How Far Should We Investigate Diffuse Alopecia in Women?

July 1996 in “ Clinical and Experimental Dermatology ”

Claire Dupont

diffuse alopecia androgenic alopecia thyroid function tests full blood count iron deficiency anemia menorrhagia calcipotriol psoriasis systemic calcium homeostasis hair loss thyroid tests blood count iron deficiency heavy menstrual bleeding topical treatment calcium levels

TLDR Routine thyroid tests for diffuse alopecia in women may not be necessary, but checking for iron deficiency anemia could be useful.

The document discusses the investigation of diffuse alopecia in women, a condition often without a clear cause but commonly considered a form of androgenic alopecia. The study assessed 50 female patients with diffuse alopecia, aged 16 to 69, with symptoms lasting from 3 months to 30 years. Routine thyroid function tests and full blood counts were conducted, with all results normal except for one patient with iron deficiency anemia due to menorrhagia. The conclusion suggests that thyroid tests may not be routinely warranted unless clinical signs support it, but a full blood count may be worthwhile as iron deficiency anemia could have a causal role in some cases of alopecia. The document also includes a separate study on the effects of calcipotriol, a topical treatment for psoriasis, on systemic calcium homeostasis, concluding that a single application of 6g does not have an acute effect on systemic calcium levels.

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