VITAMIN D AND IRON DEFICIENT

Well after years of trying different things to grow my hair with little progress, i visited my dermatologist who did scalp analysis and found nothing wrong, but suggested I go get my iron and vitamin D levels checked. Wouldn't you know it. They are both way too low for healthy hair to grow and stay. Turns out as my Dr said, most african american woman suffer thinning hair as a result of low Vitamin D. For some reason, we just do not metabolize it well and need a supplement to really keep in the normal ranges needed. He said this is the primary cause of our hair "not growing". Anemia is an additional problem because iron is responsible for blood carrying oxygen to the scalp and hair follicules.   At any rate, I am now o Vit D and iron supplements, which my Dr. is almost certain will provide me a full healthy head of hair within a year

I think I may have low iron. At least that is what I was told 3 years ago when I was pregnant with my son.

I'm iron deficient as well and just bought some iron supplements. I'm glad to hear that it can help with hair growth. Now I need to buy some vitamin D!

I have been anemic for 6 yrs. Earlier this year I had to have a blood transfusion at the age of 27! I did not take my iron serious. The blood transfusion was a painful wakeup call for me. I use to black out because my iron was super low. I remember my doctor saying to me that it is a miralce that I did not black out while on my way to the doctor office. Please take your iron pills as needed so it will not get as bad as mine is. I had no idea it affected hair growth. My hair would grow and fall out but I thought it was due to me not taking care of it. Now I know that my low iron played a role. I am now determine to keep my iron in check.

I take a swig of Blackstrap molasses daily to keep iron levels up.

I am also taking Vitamin D as per my doctors orders. My doctor suggested taking it yearlong rather than just throughout the winter too. 

Hmm. I used to take Vitamin D pills on the regular. not sure if I needed to but I did it anyway.

Originally posted by Loves2Laugh Yes, it's harder for darker skin to make Vitamin D in colder climates (compared to Africa, the West Indies). Plus people are advised to avoid strong sun / cover up in the sun. It's v important to make sure you get enough because it can't be made in the body.   ETA: O just google it, it's a fat soluble  vitamin. So it's stored in the body, which means it's possible to OD on it. So if you're taking it make sure the dosage isn't too high.

THIS. If I'm not mistaken, the main problem is that black skin has a natural SPF, so we absorb less sunlight. Sunlight is needed for the synthesis of vitamin D in the body.

to the original poster-what your saying is true and makes sense...Its hard to take iron pills though because it does alot to your bowls and you have to stay away from dairly and you should also take iron pills with vitamin C or large glass of orange juice to make it absorb in the system more..here is a tip (take your iron pills just before bed) you will not experience too much of the side effects this way such as farting you will sleep it through

i dont have any side effects from my iron pills... what are the side effects?!?!? i know my dr said i might have issues going boo boo and that it would be dark... but i boo boo just fine. are there other side effects???

Originally posted by neekie5235 i dont have any side effects from my iron pills... what are the side effects?!?!? i know my dr said i might have issues going boo boo and that it would be dark... but i boo boo just fine. are there other side effects???

i'm a little confused....the vit D theory makes sense...but I'm wondering what the doctors say about some women who live in the tropics and get more than their fair share of sunlight daily...and still have slow-growing hair?...i'm thinking of upping my vit d intake after reading this, but someone else mentioned to be carefull about taking too much, i guess i should check with my doc first...