BLOOD TESTS FOR HAIR LOSS – WHAT BIOMARKERS TO LOOK FOR
While genetics are the most common reason for hair loss in men, there are a number of other conditions that may cause shedding all over the scalp such as hormonal changes, thyroid imbalances, and nutritional deficiencies, and a simple blood test can reveal a lot of those. Wondering what blood biomarkers to look for in your test? Read on.
Iron Profile
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world and it is well-known for causing anemia (in which the body does not produce enough red blood cells), but you may be surprised to learn that it can also cause hair loss. While scientists are not sure how and why iron deficiency causes hair loss, the damage is often reversible, and hair regrowth is usually possible when the deficiency is corrected through diet or supplementation.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral that is found in many food sources such as animal proteins, beans, fortified cereals, and many types of nuts. If you’re not getting enough zinc in your diet – and this can happen easily if you’re vegan or vegetarian, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a GI condition that reduces nutrient absorption – then you may experience the annoying effects of zinc deficiency which include poor immune health, lack of alertness, and hair loss. The relationship between zinc and hair loss is complicated and some researchers think that the mineral may act as an inhibitor to DHT production – the main hormone responsible for male pattern baldness in men.
Vitamin D
We all know that vitamin D is vital for strong bones and immunity, but did you know that your body also needs the sunshine vitamin to create new hair follicles? As vitamin D deficiency happens to be one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in the UAE – with more than 80% of the population lacking adequate amounts of the vitamin in their blood – it is recommended that you take a blood test if you haven’t done so already, and check where you stand.
Thyroid Profile
If you have a thyroid condition, it’s possible that it could cause some degree of hair loss. Unlike male pattern baldness, thyroid-related hair loss usually doesn’t result in a receding hairline or a bald spot at the crown – instead, it usually leads to thinning of the hair across the entire scalp. Hair loss related to thyroid may affect your eyebrows, eyelashes and body hair too. What’s reassuring though is that hair loss due to thyroid disorders is often reversible especially if detected and managed in a timely manner.
What about DHT?
If you’ve never heard of DHT before (short for dihydrotestosterone) – it is a derivative of testosterone that is formed in the blood and has the ability to bind to hair follicles in the scalp causing them to shrink until they stop growing. DHT is also known to be the primary hormone responsible for genetic hair loss in males.
And so, a common question is whether doing a blood test for DHT has any value in managing hair loss.
The short answer is, no.
Despite the important role DHT plays leading up to hair loss, the usefulness of a DHT blood test is questionable, as researchers think that the sensitivity of hair follicles to DHT – which is genetically determined – is far more important than the actual level of DHT in the blood. Research also found high blood concentrations of DHT in people with and without hair loss and higher levels of DHT were not associated with more severe hair loss.
The Valeo Hair Loss package includes all relevant biomarkers to help you pin down the cause of your hair loss including the complete iron and thyroid profiles, zinc, and vitamin D. You also get to review your results with a qualified health expert and get actionable advice on how you can improve your hair quality and quantity through diet, lifestyle and supplementation.
