title: Evaluation of Anxiety and Levels of Serum B12, Folate, TSH, Ferritin, and Zinc in Telogen Alopecia Patients with Trichodynia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Trichodynia refers to pain, discomfort, and/or paresthesia of the scalp. Trichodynia may be associated with anxiety.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess serum vitamin B12, folate, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), ferritin, and zinc levels, and to investigate anxiety in telogen alopecia patients with trichodynia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 31 telogen alopecia patients who complained of trichodynia and 30 telogen alopecia patients without trichodynia. Their serum vitamin B12, folate, TSH, ferritin, and zinc levels were assessed and their anxiety levels were scored using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference was found in the serum levels of vitamin B12, folate, TSH, ferritin, and zinc in the patient and control groups. The anxiety scores in both groups were similar.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data provide no evidence for the association of serum vitamin B12, folate, TSH, ferritin, and zinc levels or anxiety scores with trichodynia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
authors.forename: Perihan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.forename: Fatma Ozlem
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Orhan
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ozer
authors.forename: Yasemin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Akman
authors.forename: Ergul
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kurutas
keywords: Anxiety; ferritin; folate; telogen alopecia; thyroid stimulating hormone; trichodynia; vitamin B12; zinc