EVALUATION OF IRON, FERRITIN, FOLIC ACID, ZINC AND VITAMIN B12 LEVELS IN ALOPECIA AREATA

Background Alopecia areata is an auto immune disease in which autoantigens, T cells play an important role causing inflammation around anagen phase of hair follicles. Aim : The aim of this study was to analyse Serum Iron, Ferritin, Folic acid, Zinc and Vitamin  B 12 levels in patients with Alopecia areata and to find their role in Alopecia areata. Materials and Methods: The study was done in ASRAM Medical College and Hospital. The study includes 80 patients with clinically and trichoscopically diagnosed AA cases, and 160  healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Levels of Serum Iron, Zinc, Folic acid, Ferritin, vitamin B12, Haemoglobin, MCV and SIB were recorded in both groups. Results : Serum Iron,Feritin, Folic acid and Zinc deficiency is more common in Alopecia areata. There was no significant difference in Vitamin  B 12  between patients and controls. Conclusions: It is  recommended that Serum Iron, Zinc, Folic acid  and Ferritin deficiency should be screened in Alopecia areata cases .