How Low Iron Levels Can Lead to Hair Loss (And How to Fix It)

Maybe it started with seeing more hair than usual in your shower drain or hairbrush. Then, before you knew it, you could see it in the mirror. There are many possible reasons for hair loss, but one of them is a simple nutritional shortfall: you may be low in iron. The good news is, if that’s the problem, you can do something about it.

The link between iron deficiency and hair loss

Why does iron deficiency lead to hair loss? The answer lies in ferritin. Ferritin is a protein your body produces to store iron, and it’s present in hair follicles. When your body starts to get low on iron, it raids ferritin iron stores in hair follicles first to spare other parts of the body. (Really, body? That’s where you had to go?)

Sorry to break the news, but if you’re low in iron, hair loss is just the beginning of your problems. Iron helps your body produce red blood cells. All your organs need a healthy supply of red blood cells to function effectively because they deliver oxygen where it’s needed. Everyone is different, but if you’re also feeling dizzy or tired, experiencing shortness of breath, suffering from frequent headaches, or dealing with brittle nails or difficulty concentrating, there’s a good chance low iron is to blame.

If you recognize any of these signs—or if you have more hair in your hairbrush and less hair on your head—it’s important to get your iron and ferritin levels tested. If you are indeed low, you may want to try incorporating more iron-rich foods into your diet (like liver, lentils, shellfish, pumpkin seeds, tofu, and spinach). However, it’s difficult to raise iron levels through diet alone, so it’s a good idea to take an iron supplement as well.

Ferritin+™: Effective, gentle iron

You don’t want just any iron supplement, though. Iron can be notoriously hard for your body to absorb. Worse, it can cause stomach upset or constipation. That doesn’t sound fun—but taking iron doesn’t have to be uncomfortable.

Flora’s Ferritin+™ is a plant-based ferritin iron supplement made from organic peas. It has a natural protein coating that allows the iron to be released into your digestive tract slowly and gently, so you can absorb it without the risk of digestive distress.

Clinical research has shown that plant-based ferritin iron raises and maintains healthy iron levels, both in your blood and in your body’s ferritin reserves. And all it takes is just one capsule a day.

It can take several months to reverse hair loss. If you don’t see results in three months, ask your doctor about having your ferritin levels retested. Once they’re back to normal, you may have your luxurious locks back too!

About the Author: Flora Health

A privately-owned nutraceutical manufacturer and distributor established in 1965, Flora is known for high quality whole food supplements, full-spectrum botanical extracts, unrefined seed oils, and liquid health tonics. In addition to its Flora brand, Flora also distributes Alaffia, Auromère, BiologicVET, Efamol, Gandalf, and Udo’s Choice.