TLDR Most lab tests for patients with Telogen effluvium, a type of hair loss, show no or mild abnormalities; only a few specific tests are useful.
The study examined 16,381 lab results from 1,342 newly diagnosed Telogen effluvium (TE) patients, a common hair loss condition, with an average age of 45.1 years and 92.7% being female. It was found that 81.7% of these patients had no or only mild abnormalities in their lab results. Abnormalities ranged from 2.5% (sodium) to 44% (ANA), with most being mild (72.7%). The study concluded that broad laboratory panels often show no or mild abnormalities in TE patients. Therefore, it suggests that only hemoglobin, ferritin, iron, iron saturation, and TSH tests are most useful in evaluating TE. It also recommends deferring lab testing for TE if there's a clear triggering event, and only ordering the aforementioned tests if there's no known trigger.
10 citations,
August 2021 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” Most patients with telogen effluvium had low iron and vitamin D levels; iron supplements were commonly prescribed.
17 citations,
May 2018 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” Most women in the study lost hair due to chronic shedding, with stress and nutrient deficiencies being common factors.
214 citations,
March 1993 in “Archives of Dermatology” Telogen effluvium is a reversible hair loss condition that requires a detailed diagnosis and often resolves on its own.
July 2019 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Lab tests for female hair loss have unclear usefulness; consider based on symptoms.
30 citations,
October 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” The conclusion suggests a possible link between iron levels and hair health in women, recommending further research on iron supplementation for hair loss.
1 citations,
August 2023 in “Cutis” Low ferritin levels can indicate iron deficiency as a cause of hair loss.
29 citations,
January 1993 in “Dermatologic Clinics” Certain medications and maintaining adequate iron levels can help manage women's hair loss.
20 citations,
March 2006 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery” Minoxidil and finasteride can help with hair loss, but more research is needed to improve treatments for certain types of hair loss.
24 citations,
June 2010 in “Clinics in Dermatology” Taking too many vitamin and mineral supplements can cause serious health problems.
