Do Vitamin Deficiencies or Thyroid Problems Cause Scarring Alopecia? What the Latest Research Says

🩺 Why This Matters

Many people with scarring alopecia wonder whether low iron, vitamin D, or thyroid problems might be behind their hair loss.

But a new 2025 study published in Cutaneous and Ocular Disorders has provided some clarity — and reassurance — on the subject.

🧬 What Is Scarring Alopecia?

Scarring alopecia (also known as cicatricial alopecia) is a group of inflammatory hair loss disorders in which the hair follicle becomes permanently destroyed and replaced by scar tissue.

Common types include:

• Lichen planopilaris (LPP)

• Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA)

• Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE)

• Pseudopelade of Brocq

• Folliculitis decalvans

Once a follicle is scarred, it cannot regrow — which is why early diagnosis and inflammation control are essential.

These types of alopecia are uncommon and contrast with the much more common non-scarring alopecias such as androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium.

🧪 What the Study Looked At

Between 2020 and 2025, researchers in Turkey examined 68 adults diagnosed with scarring alopecia and compared them with 68 healthy controls.

They measured blood levels of:

• Ferritin (iron stores)

• Folate (vitamin B9)

• Vitamin B12

• Vitamin D

• Thyroid hormones (TSH and free T4)

🔍 What They Found

There were no statistically significant differences between the scarring alopecia group and the healthy control group for any of these markers.

In short: People with scarring alopecia had similar iron, vitamin, and thyroid levels to those without hair loss.

If you’d like to read the full research paper yourself, you can find a link to it here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40957422/

🧠 What This Means for You

This is an important finding. This study’s results suggest that: Micronutrient deficiencies are not a cause of scarring alopecia.

That said, testing blood levels of ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin D, TSH and T4 are still worth doing because deficiencies or thyroid function problems can co-exist as well as scarring alopecia and make hair loss appear worse, even if they are not the main cause.

🔬 The Bigger Picture

This study reinforces that scarring alopecias are immune-driven.

While lifestyle and nutrition support general wellbeing, active inflammation should be treated with medical therapies such as topical or oral anti-inflammatories, intralesional steroids, or possibly PRP in early stages.

💚 Practical Takeaway

• Don’t blame yourself or your diet.

  
  

  Scarring alopecia isn’t caused by low vitamin D or iron.

• Optimise your health anyway.

  
  

  Balanced nutrition and stable thyroid levels help protect your remaining hair and overall wellbeing.

• See a specialist early.

  
  

  Early diagnosis and inflammation control are crucial to preserving hair that hasn’t yet scarred.

🧘‍♀️ Emotional Health and Support

Scarring alopecia can be difficult emotionally. It can trigger feelings of grief, frustration, or fear.

Remember:

• You’re not alone—support groups and professional counselling can help.

• Alopecia UK offers free support and has active support groups across UK.

• Growth Factor Hair Clinic has specialist help available from our Consultant Clinical Psychologist.

🩺 Final Word from Dr Gwen Adey

I often meet patients who’ve spent months or years trying different supplements and wondering if their diet caused or contributed to their condition.

The findings of this study should hopefully bring you relief.

👉 Book a Consultation or Contact Us to learn more.