12. Unexplained Hair Loss
Have you noticed your hair thinning and falling out? People lose about 100 hairs a day on average, this is entirely normal and nothing to concern you. However, if you notice that your shower or bath drain is clogging up with more hair than usual, this could be an indicator of iron deficiency or anemia.
No clinical evidence suggests anemia or iron deficiency leads to hair loss, particularly in women, but some research suggests they could be related. As hemoglobin levels in the blood diminish, the body struggles to send oxygenated blood to the scalp. The lack of oxygenated blood to the scalp affects the production of new hair follicle cells, reducing the thickness and length of hair growing from damaged follicles.
It’s important to note that iron deficiency does not scar the hair follicles. Therefore, with iron levels restored to a balanced state, hair follicles should respond and return to health.