TRICHOSCOPY AS A NON-INVASIVE TOOL FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF DEFICIENCIES OF VITAMIN B12, VITAMIN D3 AND SERUM FERRITIN

Aim & Objective: To evaluate the efcacy of trichoscopy in identifying deciencies of Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3, and serum ferritin in patients with Telogen Efuvium (TE). Background/Introduction: Telogen efuvium (TE) is a common cause of diffuse hair loss often triggered by various factors, including nutritional deciencies. Material & Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from May 2023 to August 2023. Fifty participants aged 19-45 years with clinically diagnosed TE and conrmed deciencies in Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3, and/or serum ferritin were included. Trichoscopic evaluations were performed using a Dermlite DL4 dermatoscope. Results: The majority of participants (88%) were female, with signicant correlations found between serum Vitamin D3 and Vitamin B12 levels (r = .316, p = .025) and between serum Vitamin D3 and ferritin levels (r = .299, p = .035). Specic trichoscopic patterns were signicantly associated with these deciencies, particularly the presence of few vellus hairs (p = 0.019). Conclusion: Identifying specic trichoscopic patterns linked to B12, D3, & ferritin deciencies can aid in early diagnosis and management, reducing the need for invasive blood tests.