AbstractIntroduction: Telogen effluvium (TE) is the most common cause of diffuse hair loss. The present study was conducted to assess heavy metal levels in patients with Telogen effluvium.
Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted on 138 cases of Telogen effluvium of both genders. Equal number of control was also included. The hair samples were placed between the microscopic slides and cover glass for microscopic examination of the hair shaft and root at ×40 magnification. Serum Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, Pb, Co, Cd, and Cu concentrations were determined using a UNICAM- 929 spectrophotometer.
Results: Out of 138 patients, males were 78 and females were 60. The mean cadmium level in group I was 0.21 and in group II was 0.017, iron level was 4.64 in group I and 1.29 in group II, magnesium was 31.5 in group I and 23.1 in group II, lead was 0.27 in group I and 0.019 in group II, zinc was 1.32 in group I and 1.30 in group II, cobalt was 0.41 in group I and 0.02 in group II, copper level was 1.13 in group I and 0.45 in group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: Authors found that patients with Telogen effluvium had significantly higher level of heavy metals than control.
