What is the appropriate dose of vitamins for hair loss?

Appropriate Vitamin Dosages for Hair Loss

For hair loss, a comprehensive multivitamin containing vitamin D (3000 IU/day), zinc (15 mg/day), iron (45-60 mg/day for those with deficiency), vitamin B12 (250-350 μg/day), and biotin should be recommended, with specific supplementation based on confirmed deficiencies. 1

Key Vitamins and Minerals for Hair Loss

Vitamin D

• Serum vitamin D levels are often lower in patients with alopecia areata compared to controls 1
• Vitamin D levels may be inversely associated with severity of hair loss 1
• Recommended dosage: 3000 IU/day of vitamin D2 or D3, with titration to reach normal serum concentrations of 30 ng/mL 1
• For treatment of deficiency: 50,000 IU vitamin D2 or D3 once weekly for 8 weeks, followed by maintenance therapy of 1500-2000 IU/day 1

Zinc

• Multiple studies show lower serum zinc levels in patients with alopecia areata compared to controls 1
• Serum zinc levels appear inversely associated with severity of alopecia 1
• Recommended dosage: 15 mg/day in a daily multivitamin 1
• For treatment of deficiency: 60 mg zinc twice daily 1
• Important note: When supplementing zinc, maintain ratio of 1 mg copper per 8-15 mg zinc to prevent copper deficiency 1

Iron

• Some studies suggest an association between iron deficiency and hair loss, particularly in women 1
• Recommended dosage: 45-60 mg elemental iron daily from multivitamin and supplements for those with deficiency 1
• For treatment of deficiency: 150-200 mg elemental iron supplements daily 1
• Women of childbearing age or at increased risk of anemia should consume 50-100 mg elemental iron daily 1

B Vitamins

• Vitamin B12: 250-350 μg/day or 1000 μg/week sublingual 1
• Folic acid: 400 μg/day included in routine multivitamin 1
• Biotin (vitamin B7): While commonly marketed for hair loss, evidence for efficacy is limited in those without deficiency 2

Approach to Vitamin Supplementation for Hair Loss

1. Confirm the type of hair loss - Different types of alopecia may respond differently to vitamin supplementation 1

2. Consider laboratory testing for:

   • Vitamin D levels (target >30 ng/mL) 1
   • Serum ferritin/iron 1
   • Zinc levels 1
   • Vitamin B12 and folate 1

3. Base supplementation on confirmed deficiencies:

   • A comprehensive multivitamin containing the recommended daily amounts is appropriate for most patients 1, 3
   • Additional targeted supplementation should be based on laboratory findings 1

4. Monitor response and adjust accordingly:

   • Hair regrowth may take several months to become noticeable 4
   • If no improvement after 4 months, reevaluate approach 4

Important Caveats and Considerations

• Vitamin supplementation alone is unlikely to completely resolve hair loss, particularly androgenetic alopecia 3, 5
• For male pattern baldness, topical minoxidil (5%) has FDA approval and should be applied twice daily (1 mL per application) 4
• Excessive supplementation can be harmful - particularly with fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) 1
• Vitamin supplementation may be more effective when deficiencies are present 3, 5
• Temporary hair loss is common after bariatric surgery and may respond to appropriate vitamin supplementation 2

Practical Recommendations

• Start with a high-quality multivitamin containing the recommended amounts of key nutrients 1, 3
• For specific deficiencies, add targeted supplementation at the doses indicated above 1
• Consider topical treatments (like minoxidil) alongside vitamin supplementation for better results 4
• Allow adequate time (at least 2-4 months) to observe results before changing approach 4