May 21, 2013

Women’s Health: Vitamin D Deficiency & Blood Thinners (Heparin), May Equal Hair Loss!

After speaking with some members of the Blood Disorder Network and some people in other groups, I have read a great deal about; Vitamin D deficiency, Blood Thinners (Heparin) and the potential for hair loss. There seems to be a direct correlation between the three. Only in some cases, hair loss seems to be a symptom for women who are battling a blood condition, but who are also Vitamin D deficient.

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Vitamin D - Defined:

“The major biologic function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. It is used, alone or in combination with calcium, to increase bone mineral density and decrease fractures. Recently, research also suggests that vitamin D may provide protection from osteoporosis, hypertension (high blood pressure), cancer, and several autoimmune diseases.” (Source: Mayoclinic.com)

“Researchers at Cairo University found that women who were experiencing hair loss also had lower levels of iron and vitamin D2—and hair loss only got worse as the levels dropped.” (Source: Prevention.com)

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Drug Interactions - Vitamin D Deficiency & Heparin:

Heparin, which is an injection that is administered to patients who experience; blood clots (DVT’s), pulmonary embolisms [PULL-mun-ary EM-bo-lizm] (PE), and strokes or heart attacks may cause a drop in Vitamin D, essential to maintaining healthy bones to prevent illnesses like osteoporosis and hair loss.

For women who are Vitamin D deficient, and who are administered Heparin, may experience some hair loss while in their recovery phase. There isn't sufficient data available to suggest that blood thinners, such as Coumadin to be the culprit in hair loss, but rather a rare interaction (33% of the time) in women who are Vitamin D Deficient, and are given Heparin to decrease coagulation in the blood.

“Findings show a high amount of vitamin D recipients in the hair follicles, but their exact function is not known and proved, yet it is evident that this vitamin helps in the growth and maturation of the hair follicle. Even though a definite conclusion cannot be drawn for hair loss due to vitamin D deficiency, it is observed that this deficiency is one of the contributing factors for hair loss.”

Unfortunately, researchers are only starting to understand the relationship between; Vitamin D and Hair Follicles. It doesn't mean that you shouldn't take preventative measures while taking Heparin or blood thinners. I have noticed some strange affects from blood thinners and wouldn't rule it out.

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Speak to Your Doctor:

If you’re experiencing hair loss while treating a blood disorder, this may be due to the lack of Vitamin D, which is typically caused by a Vitamin D deficiency. Speak to your doctor to have proper blood-work done to determine whether or not you are in fact low on Vitamin D while taking Heparin, this might help prevent hair loss in the near future.

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Sources:

WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/diet/vitamin-d-directory

Prevention.com: http://www.prevention.com/beauty/beauty/vitamin-d-deficiency-may-cause-hair-loss

LiveStrong.com: http://www.livestrong.com/article/511082-effects-of-vitamin-d-on-blood-thinners/

Plosone.org: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0001483

*** Some other sources also used, but not mentioned here.


Sincerely,
Martin R. Lemieux

@CanadaBloodClot 
@Martin_Lemieux
@Blood_Disorder (#TheBloodRevolution)

FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/BloodDisorderNetwork

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