Hair Loss: Who Needs Laboratory Tests?

January 2020 in “ Kocatepe Tıp Dergisi ”

Habibullah Aktaş, Gökşen Ertuğrul

hair loss diffuse hair loss alopecia areata androgenetic alopecia scarring alopecia iron deficiency anemia Vitamin D deficiency male pattern baldness iron deficiency

Studysummary In this study, it was reported that thorough medical history and physical examination can guide the necessity of laboratory tests for patients presenting with hair loss, highlighting their importance in diagnosis.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

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Research cited in this study

18 / 18 results

research Nonscarring Diffuse Hair Loss in Women: A Clinico-Etiological Study from a Tertiary Care Center in North-West India

17 citations , May 2018 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

This study reports that nonscarring diffuse hair loss in women is most common in the 21-40 age group, with low serum ferritin, vitamin B12, and vitamin D3 levels contributing to its pathogenesis.

research The Role of Vitamin D in Non-Scarring Alopecia

32 citations , December 2017 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

This review suggests that decreased serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels may play a role in different types of non-scarring alopecia, but further studies are needed to explore vitamin D supplementation as a therapeutic option.

research Dermatologic Manifestations of Endocrine Disorders

86 citations , October 2017 in “Translational pediatrics”

This review discusses how ophthalmic findings can reveal key endocrine disorders and reports no new clinical results, emphasizing the eye's role in diagnosing and managing systemic diseases like diabetes and Graves' ophthalmopathy.

research Alopecia and the Metabolic Syndrome

30 citations , September 2017 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

This review explores the relationship between androgenetic alopecia and metabolic syndrome, suggesting an association that supports considering cardiovascular risk assessments in patients with this type of hair loss.

research A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss

78 citations , January 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders”

This review discusses the use of biotin for hair and nail growth, noting clinical improvement in cases with existing pathologies, but concludes there is insufficient evidence supporting its benefits for healthy individuals.

research Prevalence of Nutritional Deficiencies in Hair Loss Among Indian Participants: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study

25 citations , January 2017 in “International Journal of Trichology”

This study found that nutritional deficiencies, particularly in amino acids and certain micronutrients, are common in individuals with hair loss across all types of alopecia.

research Clinicoepidemiological Observational Study of Acquired Alopecias in Females Correlating with Anemia and Thyroid Function

19 citations , January 2016 in “Dermatology Research and Practice”

This study observed that telogen effluvium was the most common form of acquired alopecia among females in a semiurban Indian population, with stress and chemical exposure as major exacerbating factors.

research Scalp Dermoscopy or Trichoscopy

69 citations , January 2015 in “Current problems in dermatology”

This review discusses trichoscopy as a noninvasive, effective technique for diagnosing various hair loss conditions and monitoring treatment, highlighting its potential to reduce scalp biopsy necessity.

research Evaluation and Diagnosis of the Hair Loss Patient

86 citations , August 2014 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This article discusses the history taking and clinical examination process for diagnosing alopecia and outlines a diagnostic approach, noting that it reports no new clinical results.

research Vitamin D Deficiency in Alopecia Areata

105 citations , March 2014 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

In this study, patients with alopecia areata were found to have significantly lower serum vitamin D levels compared to those with vitiligo and healthy individuals, with lower levels correlating with increased disease severity.

research BMI and Levels of Zinc, Copper in Hair, Serum, and Urine of Turkish Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia

37 citations , March 2014 in “Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology”

This study reported that Turkish males with male pattern androgenetic alopecia had significantly lower zinc and copper levels in their hair compared to healthy controls, suggesting these imbalances may play a role in the condition's etiology.

research Diffuse Alopecia: Nutritional Factors and Supplements

9 citations , March 2014 in “TURKDERM”

This review discusses nutritional factors important for hair growth and the need to assess and address deficiencies in cases of alopecia, but does not report new clinical results.

research Iron Plays a Certain Role in Patterned Hair Loss

40 citations , January 2013 in “Journal of Korean Medical Science”

This study found that serum ferritin levels were lower in premenopausal women with female pattern hair loss compared to healthy controls, suggesting a potential role for iron in hair loss.

research Analysis of Serum Zinc and Copper Concentrations in Hair Loss

73 citations , January 2013 in “Annals of Dermatology”

This study observed that patients with various types of hair loss had significantly lower serum zinc levels compared to healthy controls, suggesting zinc disturbance may play a role in the condition.

research Serum Holotranscobalamin, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, and Homocysteine Levels in Alopecia Areata Patients

13 citations , May 2012 in “Cutaneous and ocular toxicology”

In this study, researchers found no significant differences in vitamin B12, folate, and homocysteine metabolism between patients with alopecia areata and controls, suggesting no association with vitamin B12 deficiency.

research Biotinidase Deficiency Accompanying Hair Changes and Periorificial Lesions: A Case Report

1 citations , November 2011 in “Turkish Journal of Dermatology”

In this case report, a 6-year-old male with biotinidase deficiency experienced marked improvement in dermatological symptoms, including alopecia and periorificial lesions, following biotin treatment.

research Serum Vitamin B12, Folate, Ferritin, and Iron Levels in Turkish Patients with Alopecia Areata

21 citations , January 2009 in “Indian journal of dermatology, venereology, and leprology”

Vitamin B12, folate, ferritin, and iron levels are not linked to alopecia areata.

The Therapeutic Effect and Changed Serum Zinc Level After Zinc Supplementation in Alopecia Areata Patients with Low Serum Zinc Level

research The Therapeutic Effect and Changed Serum Zinc Level After Zinc Supplementation in Alopecia Areata Patients with Low Serum Zinc Level

65 citations , January 2009 in “Annals of Dermatology”

In this study, oral zinc supplementation for twelve weeks increased serum zinc levels in alopecia areata patients with low zinc, showing positive hair regrowth in 66.7% of participants, though this was not statistically significant.