Laboratory evaluation is very often essential particularly in women because it reflects the probability of underlying disease that are causing or contributing to hair loss. Mandatory testing includes:
- total iron, total iron binding capacity, iron saturation
- ferritin
- T4 (a thyroid hormone) and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)
- Vitamin D
In women whose symptoms reveal the underlying androgen excess (irregular menstrual cycles, acne, infertility, obesity, hirsutism), the following hormones are evaluated:
- estradiol
- progesterone
- testosterone – total and free
- prolactin
- LH (Luteinizing hormone)
- FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone)
- DHEA
Concomitant follow up with an endocrinologist is very often critical if some of those values are high.
