Seeing more hair in your brush than usual? Hair loss in women can have an underlying medical cause that blood tests can help identify.
What Can Cause Hair Loss
- Thyroid dysfunction: Both hypo and hyperthyroidism can cause hair loss
- Iron deficiency: May be one of the most common causes in women
- Hormonal imbalances: Excess androgens, perimenopause
- Nutrient deficiencies: B12, vitamin D, zinc, biotin
- Autoimmune conditions: Alopecia areata, lupus
- Stress: Telogen effluvium from major stressors
The Hair Loss Lab Panel
Thyroid
- TSH, Free T3, Free T4
- TPO and Thyroglobulin antibodies
Iron
- Ferritin (may be optimal at >70 ng/mL for hair)
- Complete iron panel
Hormones
- Testosterone (total and free)
- DHEA-S
- Estradiol
- Progesterone
Nutrients
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
- Zinc
- Biotin
Other
- ANA (antinuclear antibody) if autoimmune suspected
- CBC to check for anemia
The Ferritin-Hair Connection
Research may suggest that ferritin levels below 70 ng/mL may contribute to hair loss, even when hemoglobin is normal. Many dermatologists may recommend ferritin >70 ng/mL for optimal hair health.
References
- Trost, L. B., et al. (2006). The diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency and its potential relationship to hair loss. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 54(5), 824-844. PMID 16635664
- Kantor, J., et al. (2003). Decreased serum ferritin is associated with alopecia in women. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 121(5), 985-988. PMID 14708596
- Olsen, E. A., et al. (2010). Iron deficiency in female pattern hair loss, chronic telogen effluvium, and control groups. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 63(6), 991-999. PMID 20947203
