Looking for an Answer

[kph]

I am 22 a year old male with hair loss. I am also a 9 year leukemia survivor. I have had many, many blood transfussions and as a result have a very high ferritin level. I have read that low ferritin levels can be the cause of hair loss. Could very high levels be the cause? If so, would hair regrow if ferritin is normal again?

[Dr. Glenn Charles]

How long have you had the hair loss or thinning problem? Have you had any other treatments for the Leukemia? Do you have male pattern/ genetic hair loss in your family?

[kph]

My hair came back but not as thick after bone marrow transplant August 2003. (I had high doses of radiaiton and chemotherapy in 2002 and 2003.) My hair began to thin the year following transplant. I have been using Rogain and Minoxile shampoo to slow down the thiningbut it continues to thin. Since cancer treatment was over 7 years ago, I have been wondering if there are other health issues may cause hair loss. Since I found a link between low ferritin and hair loss, it made me curious if very high levels of ferritin could be a cause of hair loss. My ferritin level is currently 1600, down from 2300 last year.

[kph]

Father and paternal uncles have hair loss not starting until their late fifties. No hair loss on my mother's side.

[Dr. Glenn Charles]

Your situation is unique. I have never heard of elevated ferritin levels causing hair loss. However, I would imagine that any significant elevation or depression of important blood components could have a negative effect on the hair, especially if you also have a genetic pre disposition for hair loss.