Evaluation of serum iron and ferritin levels in alopecia areata.

Although immunologic processes and hereditary factors are suggested to play an important role in alopecia areata, the specific etiology is unclear. Iron deficiency has been suggested to play a role, but its effect is controversial. In our case control study, we found a higher mean level of serum iron and ferritin and a lower mean level of TIBC in patients compared to control subjects, but the differences did not reach significance.