WHAT IS
As hair growth disorders are considered:
- poor quality – loss of scalp
- male alopecia
- intense hair growth in hands, face, abdomen, legs in women – children
INDICATIONS – IMPORTANCE
Poor quality – Hair loss often comes from:
- Lack of trace elements (eating disorders – malabsorption – increased losses)
- Systemic diseases (autoimmune, chronic inflammation etc.)
- Thyroid disorders
- Genital factors
- Strong psychological issues
In male alopecia, the loss may come from:
- The common reasons of poor quality – loss as mentioned above
- Hormonal disorder
In women and children, unexpected intense hair growth, especially in places where hair is not expected, is a sign of hormonal disturbance.
LABORATORY TETS
A. Low quality hair (nail and skin) or loss
Laboratory testing identifies potential chronic – systemic deseases, deficiencies in trace elements – vitamins, or thyroid disorders :
Basic Check Up
It is checked that there is no systemic disease that may be involved in low hair quality.
Test / Analyte | Description / Detects - Measures |
---|---|
Complete Blood Count - | Measurement Hematocrit, Red -White Blood Cells - Platelets and Morphology Detects Anaemias, Infections - Bone marrow disorders. Indications of chronic deseases |
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate | Chronic Inflammations - infections |
CRP-hs | Accute Inflammations - infections. Cardiovascular risk factor |
Glucose | Diabetes |
Urea | Renal function |
Creatininine | Renal function |
Uric Acid | Arthritis Nutritional assesment |
Total Cholesterol | Cardiovascular Risk Factors Cholesterol Dietary intake Drug therapy assessment |
HDL Cholesterol | |
LDL Cholesterol | |
Triglycerides | |
Atheromatosis Index | |
Liver Enzyme γ-GT | Liver function test Hepatitis B/C - drug -alcohol induced - fatty liver - cancer etc |
Liver enzymes ALT & AST | |
Urine | Bladder health Kidney function |
Iron (Fe) , and iron stores with ferritin (Ferr)
In cases of iron deficiency (dietary insufficiency, loss of appetite, loss) the hair thins, breaks, falls.
The vitamins folic acid and B12 (Vit B12)
Possible vitamin deficiency, degrades the quality of hair.
Zinc (Zn)
Necessary trace element in healthy hair composition and hair maintenance.
freeT4 (free thyroxine) and TSH (thyroid hormone) ,
These are the basic tests for thyroid function and to rule out possible hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism that potentially affect hair quality.
Optional Check in case of loss
If low levels of folic acid, vitamin B12, zinc are found, additional tests in vitamin A control, vitamin C and vitamin E could be useful in assessing dietary supplements that should be given to enhance hair growth.
B. In male alopecia
Additional tests of a possible hormonal disorder includes measurements of the androgens:
- Testosterone / Free Testosterone
- Dihydrotestosterone with DHT
C. Increased hair growth in children – women
The hormonal profile is assessed with particular emphasis on the ratio of androgens to estrogens:
- LH (luteinizing hormone) / FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)
- Testo (Testosterone) Main androgen
- DHEA-S (dehydroepiandroster sulfate) Secondary androgen
- D4-Epiandrostenedione Secondary androgen
- SHBG Foesdesmethylic protein
- E2 (estradiol) Main estrogen
- PRL (prolactin)
——————–
Information selected from :
- MayoClinic.org
- Labtestsonline.org
- Interpretation of Diagnostic Tests – J.Wallach
The exact choice of tests required is under the responsibility of your treating physician
Editor: I. Gratsias Lab Director / Clinical Biochemist
Last Update May 2019
Your examinations with analytical systems and reagents
top quality SIEMENS-USA BECMAN COULTER-USA
PREPARATION
As a preparation for morning blood sampling and examination, it is suggested:
- to make a mandatory meal last night.
- taking the last meal up to 11-12 hours before blood collection.
- the evening meal has the least possible animal fat (if it contains cheeses, fatty dairy and meats).
- in the morning not to have lunch, except coffee and a toast, with free water.
TIME FOR RESULTS
- Results are given within a day
- For faster delivery, we suggest sending the results by email
COST
PRIVATE CHARGE
- Hair loss panel at 121 euros ( original 213 euros)
- Of Men hormone tets at 55 euros (original 74 euros)
- Hormonal profile in female – children at 133 (original 177 euros)
- Optional control on vitamins A, C, E has additional charges