Hair loss profile LIS Code: SP40
Comprehensive hair loss blood test assessing vitamin, hormone, and iron levels. Detects causes of thinning, shedding, and hormonal hair loss in men and women.
What's included in this profile
- An enzyme found mainly in the liver
- Raised levels can indicate liver inflammation or damage
- Commonly checked alongside AST to assess liver health
- The main protein made by the liver
- Helps maintain fluid balance in the blood
- Low levels can indicate liver or kidney problems, or poor nutrition
- An enzyme found in the liver, bone and bile ducts
- Raised levels can point to liver, bile duct or bone conditions
- Interpreted alongside other liver markers for context
- An enzyme found in the liver, heart and muscles
- Raised levels can suggest liver or muscle damage
- Used alongside ALT to help pinpoint the cause of liver stress
- A waste product from normal muscle breakdown, filtered by the kidneys
- Raised levels can indicate reduced kidney function
- Used to calculate eGFR (estimated kidney filtration rate)
- An older, general marker of inflammation in the body
- Measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a test tube
- Often used alongside CRP for a fuller inflammation picture
- Reflects the body's stored iron levels
- Low levels are the earliest sign of iron deficiency
- High levels can indicate iron overload or inflammation
- A Bvitamin essential for cell division and red blood cell production
- Deficiency can cause fatigue and anaemia
- Particularly important before and during pregnancy
- A calculated ratio of testosterone to SHBG
- Estimates the amount of biologically active androgen
- Commonly used in the assessment of PCOS
- The active, unbound form of the main thyroid hormone T4
- Checked alongside TSH to assess thyroid function
- Helps confirm an over or underactive thyroid
- Measures red cells, white cells and platelets
- A foundational test for overall health, anaemia and infection
- The 'Differential' breaks white cells down by specific type
- An enzyme sensitive to liver and bile duct problems
- Often raised with alcohol intake or bile flow issues
- Helps confirm whether a raised ALP is liverrelated
- A group of proteins involved in immune function and transport
- Assessed alongside albumin to give a fuller liver/immune picture
- Abnormal levels can reflect liver disease, infection or inflammation
- The main sugar circulating in the blood, used for energy
- Raised fasting levels can indicate prediabetes or diabetes
- A cornerstone test for metabolic health
- A key electrolyte important for heart and muscle function
- Abnormal levels can affect heart rhythm and need prompt attention
- Closely linked to kidney function
- A protein that binds testosterone and oestrogen in the blood
- Affects how much hormone is 'free' and active
- Needed to accurately interpret total testosterone results
- A key electrolyte that regulates fluid balance
- Abnormal levels can reflect kidney, hormonal or hydration issues
- Commonly checked as part of a routine metabolic panel
- The primary male sex hormone, also present in women
- Affects energy, muscle mass, libido and mood
- Low levels in men can cause fatigue and reduced sex drive
- The pituitary hormone that signals the thyroid to produce T3/T4
- The primary firstline test for thyroid function
- Raised or low levels suggest an underactive or overactive thyroid
- A breakdown product of old red blood cells, processed by the liver
- Raised levels can cause jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes)
- Helps assess liver function and red cell turnover
- The combined total of albumin and globulin in the blood
- Reflects overall nutritional and liver status
- Abnormal results prompt a closer look at albumin/globulin individually
- A waste product from protein breakdown, filtered by the kidneys
- Raised levels can indicate reduced kidney function or dehydration
- Interpreted alongside creatinine for a fuller picture
- Essential for nerve function and red blood cell production
- Deficiency can cause fatigue, tingling and memory issues
- Common in vegetarians/vegans and older adults
- Essential for bone health, calcium absorption and immunity
- Deficiency is common, especially in winter months
- One of the most frequently tested vitamins in the UK
- A mineral important for immune function and wound healing
- Deficiency can affect taste, smell and skin health
- Checked as part of nutritional assessment
About this profile
Hair loss can result from a variety of underlying factors, including nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, thyroid disorders, and genetic predisposition. This comprehensive blood test profile identifies key biological and nutritional markers that contribute to hair thinning, shedding, or pattern baldness in both men and women. Early detection of imbalances through blood testing can support targeted treatment and prevention strategies.
Vitamins and Minerals
Zinc: Plays a vital role in protein synthesis and hair follicle repair. Deficiency can cause hair thinning, brittle nails, irritability, and reduced appetite. Since the body cannot produce zinc naturally, it must be obtained through dietary sources such as shellfish, legumes, nuts, and red meat.
Vitamin D: Essential for stimulating hair follicle activity and promoting growth. Low vitamin D levels are linked to alopecia areata and general hair thinning.
Vitamin B12: Supports red blood cell production, which ensures proper oxygen delivery to hair follicles and promotes growth.
Folate (Vitamin B9): Works alongside Vitamin B12 to replenish red blood cells, stimulate hair follicle regeneration, and delay premature greying.
Hormones
TSH & Free T4: Evaluate thyroid function, as both underactive and overactive thyroid conditions can lead to significant hair loss or thinning. Thyroid imbalance can disrupt new hair growth and cause patchy hair loss.
Testosterone: Both elevated and reduced testosterone levels influence hair growth. Excess DHT (a byproduct of testosterone) can cause hair follicle shrinkage and male or female pattern baldness.
Screening Tests
Ferritin: Indicates iron storage levels in the body. Low ferritin is one of the most common causes of hair thinning in women, as the body depletes ferritin reserves from hair follicles during deficiency.
Full Blood Count (FBC) and Biochemistry: Provide insight into general health, red and white blood cell production, and potential anemia or deficiencies affecting hair quality and growth.
