Hair Loss Profile - Advanced

This is our most comprehensive hair loss investigation, offering the deepest look at the hormonal and health factors that can contribute to hair loss and thinning. It builds on our enhanced profile with a fuller hormone assessment, including adrenal and pituitary hormones, giving the most complete picture of the treatable causes behind hair loss. It is best suited to those who want a thorough investigation, particularly where hair loss is persistent, unexplained, or accompanied by other hormonal symptoms.

Iron status

Iron deficiency is one of the most common causes of hair loss, particularly in women, so this profile assesses it in detail:

• Ferritin: the best marker of your iron stores
• Iron studies (iron, TIBC, and transferrin saturation): give a fuller picture of how much iron is available and how well it is being carried around the body
• Full Blood Count: checks for anaemia and other blood conditions

Hormones

Hormonal imbalances are among the most common and treatable causes of hair loss, and this profile assesses them in depth:

• Thyroid profile (TSH, free T4, and free T3): a full thyroid assessment, as thyroid imbalance is a well-known cause of hair thinning
• Testosterone, SHBG, and free androgen index (FAI): assess your androgen levels, which play a central role in common patterns of hair loss
• DHEA-sulphate (DHEA-S): an androgen produced by the adrenal glands, helping to identify an adrenal source of raised male hormones
• Oestradiol (E2): the main form of oestrogen, changes in which can affect hair
• FSH and LH: pituitary hormones that regulate the reproductive system and can reflect hormonal changes, including around the menopause, that influence hair
• Prolactin: a hormone that, when raised, can disrupt other hormones and contribute to hair loss

Vitamins

• Vitamin D, vitamin B12, and folate (B9): important for healthy hair growth, and a deficiency can contribute to hair loss

Inflammation and general health

• CRP and high-sensitivity CRP: markers of inflammation, which can be linked to some causes of hair loss and general health
• Proteins (total protein, albumin, and globulin): reflect nutrition and general health, both of which affect hair
• Blood sugar (glucose and HbA1c): check for diabetes and blood sugar problems, which can affect overall health and hair

An important note

Hair loss is complex and often has more than one cause. This profile checks for physical and hormonal factors that can contribute to it, but normal results do not necessarily rule out other causes, including genetic hair loss, stress, or scalp conditions, which are not measured by blood tests. Your results are best discussed with your GP, who can consider them alongside your history and, where needed, refer you to a specialist such as a dermatologist.

Why it matters

Hair loss can be distressing, and identifying a treatable underlying cause can make a real difference. By investigating iron status, a full range of hormones, vitamins, and inflammation, this comprehensive profile offers the fullest picture of what may be behind your hair loss, supporting the most informed steps to address it.

Iron Status
- Ferritin
- Iron
- Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)
- Transferrin saturation
- Full Blood Count (FBC)

Hormones
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
- Free thyroxine (fT4)
- Free triiodothyronine (fT3)
- Testosterone
- Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)
- Free androgen index (FAI, calculated)
- DHEA-sulphate (DHEA-S)
- Oestradiol (E2)
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Luteinising hormone (LH)
- Prolactin (PRL)

Vitamins
- Vitamin D (25-OH)
- Vitamin B12
- Folate (Vitamin B9)

Inflammation & General Health
- C-reactive protein (CRP)
- High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP)
- Total protein
- Albumin
- Globulin
- Glucose (GLU)
- Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c)

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