Experiencing Excessive Hair Fall or Hair Thinning?
Hair loss can be linked with iron deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, metabolic problems and hormonal changes. The right blood tests can help identify possible underlying causes.
Get Personalized GuidanceBlood Tests for Hair Loss in Men & Women
Hair fall should not always be treated by randomly adding shampoos, vitamins or supplements.
A better approach is to first check the most important nutritional, metabolic and hormonal markers that may contribute to excessive hair shedding or scalp thinning.
Below is a simple Initial + Advanced Blood Testing Framework for both women and men.
Blood Tests for Hair Loss in Women
1. Complete Blood Count – CBC
- Hemoglobin
- Hematocrit
- RBC Count
- MCV
- MCH
- MCHC
- RDW
- WBC Count
- Platelet Count
2. Complete Iron Profile
- Serum Ferritin
- Serum Iron
- TIBC
- Transferrin
- Transferrin Saturation – TSAT
3. Thyroid Profile
- TSH
- Free T4
- Free T3
4. Vitamins & Minerals
- 25-OH Vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
- Folate / Vitamin B9
- Serum Zinc
- Serum Copper
- Ceruloplasmin
- RBC Magnesium
5. Metabolic Tests
- Fasting Blood Glucose
- HbA1c
- Fasting Insulin
- HOMA-IR
- ALT / SGPT
- AST / SGOT
- ALP
- GGT
- Total & Direct Bilirubin
- Albumin
- Total Protein
- Serum Creatinine
- eGFR
- Urea / BUN
- Serum Calcium
- Serum Phosphorus
Consider these additional tests when hair loss is associated with PCOS, acne, facial hair, excessive body hair, irregular periods, widening of the scalp part or female-pattern thinning.
Hormonal Panel for Women
- Total Testosterone
- Free Testosterone
- SHBG – Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
- DHEA-S
- Androstenedione
- LH
- FSH
- Estradiol – E2
- Prolactin
- 17-Hydroxyprogesterone – 17-OHP
Additional Tests When Indicated
- Anti-TPO Antibodies
- Anti-Thyroglobulin / Anti-Tg Antibodies
- CRP
- ESR
- Homocysteine
- Selenium
- PTH – Parathyroid Hormone
Blood Tests for Hair Loss in Men
1. Complete Blood Count – CBC
- Hemoglobin
- Hematocrit
- RBC Count
- MCV
- MCH
- MCHC
- RDW
- WBC Count
- Platelet Count
2. Complete Iron Profile
- Serum Ferritin
- Serum Iron
- TIBC
- Transferrin
- Transferrin Saturation – TSAT
3. Thyroid Profile
- TSH
- Free T4
- Free T3
4. Vitamins & Minerals
- 25-OH Vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
- Folate / Vitamin B9
- Serum Zinc
- Serum Copper
- Ceruloplasmin
- RBC Magnesium
5. Metabolic Tests
- Fasting Blood Glucose
- HbA1c
- Fasting Insulin
- HOMA-IR
- ALT / SGPT
- AST / SGOT
- ALP
- GGT
- Total & Direct Bilirubin
- Albumin
- Total Protein
- Serum Creatinine
- eGFR
- Urea / BUN
- Serum Calcium
- Serum Phosphorus
Consider advanced testing when there is rapid scalp thinning, early-onset male-pattern hair loss, hormonal symptoms, low libido, abnormal testosterone status, unexplained fatigue or other endocrine symptoms.
Hormonal Panel for Men
- Total Testosterone
- Free Testosterone
- SHBG – Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
- DHEA-S
- Estradiol – E2
- LH
- FSH
- Prolactin
Additional Tests When Indicated
- Anti-TPO Antibodies
- Anti-Thyroglobulin / Anti-Tg Antibodies
- CRP
- ESR
- Homocysteine
- Selenium
- PTH – Parathyroid Hormone
Initial Tests vs Advanced Tests – Keep It Simple
Start with the Initial Panel to evaluate the common nutritional, iron, thyroid and metabolic factors associated with hair loss.
Move to the Advanced Panel when symptoms suggest hormonal, inflammatory, autoimmune or other underlying problems.
Blood testing should always be interpreted together with the pattern of hair loss, diet, medications, stress, recent illness, scalp health and medical history.