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What tests are best to be done?
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Skin & Hair Concerns
Question #20997
281 days ago
390

What tests are best to be done?

Amelia

For over six months, I have been experiencing excessive hair loss. At first, I was sure it was due to anaemia because my iron and ferritin levels were low, but I normalised them and the problem persisted. My GP recommended that I have my thyroid and hormones tested. What exactly should I have tested in terms of my thyroid and hormones in relation to hair loss? Please help.

Age: 21
Chronic illnesses: depression, anaemia, anxiety
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Doctors' responses

Hello,

1. Thyroid function TSH – main screening test Free T4 – to check thyroid hormone levels Optional: Free T3 – if TSH or T4 is abnormal Reason: Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can cause hair thinning.

2. Sex hormones (especially if hair loss is frontal or diffuse) Total testosterone – high levels can indicate androgen-related hair loss Free testosterone – optional, sometimes more sensitive DHEAS (Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) – adrenal androgen LH, FSH – to check ovarian function Prolactin – very high levels can cause hair thinning Estradiol – especially in women with irregular cycles

Reason: Hormonal imbalance can trigger female pattern hair loss / androgenic alopecia.

3. Nutritional / deficiency markers Ferritin – even if previously normal, low ferritin can cause hair shedding Vitamin D – deficiency is linked to hair loss Vitamin B12 – sometimes contributes

4. Other tests (if indicated) ANA / autoimmune panel – if hair loss is patchy (alopecia areata) Scalp biopsy – only if diagnosis is unclear

Key points Since you already corrected iron, focus on thyroid + hormones first. Tests should ideally be ordered and interpreted by a doctor, because hair loss often has multiple contributing factors.

Lifestyle factors (stress, anxiety, diet, medications) can also worsen hair shedding.

I trust this helps Thank you

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Hello dear See thyroid hormone is required for basal metabolic rate. Excess can cause wasting of muscle and hyperactivity with exophthalmos while reduction can cause slowness and excess weight gain So please get below tests done for confirmation Serum tsh Thyroid antibodies Serum ferritin Serum pituitary Serum dhea Serum testosterone Regards

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Tests for hair loss often involve evaluating thyroid function and hormone levels since imbalances can contribute to the condition. For thyroid, you should have your TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) level tested, which is the standard screening test. Depending on your TSH results, additional tests like Free T4 and Free T3 may be indicated to provide a clearer picture of your active thyroid hormone levels. These tests together can identify hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, both of which can affect hair health.

In terms of hormones, particularly relevant would be checking levels of DHEA-S (Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate), testosterone, and possibly SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin). These would assess for possible androgenic alopecia, which can cause hair loss when androgen levels are high. If you’re a woman, considering an evaluation of estrogen and progesterone levels, especially if there are additional symptoms of hormonal imbalance like changes in menstrual cycle, may be helpful.

If those tests don’t uncover any significant problems, it might be worth discussing with your doctor about further investigations into other potential causes, such as autoimmune issues like alopecia areata, or nutritional deficiencies beyond iron that affect hair growth, like zinc or vitamin D. Lifestyle factors might also play a role, so stress management, diet, and sleep quality should be assessed to ensure comprehensive care. Considering these options is all a part of making sure you’re not missing anything that could contribute to the ongoing hair loss issue.

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