Blood Testing Kits and Hair Loss

Genetics are a major cause of hair loss. However, testing your blood can be a first step in better understanding other contributing factors. Blood tests can help you to diagnosis the root causes of your hair loss and set you on anti-hair loss action plan of your choice. They are easy to use and can reveal any underlying conditions that may be exacerbating your hair loss or thinning such as hormonal changes, thyroid imbalances, and other nutritional deficiencies. You can now order kits online and test in the comfort of your home or office. Here are some of the biomarkers you should look for in a home testing kit:

Vitamin D Levels

This sunshine vitamin is vital not only for strong bones and immunity, it also plays and important role in creating new hair follicles and maximizing hair quality.

Thyroid Profile

Thyroid-related hair loss is often associated with thinning of the hair across the entire scalp. What’s good to note is that hair loss due to thyroid conditions is reversible making this a biomarker you should look for in your kit.

Iron Levels

Iron deficiency is a common nutritional deficiency and can lead to hair loss, especially in women. Damage due to iron deficiencies are also reversible with proper diet and supplementation.

Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral found in many food sources such as proteins, beans and several types of nuts. A deficiency in zinc may lead to hair loss and it’s some researchers think that the mineral may act as an inhibitor to DHT production – the main hormone responsible for male pattern baldness in men.

Other recommended labs can include a Chemistry Panel (Chem7) to look for Kidney Disease, Liver Enzymes (AST/ALT) – to look for Liver Disease and Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) -to look for rheumatologic disorders like lupus, conditions which can also cause hair loss.

Consult with your trichologist or dermatologist about the best blood tests to order for your particular hair loss case.