Can b12 deficiency cause hair loss
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Can B12 Deficiency Cause Hair Loss?
Introduction to Vitamin B12 and Hair Health
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is essential for various bodily functions, including DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation, and neurological function. Its role in cell growth and division makes it crucial for maintaining healthy hair. Deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to several health issues, including hair loss.
Impact of Vitamin B12 Deficiency on Hair Loss
Hair Loss in Pregnant Women
Research indicates that vitamin B12 deficiency can significantly impact hair health, particularly in pregnant women. A study involving 85 women, including 50 pregnant women with chronic diffuse hair loss, found that those in their last two trimesters with severe hair loss had significantly lower levels of vitamin B12 compared to non-pregnant women 1. This suggests a strong correlation between vitamin B12 deficiency and hair loss during pregnancy.
General Hair and Skin Health
Another study reported a case of reversible generalized hyperpigmentation of the skin and nails, along with premature gray hair, due to vitamin B12 deficiency. The patient, who had pernicious anemia, experienced a return to normal pigmentation and hair color after treatment with intramuscular cyanocobalamin 2. This case highlights the broader impact of vitamin B12 deficiency on hair and skin health, further supporting the link between B12 deficiency and hair loss.
Conclusion
In summary, vitamin B12 deficiency can indeed cause hair loss, as evidenced by studies on pregnant women and individuals with pernicious anemia. Ensuring adequate levels of vitamin B12 is crucial for maintaining healthy hair and preventing hair loss. If you suspect a deficiency, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider for appropriate testing and treatment.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Effect of zinc, ferritin, and vitamin B12 deficiency on hair loss in pregnant women
Pregnant women with severe hair loss during their last two trimesters have lower zinc, hemoglobin, PCV, ferritin, and vitamin B12 levels, but not vitamin D or TSH levels.
Rigorous JournalReversible hyperpigmentation of skin and nails with white hair due to vitamin B12 deficiency.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause reversible hyperpigmentation of skin and nails with premature gray hair, but treatment with intramuscular cyanocobalamin can restore normal pigmentation.
Case ReportREVERSIBLE HYPOPIGMENTATION OF HAIR SECONDARY TO VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY
Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause reversible hypopigmentation of hair in children, with improved general condition and normalizing hemoglobin levels after treatment.
Case ReportSerum Vitamin B12 in chronic telogen effluvium patients: A case–control study
Vitamin B12 deficiency is more common in chronic telogen effluvium patients than in controls.
Serum ferritin and vitamin D levels should be evaluated in patients with diffuse hair loss prior to treatment
Serum ferritin and vitamin D levels are generally low in patients with diffuse hair loss, suggesting they should be evaluated and supplemented prior to treatment.
Observational StudyThe Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review
Micronutrients play a crucial role in normal hair follicle development and immune cell function, and deficiency may be a modifiable risk factor for alopecia.
Systematic Review
Highly CitedVitamin B12 deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency affects individuals of all ages, particularly the elderly, and is caused by inadequate intake, bioavailability, or malabsorption, with management relying on B12 supplementation.
Highly CitedVitamin B12 deficiency in children from Northern India: Time to reconsider nutritional handicaps
Two-thirds of anemic children in Northern India have vitamin B12 deficiency, with neurological manifestations predominant in younger children and hematological abnormalities more frequent in older children.
Observational StudyRigorous JournalNutritional Recovery Batwing Dystonia in Infantile Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Injectable B12 treatment for infantile B12 deficiency can cause transient batwing dystonia, potentially due to basal ganglia dysfunction.
Rigorous JournalA Review of Vitamin B12 in Dermatology
Vitamin B12 deficiency and excess can lead to various dermatological manifestations, including hyperpigmentation, hair and nail changes, and oral changes.
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