Relationship Between Hemoglobin, Serum Iron, Iron-Binding Capacity, Ferritin, Zinc, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D Levels in Patients with Melasma and the Severity of Their Condition.

BACKGROUND

Melasma is an acquired disease with an unclear etiology. This study aimed to compare the hemoglobin, serum iron, iron-binding capacity, ferritin, zinc, vitamin B12, and vitamin D levels in patients with melasma to those in controls and to investigate a possible relationship between these parameters and melasma severity.

METHODS

One hundred consecutive patients with melasma and 50 healthy controls were included in this case-control observational study. Demographic features and disease duration were recorded. Melasma lesions were scored according to the melasma area severity index (MASI). Hemoglobin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and zinc levels were compared between patients and controls. Possible correlations between these parameters and the MASI were also investigated.

RESULTS

In terms of laboratory data, there were statistically significant differences in hemoglobin, vitamin D, ferritin, and TIBC between melasma patients and the control group, but no statistically significant difference was observed in vitamin B12, zinc, and iron levels. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the MASI score, age, melasma disease duration, and ferritin.

CONCLUSION

The study presented lower hemoglobin, vitamin D, and ferritin levels in patients with melasma than in controls and demonstrated a relationship between lower ferritin levels and melasma severity. Considerations of these deficiencies may contribute to the holistic approach to melasma. Cite this article as: Akal E, Melikoglu M. Relationship between hemoglobin, serum iron, iron-binding capacity, ferritin, zinc, vitamin B12, and vitamin D levels in patients with melasma and the severity of their condition. Eurasian J Med. 2026, 58(3), 1291, doi: 10.5152/eurasianjmed.2026.251291.