NHS GP reveals how she boosted her hair growth in one month – and breakfast item can help
HUGE, thick locks are something that many of us can only dream of.
However, there is one, very simple way to help encourage hair growth, according to an NHS GP - and it works fast.
According to the NHS, around eight million women, and more than six million men, in the UK experience hair loss or some form of hair loss.
And although it may not life-threatening, hair loss can be very distressing for the person experiencing it.
Dr Shireen, known for sharing health tips on TikTok, has opened up about her experience with hair thinning and revealed the steps she took to restore her locks in just a few weeks .
"Up until a year ago, this section of my hair was competely empty, on both sies" she says, while pointing to a section of her scalp near her face.
Read more on iron
In the clip, viewed by over 64K people, that same section is now full of baby hairs.
"I had taken a blood test which showed I was really iron deficient, my ferritin levels were really low," she explained.
Iron is crucial for the production of hemoglobin, which helps red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body - including to the scalp and hair follicles.
When the body is low on iron, the body may prioritise more vital organs over hair growth.
This can lead to weakened follicles and slower hair regrowth.
As a result, hair may fall out or grow more slowly.
Iron deficiency can also lead to a condition called telogen effluvium, where hair prematurely enters the shedding phase.
Other symptoms can include tiredness, shortness of breath, noticeable heartbeats and pale skin pale skin.
GPs can test the blood for red blood cell count.
If it is low, they might recommended taking iron tablets to restore levels in the body.
Within "a month to six weeks" of Dr Shireen taking iron suppliments and "restoring those [iron] levels" she started to notice hair growth.
People can also get iron through their diet, which the NHS GP says is still "best way" to improve iron levels.
The NHS recommends that adult men should aim for around 8.7 milligrams of iron per day.
For women aged 19 to 50, the recommendation is higher at 14.8 milligrams per day, due to iron loss during their period.
After the age of 50, a woman’s iron needs drop to 8.7 milligrams per day, which is the same as for men.
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Many breakfast foods are rich in iron, making it easy to hit your daily target early on. Foods like spinach, eggs, tofu, fortified cereals, and beans are all great sources, helping you get your iron intake sorted before the day even really begins.
"Suppliments are a good additionl for those who struggle to eat enough of these foods," she explains.
Most common vitamin deficiencies in the UK
Vitamin D deficiency is the most common vitamin deficiency in the UK.
The UK's location means it's deficient in UVB for most of the year, and the body can only produce vitamin D through sunlight exposure.
Other common vitamin deficiencies include:
Vitamin B12
Vegans and vegetarians are at higher risk of deficiency because plants don't contain the vitamin. Stomach conditions or operations can also prevent the body from absorbing enough vitamin B12.
Iron
Pregnancy or heavy menstrual periods can deplete iron stores.
Calcium
As oestrogen levels drop, the body's ability to absorb calcium decreases. Vegans may also be at risk because they avoid dairy products.
Potassium
Low dietary potassium intakes are common in the UK, especially among women. Low levels can occur due to a variety of reasons: poor diet lacking potassium-rich foods, excessive sweating, taking diuretic medications, chronic kidney disease, diarrhoea or vomiting, laxative abuse, eating disorders, and certain metabolic conditions