. My hair grew back.
@@o0xXirisXx0o that’s shockingly low, but wonderful that you haven’t suffered any problems. I would get a second opinion. Maybe it’s not a problem, but sometimes you don’t know you feel bad in some way until you feel better. You know? It can affect a lot of things. It can make you tired, for one. The clinically accepted levels aren’t always the levels that give you your best health. Anyway, it’s up to you. I’m not a doctor, I just play one at home.
@@Mistersgoodgirl nice.. how long after it reached 100.. did it take to see improvement?
I’m so tired of the low iron battle. I’m doing everything I can yet my iron level is still not ideal. Oral vitamins don’t do much. The only thing that ever raised my iron level were B12 injections, but my new doctor won’t prescribe them to me.
Megaloblastic anemia
I have Alphathalasemia my iron is always low and my hemoglobin has actually gotten to a 3, and I believe I have an autoimmune disease
Thanks so much for the valuable information. Happy Wednesday, Dr Dray! I hope you have a tranquil evening. 💜
I was so anemic. I could not think. My nails would turn to powder when I cut them and my hair would fall out in clumps, I couldn't breathe well and very tired.
needed this video! thank you.
I’ve increased my intake of iron rich foods, and my dr has advised a low dose iron supp/ 3 days a week. My iron level is very close to normal.
I went to three different doctors who at 37 just told me to take mixodixil and it ended up being low ferritin. I couldn’t believe three doctors Just told me to take that instead of testing me. 😢
Greetings Dr Dray hope u r well n 🖐Hello Every1 n Happy Wednesday😀n what a Wonderful Vid…. thanks n This is Gonna b so Helpful🔥👍n Continued Blessings to All💜….
Morning!
Happy Wednesday everyone xo
Happy Wednesday!
Happy Wednesday Dr Dray…see you tomorrow x💙🤩🎃
Hi Dr. Dray - in your experience, what ferritin level is needed for hair growth? I have heard other dermatologists say 70, some recommend 50 as the minimum. Would really appreciate knowing what you thought.
Trying to remember to be consistent about my iron supplements because of this 😭
What about using derma rolling to help regrowth?
Hi Dr Day, how high should the iron levels be for women gor the hair loss to stop or visibly decrease?
I have anemia and low ferritin I feel horrible but my Dr only says keep supplementing it’s so frustrating I do have an appointment with a hematologist 😢
@dr.dray my ferritin level is 10 but my doc said my overall iron level is normal. I had severe hair loss (androgenic alopecia) and now I m diagnosed with areata. If and whenever I have iron supplement it leads to severe constipation. What should I do????
Dr. Dray, could you one day do a video on the best glycerin free/vegan or vegetable glycerin products you recommend for those who are religious and can not use glycerin due to it often deriving from pork=pigs. I find it hard to find a good facial wash and moisturizers for my skin. It's almost in everything.
I lost sooo much hair this month... even my period was spotting twice in-between the cycle... idk wtf this month. 😢
I found out after I had significant hair loss that I had low iron.
The best iron supplement is Floridix Floravital. It is the only one that I can feel a difference after taking it. I always take iron because I'm a runner.
Interesting. My doctor told me to take Proferrin after stomach surgery. It’s been the only one that helped me. I will look into the one you mentioned! Thanks.
@@sandyshirley5079 Interesting. That is heme iron from cow blood.
@@mountainstream8351 If a vegan iron would work for me, I would go that route, by the way.
Can treatments like PRP or microneedling help to "wake up" hair follicles when my ferritin is where it's suppose to be now? Or is it wasted money?
Low stomach acid is a main reason for nutrient deficiencies.
what is considered to be enough ferritin level for good hair growth?
My Ferritin was 39 and dermatologists say it should be 70
Taking 25mg Iron Bisglycinate every other day with Vitamin C to increase absorbtion, but not sure with how vit C ?
I thought you were holding a cigarette lighter. No I’m not smoker. How do you feel about zinc with copper and is it important to have copper incorporated into zinc or does it matter? Thanks !
Can ferritin deficiency lead to female pattern hair loss? And if by taking supplements this condition reversible Dr?
I’ve dealt with anemia off and on in my younger years. But I haven’t had that issue in years. I’m 74… and I am anemic… I’ve been on eliquis for a year…snow I’m dealing with anemia? My hair is getting very thin…not sure what to do.
Thanks 👍🏽🙏🏽❤❤❤
My ferritin is 30 but high RBC and thick blood so I'm struggling.
I had a hysterectomy due to low iron. A year later and I still have low iron. I was told after the hysterectomy my iron levels would steadily go back to normal, but unfortunately it still hasn’t. My PA referred me to a gastroenterologist. My hair is very course and dry looking even though I hardly ever use heat. I don’t know if that is due to iron. My hair does grow long it’s just dull and dry looking.
You can get a hysterectomy if you have low iron 😮 how
Yayy doctor ❤❤❤
Thank you :)
Regarding therapeutic phlebotomies to treat MPNs like Polycythemia Vera, is there anything to help with hair loss?
What about blood thinners?
Hello doc …how to remove existing tan from hands and feet ?… my body which is covered is fairer than my exposed hands and feet as a result my hands and feet look darker compared to my body 😕.. please help !
See Dr Dray's video, how to fade a suntan.
Use a retinoid and sunscreen and some tyrosinase inhibitors
Hi Dr Dray
How many Mg is a normal Iron range for blood test?
Thanks for the video
💙💜💚
So thorough, as always! I wish you were my professor in grad school 🙏🏽💗👑 your rationals & way of relaying information soothes my brain. Appreciate your light & infinite gratitude from me & my supple snail skin 🥳🐌💧
Ps. My teen daughter thinks I’ve lost it slathering all the snail slime qhs but I said “Dr. Dray said it’s great so don’t hate” 😉💗