Diagnostic Tests for Hair loss

Diagnostic Test list for Hair loss:

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Hair loss includes:

• Physical examination
  • Determine the pattern of hair loss - e.g. male pattern balding, focal alopecia areata (localized loss of hair in round or oval areas without any visible inflammation of the skin in hair bearing areas), alopecia totalis (loss of all scalp hair and eyebrows, alopecia universalis (the end stage of alopecia areata with complete loss of all body hair).
  • Examine area of skin where there is hair loss to determine if there is a skin rash, skin inflammation or skin scarring
  • Examine nails. If alopecia areata- type hair loss and nails are also affected, this suggests poor prognostic chance of hair re-growth
• Blood tests
  • Full blood count
  • Iron studies
  • Thyroid function tests
  • ANA autoantibodies
  • Syphilis serology
  • In women with hair loss and evidence of excess androgens measure total testosterone, free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and prolactin
• Skin and hair scrapings - for microscopy and culture looking for bacteria and fungi.
• Skin biopsy - will help identify lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, alopecia areata.

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