Evaluation of Serum Zinc Level in Patients With Newly Diagnosed and Resistant Alopecia Areata

July 2015 in “ International Journal of Dermatology ”

Nermeen S. A. Abdel Fattah, Mona M. Atef, Suzan M. Q. Al‐Qaradaghi

alopecia areata serum zinc zinc supplements

TLDR Patients with alopecia areata have lower zinc levels, and zinc supplements might help.

The study evaluated serum zinc levels in 100 subjects, including 50 patients with alopecia areata (AA) and 50 healthy controls. The AA patients were divided into two subgroups: 25 with newly diagnosed AA and 25 with resistant AA. Results showed that patients with AA had significantly lower serum zinc levels compared to controls, with the lowest levels observed in those with resistant AA. There were significant inverse correlations between serum zinc levels and both the severity and duration of AA. The findings suggested that serum zinc levels could serve as a marker for disease severity, duration, and resistance to treatment, indicating that zinc supplementation might offer therapeutic benefits for AA patients.

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Research cited in this study

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research Quality of Life in Alopecia Areata: A Sample of Tunisian Patients

45 citations , January 2013 in “Dermatology Research and Practice”

Alopecia areata significantly worsens quality of life, suggesting a need for mental health support.

The Therapeutic Effect and Changed Serum Zinc Level After Zinc Supplementation in Alopecia Areata Patients with Low Serum Zinc Level

research The Therapeutic Effect and Changed Serum Zinc Level After Zinc Supplementation in Alopecia Areata Patients with Low Serum Zinc Level

65 citations , January 2009 in “Annals of Dermatology”

Zinc supplements increased zinc levels in some hair loss patients but didn't significantly improve hair growth.

research Element Concentrations in Serum, Erythrocytes, Hair, and Urine of Alopecia Patients

51 citations , March 1986 in “Acta Dermato Venereologica”

Alopecia patients had similar element levels to normal people, except for differences in copper and low selenium.

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community POST ACCUTANE HAIR LOSS- Please help and leave your experiences and suggestions

in Female 10 upvotes 4 years ago

A user named Medical_Opinion8120, a 23-year-old female, is experiencing hair loss potentially due to a past accutane course. She has tried minoxidil without success and is currently taking iron and zinc supplements.

community 7 months évolution of finasteride / zinc / vitamin D/ minoxidil / microneedling treatment

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community Female, 27 years old, shedding/ balding despite being on what is considered to be a effective treatment plan for AGA. Considering Dut (oral) . Please help.

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 27 upvotes 1 year ago

A 27-year-old woman with androgenic alopecia is losing hair despite using oral minoxidil and spironolactone, and is considering dutasteride. She is exploring causes like stress and medication side effects, planning tests, and considering treatment changes.

community C’est terrible - at my wits end

in Female 450 upvotes 2 years ago

A 29-year-old woman is experiencing gradual hair thinning since age 15, suspects Androgenic Alopecia, and has tried 5% minoxidil with little success. She has purchased various hair loss treatments including minoxidil, dutasteride, finasteride, and spironolactone, but is cautious about starting them due to potential interactions with her ADHD medication.

community I started rapidly diffuse thinning at 22. I'm 42 now and have as much hair as I did at 16. AMA

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Hair loss treatments like finasteride, minoxidil, ketoconazole, PRP, and microneedling helped maintain hair for 20 years. Research and try evidence-based treatments for best results.

community UPDATE: The theory that explains everything. Please help me make this big!

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research Serum Zinc Concentration in Patients With Alopecia Areata

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People with severe hair loss have lower zinc levels in their blood.