Hair Loss Profile Plus

This enhanced profile provides a deeper investigation into the health factors that can contribute to hair loss and thinning. It builds on the essentials with more detailed iron studies, a fuller thyroid assessment, and markers of inflammation, giving a more complete picture of the treatable causes behind hair loss. It is well suited to those who want a more thorough investigation, particularly where a basic check has not fully explained the problem.

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, providing more detail than ferritin alone
• Full Blood Count: checks for anaemia and other blood conditions linked to iron and general health

Thyroid and hormones

Hormonal imbalances are common and treatable causes of hair loss:

• Thyroid profile (TSH, free T4, and free T3): a fuller thyroid assessment, as both an underactive and overactive thyroid can cause hair thinning and loss
• Testosterone, SHBG, and free androgen index (FAI): assess your androgen (male hormone) levels, which play a central role in common patterns of hair loss in both men and women

Vitamins

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

Inflammation and general health

Underlying inflammation and general health can also affect the hair:

• CRP and high-sensitivity CRP: markers of inflammation, which can be linked to some causes of hair loss and to 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, thyroid and hormones, vitamins, and inflammation in more detail, this enhanced profile helps build a fuller picture of what may be behind your hair loss, supporting more informed steps to address it.

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

Thyroid & Hormones
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
- Free thyroxine (fT4)
- Free triiodothyronine (fT3)
- Testosterone
- Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)
- Free androgen index (FAI, calculated)

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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