What causes low iron stores?

What causes low iron stores?

Low serum ferritin levels usually result from the loss of blood during menstruation, which is
just enough to cause a gradual depletion of iron stores in the body. Additionally eating a diet
containing little or no red meat is likely to give rise to a lower amount of available iron.
CTE linked to low body iron stores

Research has shown that if the iron deficiency is corrected and the serum ferritin level is
raised to a certain 'trigger point' then hair growth will resume. In fact, what actually happens is
that the growing stage of the hair follicles is lengthened so, at any one time there are more
hairs in the growing stage.

This means that hair volume will start to increase and any excessive shedding will reduce.
However, this takes several months because ferritin levels can only be raised slowly. Also
once the 'trigger point' is reached and hair growth starts, it takes 2 - 3 months for the
shedding to reduce and another 3 - 6 months for the new hair to reach a length that
contributes outwardly to fuller hair.

Whilst iron is usually the key factor, other nutrients also play an essential role. This was
highlighted by research which showed that a significant proportion of women who were given
an iron supplement failed to respond, even when given a high dose with additional vitamin C
(which is known to help iron absorption).

This problem was overcome when it was realised that intake of the amino acid L-lysine was
very low in many people's diets, particularly those who eat little or no meat.
When L-lysine was added to the other nutrients being given, most women went on to reach
the target ferritin level, and their hair volume subsequently increased. When they stopped the
hair shedding resumed several months later.