Hair Loss in Females After Sleeve Gastrectomy: Predictive Value of Serum Zinc and Iron Levels

May 2014 in “ The American Surgeon ”

Jaime Ruíz-Tóvar, Inmaculada Oller, Carolina Llavero, Lorea Zubiaga, María Asunción Castro Díez, Antonio Arroyo, Alicia Calero, Rafael Calpena

hair loss sleeve gastrectomy serum zinc levels serum iron levels zinc supplementation

TLDR Low zinc and iron levels can predict hair loss after sleeve gastrectomy in women.

The study investigated hair loss in 42 morbidly obese females after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), focusing on the predictive value of serum zinc and iron levels. It found that 41% of participants experienced hair loss post-surgery. Although zinc and iron levels were generally within normal ranges, there was a significant association between lower levels of these micronutrients and hair loss. Specifically, a combined variable of zinc and iron levels below 115 was a strong predictor of hair loss, with an odds ratio of 4. Zinc supplementation was effective in stopping hair loss in most cases.

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Research cited in this study

3 / 3 results

research Alopecia in Women with Severe and Morbid Obesity Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

15 citations , July 2011 in “Americanae (AECID Library)”

Higher zinc intake may reduce hair loss after bariatric surgery.

research Hair Loss in Long-Term or Home Parenteral Nutrition: Are Micronutrient Deficiencies to Blame?

31 citations , September 2010 in “Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care”

Micronutrient deficiencies may cause hair loss in people on long-term parenteral nutrition.

research The Diagnosis and Treatment of Iron Deficiency and Its Potential Relationship to Hair Loss

207 citations , April 2006 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Iron deficiency may be related to hair loss, but there's not enough evidence to recommend iron screening or supplements for all hair loss patients.

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research Self-Prescribed Nutrition Supplements for Hair Loss Following Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Bariatric Surgery: Extent of the Problem in a Cohort of Chinese Patients

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Many Chinese patients lose hair after weight loss surgery, especially women, and taking iron and zinc on their own doesn't help.

research Association of Obesity and Bariatric Surgery on Hair Health

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Hair Loss in Females After Sleeve Gastrectomy: Predictive Value of Serum Zinc and Iron Levels

Research cited in this study

research Alopecia in Women with Severe and Morbid Obesity Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

research Hair Loss in Long-Term or Home Parenteral Nutrition: Are Micronutrient Deficiencies to Blame?

research The Diagnosis and Treatment of Iron Deficiency and Its Potential Relationship to Hair Loss

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