Biotin levels compared in women with telogen effluvium
What it found
In 90 women with chronic telogen effluvium and 90 controls, serum and urine biotin levels did not differ between the groups.
Zinc was lower and selenium higher in the patients.
What they found
Studies in people
Biotin levels
Serum and urine biotin levels showed no difference between women with chronic telogen effluvium and controls.
Zinc lower in patients
Zinc levels were significantly lower in women with chronic telogen effluvium than in controls.
Selenium higher in patients
Selenium levels were significantly higher in women with chronic telogen effluvium than in controls.
Other nutrients unchanged
Hemoglobin, ferritin, vitamin B12, thyroid function tests, vitamin D and copper levels did not differ between the two groups.
Predicting diagnosis
Zinc, the copper to zinc ratio and selenium were found to have statistically significant diagnostic performance in predicting chronic telogen effluvium. The copper to zinc ratio and selenium value were significant predictors of the condition.
What the authors conclude
“This study shows us that nutritional deficiencies are not as common as thought in patients diagnosed with TE.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say this study shows that nutritional deficiencies are not as common as thought in patients diagnosed with telogen effluvium.
- They advise that other causes of telogen effluvium should be investigated through a detailed history and a good physical examination.
- They add that tests for suspected conditions should be performed and individualized treatment options created for each patient.
How it was done
Telogen effluvium has been linked to iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency and thyroid disease, and use of over-the-counter supplements containing biotin, vitamin D, zinc, copper and selenium is rising in these patients. The authors wanted to see whether nutritional status and vitamin and mineral levels differ between people with telogen effluvium and controls.
They compared 90 women aged 18 and over diagnosed with chronic telogen effluvium with 90 women who came to a dermatology clinic for other reasons, between 01.09.2022 and 01.09.2023. Hair pull tests and scalp dermoscopy were used to diagnose telogen effluvium, then serum vitamin D, zinc, copper, selenium and biotin levels in serum and urine were measured, while hemoglobin, ferritin, vitamin B12 and thyroid function tests were taken from hospital records.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This was a case-control study, so it can show links between nutrient levels and telogen effluvium but not whether one causes the other.
- It included only women aged 18 and over at one dermatology clinic, so the results may not apply to other groups.
Who paid
- Funding
- Funded by AFSU Health Sciences University (from the PubMed record).
- Conflicts
- The authors declares that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper.
- Authors work at
- Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Turkey; Afyonkarahisar State Hospital, Turkey
The paper
- Title
- A comprehensive investigation of biochemical status in patients with telogen effluvium: Analysis of Hb, ferritin, vitamin B12, vitamin D, thyroid function tests, zinc, copper, biotin, and selenium levels
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Durusu Turkoglu IN, Turkoglu AK, Soylu S, Gencer G, Duman R (2024). A comprehensive investigation of biochemical status in patients with telogen effluvium: Analysis of Hb, ferritin, vitamin B12, vitamin D, thyroid function tests, zinc, copper, biotin, and selenium levels. Journal of cosmetic dermatology. doi:10.1111/jocd.16512Free full textPubMed 39107936DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error