Androgens, such as testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and their prohormones dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and androstenedione (A) are the key factors in the growth of terminal hair.
Thyroid Test
Sudden hair loss is linked to long-term thyroid diseases such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Therefore, examining any fluctuation in thyroid hormone production helps identify if the condition is related to the said disorders.
As with male pattern baldness, female pattern baldness comes from hormone imbalances, specifically dihydrotestosterone imbalances, or DHT. This hormone is similar in structure to testosterone, but it is significantly more potent [3].
Estrogen and progesterone can help keep your hair in the growing (anagen) phase. Therefore, these hormones can help your hair stay on your head longer and may even help your hair grow faster. This may be why many women notice their hair thinning starts to improve with estrogen replacement therapy.
Disturbances in sex, stress, thyroid, and other hormones may lead to heavy hair loss. A balanced diet, regular physical activity, and a good hair care routine can help reverse hair loss. Exercise and yoga may aid blood flow to the hair follicles and may maintain hair health up to a certain extent.
After menopause, women have the option to replace their depleted estrogen through hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This is a synthetic form of the hormone delivered via a gel, cream, skin patch or oral supplement. HRT reverses hormonal hair loss for some women, but it may make the problem worse in others.
Women with too much dihydrotestosterone may develop increased body, facial and pubic hair growth (called hirsutism), stopping of menstrual periods (amenorrhoea) and increased acne. Abnormal changes to the genitalia may also occur in women with too much dihydrotestosterone.
The Hair Loss (Alopecia) Blood Test Panel includes Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential and Platelets, Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH), Testosterone Total, Iron and TIBC, Sedimentation Rate (ESR), and Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA).
The TSH test
When the body produces too much or too little thyroid hormone this may lead to hair shedding. The single best test for thyroid problems is a blood test for “TSH” or thyroid stimulating hormone. If the TSH is abnormal, several additional thyroid tests can be ordered, including a "free T4".
Severe and prolonged hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause loss of hair. The loss is diffuse and involves the entire scalp rather than discrete areas. The hair appears uniformly sparse. Regrowth is usual with successful treatment of the thyroid disorder, though it will take several months and may be incomplete.
Thyroid Problems
Either an underactive thyroid (a medical condition called hypothyroidism), or an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), can result in hair loss because each condition causes a hormonal imbalance.
Sudden hair loss is typically a sign of two conditions: telogen effluvium or alopecia areata. Telogen effluvium is commonly caused by stress, which increases the natural rate of hair loss. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes your body to attack its hair follicles, resulting in hair loss.
To stop DHT, try natural remedies such as apple cider vinegar rinse and green tea rinse, take supplements like saw palmetto and zinc, manage stress, exercise, and get enough sleep. Medications like minoxidil and finasteride, as well as hair transplant surgery, can also help.
Increased DHT (dihydrotestosterone) can be caused by conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer, male pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia), and excessive male-pattern hair growth in females (hirsutism).
This dihydrotestosterone (DHT) blood test measures the amount of DHT hormone in the blood. A DHT test requires a blood drawn from the arm. Once you've placed your order on our website, bring your test requisition form to a laboratory that is closest to you.
Hair loss from menopause or childbirth often goes away after 6 months to 2 years. For hair loss due to illness (such as fever), radiation therapy, medicine use, or other causes, no treatment is needed. Hair usually grows back when the illness ends or the therapy is finished.
In addition to keeping your bones strong, estrogen and progesterone keep your hair healthy. A decrease in these hormones causes an increase in androgen production which causes hair follicles to shrink and contribute to hair loss.
Here's the hard truth: Little can be done to permanently change the diameter of individual hair strands. Thickening products can do wonders to temporarily plump hair strands, but when it comes down to it, fine hair is genetic and can't be changed.
Women who have thin hair with no bald patches may have a hormonal imbalance caused by excess levels of androgens, a class of hormones that includes testosterone. Signs of androgen excess include hair loss and baldness; hair growth on the face, chest, or abdomen; and irregular menstrual periods and acne.
It doesn't reverse it so why do many trans women experience a reversal of their prior hair loss once they begin HRT? It's believed that the addition of estrogen for trans women may make the difference when used in combination with DHT blockers.
Androgens, such as testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and their prohormones dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and androstenedione (A) are the key factors in the growth of terminal hair.
Iron and Hair Health. If you are not getting enough iron through your diet, you may experience excessive hair shedding (Telogen Effluvium). You may also find that your hair will not grow past a certain length.