Diagnosing Alopecia with the Proper Bloodwork and Tests

Helping your doctor run the proper blood tests to diagnose your thinning hair problem.

It is extremely important to find a qualified physician to treat hair loss. A dermatologist is usually a good doctor to start with, as they specialize in treating skin diseases, including problems associated with hair and hair loss. Let's get started...

Finding a Doctor

A good starting place for finding a board certified dermatologist is through the American Academy of Dermatology website. Unfortunately, if your insurance carrier is enrolled in an HMO, you may not have the freedom in choosing a dermatologist. Shop around until you find one you are comfortable with, either way.

Preparing for your Doctor Visit

Coming in armed with all the appropriate information is the key to making the best of your situation. As mentioned, preparing for your doctor's visit can help you receive a more accurate diagnosis. This preparation includes a blood test and writing down or being aware of your hair loss and medical history by answering these questions:

• How long have you been losing your hair and when did it start?
• Is your hair falling out fully intact or is it breaking off?
• Do you have a family history of baldness?
• Or of diabetes, thyroid problems, asthma, arthritis, lupus, vitiligo, anemia, PCOS, or Addison's disease?
• Are you on any medications, and if so, what are they?
• What does your normal diet consist of?
• Have you experienced sudden weight loss?
• Have you recently given birth, had a hysterectomy or gone through menopause?
• What kind of hair products do you use, and what do you use to style your hair?

Blood Tests and Bloodwork: Diagnosing Women's Hair Loss

Blood tests are equally as important in accurately diagnosing hair loss. It is absolutely imperative to get these blood tests done:

• DHEA, Testosterone, Prolactin, Follicle Stimulating and Leutinizing Hormone
• DHEA-Sulfate
• Androstenedione
• Free Testosterone
• Total Testosterone
• Thyroid Tests: T-3, T-4, and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
• Iron
• Serum Ferritin
• Hemoglobin/Hematocrit or CBC (Complete Blood Count)
• TIBC (Total Iron Binding capacity) » Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Expect your doctor to have varying degrees of understanding. Some only know to suggest Rogaine. They know little or nothing about the blood tests. Politely insist on getting the tests done, and once you've got your results, we encourage you to post them in our Discussion Forum so that you can get input and support from our other members who had the same tests done.

Treatments for Thinning Hair in Women

Even if you haven't had your doctor visit just yet, and you're still putting together the information, you may wish to begin using products that have been shown to benefit and even reverse thinning hair. There are only a core group that have any science backing them. We will present them to you next...

 

Step 4: Treatments for Women with Thinning Hair

 

If you are experiencing patchy hair loss, or sudden drastic head or body hair loss, we will be publishing guides for you in the coming months as well.

We encourage you to join our Discussion Forums where we have social networking forums just for those of you with conditions like these: Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Totalis, and Alopecia Univesalis.