ABSTRACT

Background: Serum ferritin is a good indicator of quantifying the risk of hair loss among women. Iron lead to low serum ferritin level; therefore, a low serum ferritin level can precisely point toward iron deficiency.

Objectives: To determine the mean serum ferritin levels in female patients with androgenetic alopecia.

Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Dermatology, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi from 2^nd October 2018 to 1^st April 2019.

Methodology: One hundred female patients with androgenic alopecia of all ages after puberty were included. Patients with scarring and other non-scarring alopecia, who had taken iron, vitamin B12, folic acid or multivitamin supplements, anticoagulants, anti-thyroid drugs, antimitotic drugs and oral contraceptives were excluded. After aseptic measures,5 ml of venous blood was drawn, into sterile and disposable plastic syringes. Serum ferritin was measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) test, based on sandwich ELISA.

Results: Mean age was 33.94±6.29 years and 65 (65.0%) of patients ranged from 36 to 50 years. Average duration of disease was 6.25±2.43 months. Mean weight was 58.77±9.17 kg. Mean serum ferritin levels in female patients with androgenetic alopecia was 33.10±42.99ng/ml.

Conclusion: Serum ferritin levels in female patients with androgenetic alopecia are low.