Abundant hair fall out: what tests to pass first?

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Experts divide the factors that affect baldness into several groups: various diseases, endocrine system malfunction, head injuries, neurological disorders, treatment with certain drugs.

After the emergency period has passed, the normal functioning of the body's protective cover will be restored.

What can affect the dropout process?

Inflammatory processes.
Dysbacteriosis.
Insufficient activity of the immune system.
Hormonal abnormalities.
Infectious diseases of a fungal or bacterial nature.
Deviations in the work of the thyroid gland.
Medication for pressure, neurological disorders, arthritis, rheumatism.
Chemotherapy, radiation exposure.
Contraceptive drugs.
Surgical intervention in the body.
Stress, depression.
Damage to the epidermis in the head.
Aging.
Heredity.
Improper nutrition.
Hard hairstyles.
Chemical effects on the hair (frequent visits to the hairdresser).

You should be alerted by chronic hair loss, excessive thinness of hair, sharp thinning of curls, dermatitis in the head, itching, rash, redness, skin sensitivity, brittleness, hair nipping.

To find out why the hair falls in your case, you need to be patient and begin to be tested. For what will need to be tested, the interpretation of their results with the recommendations for treatment is the responsibility of the trichologist.

Baldness diagnosis

Do your own test with a smack of curls. Pinch a thin section of hair between your thumb and forefinger.

Pull with pressure, but slightly. If you have more than 6 hairs left in your fingers, you need to think about making an appointment with the trichologist.

He will begin his consultation with a detailed survey. He will be interested in how long the balding began, what is the frequency of hair loss.

Are there any ancestors in the family who suffered from thinning of hair? Do you have an overload, for example, at the place of work? Also, the doctor will find out your methods of hair care, the nature and duration of sleep, dietary preferences, past diseases.

After the survey, the doctor will examine the scalp and make a trichogram - a microvideo camera study that will show how thickly the hair grows, the condition of the epidermis.

Ideally, the examination should be as extensive as possible, spending a lot of time in a large medical center, whose specialists you trust. Make a diagnosis of all organs.

Actually this is also for those people who have long abandoned thoughts about their health to the far corner and think only about their daily needs, passing only routine medical examinations at their place of work.

The trichologist will first recommend a patient with signs of baldness to visit a gynecologist and an endocrinologist. As for men, they, along with women, will be sent to a gastroenterologist, a neurologist, for an ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland, and then for a complete blood count.

Analyzes for hair loss and more detailed. For example, blood for biochemistry. His result will show a specialist whether the liver works normally, the kidneys, will let you know about the presence or absence of inflammatory processes, will reveal the balance of trace elements.

The next stage of diagnosing hair diseases for the beautiful half is blood donation for hormones. Specialists often specify such a list: prolactin, T3, T4, TSH, FSH, LH, free testosterone, DHEA-S, progesterone.

An even more in-depth analysis to clarify the situation will reveal the level of serum iron, which tells about the likelihood of anemia. She, too, is one of the causes of baldness.

Among the specific analyzes that must be taken to assess the state of the hair and the reasons for its thinning, it is necessary to note the spectral monitoring and mineralogram.

They will show the content of some elements in the hair and in the body as a whole. And if the loss is due to an imbalance of minerals, which indicates deviations in the work of the internal organs, the doctor will prescribe the correct and effective treatment.

In addition to the above, you need to pass tests:

For common infections.
On parasitic infections. Helminths, whose existence in the human body causes persistent intolerance to their waste products, can also cause hair loss.
Biopsy of the scalp to find out if there is a fungus.

5 mandatory tests for hair loss

Author Oksana Knopa date May 13, 2016

When a person has a large amount of hair dramatically, when they become much thinner in six months, you should consult a doctor who will prescribe tests to identify the cause. In many cases, premature baldness can stop and even restore the lost scalpiness to the scalp. Hair loss tests are necessary to determine the optimal treatment program.

Hair loss must be investigated.

When the help of the trichologist is required

In the human body, there is a constant cell renewal. This mechanism affects hairline. The growth of hair due to the processes that occur in the follicles. In the bulbs, which are in an active state, new hairs form within a few weeks. Those as they grow grow out the “old” ones, due to which a natural renewal of hair occurs.

The processes described above lead to the fact that a person loses several dozen hairs daily. Normally, this indicator does not exceed 100.

The help of the trichologist will be required when the following clinical events occur:

appearance of bald patches on the parietal or frontal parts of the head,
the gradual replacement of long hair fluff,
the formation of large areas (nests) devoid of hair.

Alopecia (especially in women), caused by a lack of vitamins or hormonal disruption, does not require specialized treatment if these provoking factors are eliminated. In other cases, when it is not possible to independently determine the cause of baldness, it is recommended to seek help from the trichologist.

How is the inspection

During the initial visit to the trichologist, the doctor finds out the following circumstances:

duration and intensity of hair loss,
the presence of similar problems with the next of kin,
patient's lifestyle
have there been cases of exposure to severe stress in the recent past,
the nature of the patient’s food and sleep,
hair care features (type of shampoos, masks, and so on).

Important! Additionally, an examination of the scalp is performed to identify fungal lesions or skin pathologies.

Further the following procedures are appointed:

The first method involves the examination of the hair of the head with a microscope. For this, a small amount of strands is removed from the affected area.

More information about the patient's condition is provided by the photo trichogram. The procedure is carried out in two stages. First, a small area is shaved on the patient's head. After 2-3 days, hair grown to the required length is examined using a trichoscope. The method allows to evaluate:

the number of active hair follicles
growth rate of new strands,
ratio of hair at different stages of growth.

If the described procedures did not help to identify the causative factor, patients should undergo additional tests.

Lab tests

So, what tests should be taken when hair falls out? Mandatory prescribed general and biochemical blood tests. The first shows the concentration:

Attention! Any significant deviations from the normal concentration of these elements and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate indicate the course of the pathological process.

Biochemical analysis of blood is carried out to assess the condition of individual organs.

Due to the fact that alopecia develops due to a weakened immunity, an immunogram is assigned to determine the state of the latter. Along the way, it is recommended to pass allergy tests.

Additionally, tests are conducted on the level of hormones (thyrotropic, triiodothyronine, tetraiodothyronine), and the collection of material from the organs of the reproductive system. If recent studies have shown violations in the endocrine system, the doctor prescribes:

Ultrasound of the thyroid gland. The method allows to assess the condition of the body, its size and other indicators.
Gynecological examination of the reproductive system.

When these methods do not give a positive result, or a primary examination by a trichologist showed the presence of concomitant pathologies, the patient sent to:

Neurologist. Dysfunction of the nervous system adversely affects the condition of the skin and hair. Strong, chronic stresses reduce the growth rate of the strands and contribute to their excessive loss.
Gastroenterologist. Peptic ulcer, gastritis, intestinal dysbacteriosis and a number of other pathologies disrupt metabolic processes, as a result of which the hair does not receive enough nutrients. This leads to the development of alopecia.

If necessary, other tests are assigned to testosterone, prolactin and other hormones.

Test results

Complete blood count can show low levels of red blood cells, hematocrit and hemoglobin. These results indicate iron deficiency anemia, in which the body experiences oxygen starvation.

Biochemical analysis of blood allows to evaluate:

Glucose level Elevated levels of the substance indicate diabetes.
Protein level Exceeding the allowable rate is typical for infectious pathologies, articular and connective tissue diseases.
The condition of the kidneys and liver.
The nature of water-salt metabolism.

High levels of sex hormones may indicate the presence of hirsutism in women, which actively grows hair on different parts of the body (chest, legs). At the same time, focal alopecia develops on the head.

This pathology is curable subject to timely access to trichologist. If you suspect alopecia, you should immediately be examined by a doctor.

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Hair analysis for hair loss

Many patients ask questions that relate to the topic of hair loss and tests:

where to start finding out the reasons for the loss process ?,
What tests are needed to determine the problem of hair loss ?,
who to ask for advice on hair loss? etc.

Diagnosis of hair loss is the first step in treatment. An appointment for research should be obtained from your attending trichologist.

Treatment of hair loss begins with an examination, when the doctor receives information about the patient's condition (hair and scalp). Survey of the patient allows the doctor to draw conclusions about a number of factors that are necessary for the appointment of tests for hair loss, diagnosis and preparation of treatment programs. In particular, the trichologist needs to know the following about you:

is there a risk of hereditary hair loss,
what diseases have you suffered lately
were there any reasons for a strong nervous overstrain, stress,
how do you eat
how do you care for your hair (shampoos, masks, styling products).

After collecting the history, the doctor sends the patient to pass tests with hair loss. What kind of research will need a doctor? All individually.

What are the tests for hair loss?

Examination for hair loss should begin with a general blood test. This item applies to both women and men. Also, the doctor can send a biochemical blood test, which will give a complete picture of your health.

If you want to improve the condition of your hair, special attention should be paid to shampoos that you use. A frightening figure - in 97% of shampoos of famous brands are substances that poison our body. The main components, due to which all the troubles, on the labels are designated as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, coco sulfate. These chemicals destroy the structure of the hair, the hair becomes brittle, lose elasticity and strength, the color fades. But the worst thing is that this filth enters the liver, heart, lungs, accumulates in the organs and can cause cancer. We advise against using the means in which these substances are located. Recently, experts of our editorial staff conducted an analysis of sulfate-free shampoos, where the first place was taken by funds from the company Mulsan Cosmetic. The only manufacturer of all-natural cosmetics. All products are manufactured under strict quality control and certification systems. We recommend to visit the official online store mulsan.ru. If you doubt the naturalness of your cosmetics, check the expiration date, it should not exceed one year of storage.

Representatives of both sexes should do an ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland.

Women with hair loss need to pass tests at the gynecologist-endocrinologist. In 75% of cases, the loss is due to an imbalance of hormones.

A blood test for hormones for hair loss is usually taken on the following parameters:

If your hair falls out badly, the causes may be associated with any internal diseases (diabetes, thyroid gland enlargement, anemia, adrenal gland diseases, etc.), lack of vitamins, harmful chemical effects.

With hair loss, a blood test for serum iron will show the presence of anemia, which also provokes the hair loss process.

Hidden health problems

Hair problems are evidence that something is wrong with the body. It is not for nothing that the beautiful actress Catherine Zeta-Jones states that beautiful hair is inconceivable without good health: "If your hair has become dull and brittle, then thank them for warning you about the danger." What to say about the abundant loss!

So do not rush to run to the cosmetics store and buy all sorts of means of hair loss and to improve hair growth, etc. - first of all, it is necessary to deal with common health problems.

Of course, looking for a needle in a haystack will not be easy at all. But for starters, it would be nice to go to a therapist and pass all the basic tests. Among the main causes of hair loss are problems with the stomach and intestines, including dysbacteriosis. More serious abnormalities may be waiting for you at the endocrine system level. It is mandatory to check the thyroid gland and sex hormones. Hidden enemy can also be found in the field of gynecology - any infection in the body is ready to affect the density of your hair.

However, the cause of hair loss may be quite different, so read this article completely, carefully and thoughtfully.

Chronic or temporary loss?

The causes of severe hair loss can be very much. And you need to consider whether the disease is temporary or has already become chronic. The most common cause of hair loss in women is hormonal imbalance.

It can be both diseases and the result of hormonal drugs, such as contraceptives. Antibiotics, chemotherapy can also lead to hair loss. But in this case, as well as after pregnancy, the hair is usually restored on its own.

Even the abuse of salty taste in the diet can cause focal alopecia and alopecia, it was noticed in antiquity.

Complete baldness ?!

Hair loss can be irreversible when the bulbs atrophy. Many women are faced with such a terrible problem as androgenic alopecia. This terrible phrase can mean both serious hormonal changes in the body, and genetically determined hair loss and thinning.

One thing pleases: women’s baldness is not complete, unlike men. It is simply impossible to fight this problem on our own - you need to turn to a doctor - just not to the one that comes from the word “lie”.

Trichological approach

Doctors who treat hair are called trichologists. If earlier we knew nothing about such specialists, today women’s journals more and more often recommend us to contact trichologists. How can these mysterious people help us, and can they?

Trichologists of a good clinic or laboratory will diagnose the condition of the hair, scalp, hair follicles. They will examine the hair and the bulb under a microscope, measure the thickness of the hair and describe the general situation with your hair. It is possible that you did not care for your hair and did not even think about what type of hair you have, type of scalp and other important issues that may also indirectly affect the loss.

Therefore, examination of a good and honest trichologist can make your life much easier and give a hint that it is better to choose from an extensive range of hair loss and care products. But…

Trichological lie. "Trust but check!"

Find a good trichologist is not so easy. Today, beauty is a business area and an industry for making big money, so many “specialists”, unfortunately, are only focused on making a profit. In the end, you can offer a very expensive treatment, and even without guarantees, because here they simply can not be.

Many clinics are convinced of the effectiveness of their methods of treating hair loss. This may be injections of vitamins into the scalp, massage, rubbing lotions and special tools.

All this is very expensive and often not very effective. It often turns out that the true problem of hair loss, as already noted, is something completely different. A good specialist should, above all, help you deal with your health, try to identify the cause, and send it to the tests.

Sometimes good specialists can be found at the department of dermatology at medical universities.

One of the common causes of hair loss are problems with the scalp, namely seborrhea. Let's try to make out what this attack is.

Seborrhea - this is the wrong work of the sebaceous glands, resulting in dandruff, oily scalp, peeling, itching and even psoriasis. Seborrhea is dry or oily, but one and the other can lead to baldness, hair loss. If the pores are clogged, the bulb cannot function normally, and the hair slowly becomes thinner.

The cause of these troubles can be all the same problems in the body, but perhaps just the wrong care for hair. In any case, skin and hair care products should be changed.

At the same time, consider one simple recommendation: wash your head with lukewarm water. Hot water may impair hair condition and eyesight. Electric hair dryer is also a concern: either do not use it, or keep at a distance of 20 centimeters from the hair or more.

Do not believe the "magic" means

Today, in pharmacies you can find a huge amount of "miraculous" means that will "cure" us of everything in the world. However, before heeding the advice of unfortunate pharmacists or advertisers and hurriedly buying “magic” shampoos and lotions, it is better to conduct your own investigation. It makes sense to discuss the remedy you need with a doctor you trust.

In addition, it is useful to inquire about the benefits of a particular treatment for hair from friends, as well as look for information about the funds on the Internet and look at a couple of forums to read the reviews and advice of fellow victims. In any case, whatever you are offered, do not believe the “magic” means - try to analyze, search for information in different sources, since there is no shortage of them today. With some drugs sold in a pharmacy and actively advertised, you need to be especially careful!

These are products that contain minoxidil (or pinotsidil and diazoxide) and can really stimulate hair growth. However, with the discontinuation of the received effect may be lost!

In addition, the reaction of different people to such funds is different. Someone's hair begins to fall out even stronger ... Thus, with the "miraculous" means you have to be very, very careful.

Lose weight and go bald ?!

We all want to be slim, like girls on the covers of magazines, and even scary stories about the depletion of models do not always stop us on the way to the cherished thinness. However, we should not forget that good hair is one of the main advantages of any beautiful woman, and if you go wrong on the fasting path, we risk losing this trump card.

Sharp weight loss, inadequate nutrition - especially at a young age - all this simply can not affect the condition of the hair. Therefore, before you go on a diet, it is better to consult a doctorotherwise the results may be deplorable.

The most secret reason

Not less harm to our hair does stress. Depression, anxiety, depressed state - all this can greatly affect the state of our hair. Sometimes we ourselves do not guess the connection between hair loss and misfortune suffered, because the hair begins to fall out not immediately after the shocks experienced, but after a month or two or even later.

That is why, if you are faced with the problem of strong hair loss, first of all, sit down and think what bad has happened in your life over the past year. After all, no doctor can help you if you do not heal from spiritual wounds. How to be in this situation?

To thinning hair or balding men, the attitude is rather calm, but for a woman this is a real tragedy. To stop this process and regain a thick and beautiful hair, first of all you need to know the cause of female baldness, which caused the problem. Therefore, tests for hair loss - this is the first and indispensable step towards healing.

Should I consult a doctor for hair loss?

Hair falls out at all and always, this is normal. Normally, every person loses several dozen hairs per day (100 is the norm), and problems begin when this number increases significantly.

Causes of baldness

Many factors affect the state of the hair. Anatomically, these are appendages of the skin. The visible part of the hair consists of hardened dead cells, which are produced by hair follicles located in the skin. If they do not get enough nutrition, they can “fall asleep” or die off. And then new hair does not grow, and old ones fall out over time, as they have a certain (genetically incorporated) lifespan.

To provoke alopecia can external and internal causes, the division into which is rather arbitrary.

The human body is a complex balanced system and any negative external influences immediately cause a corresponding internal reaction. Therefore, only a comprehensive approach works in the diagnosis and treatment of baldness.

External factors

Usually external factors that can provoke focal or total alopecia are obvious and quite easily removable. And yet, many people, especially women, do not pay attention to them and continue to spoil the hair and scalp.

The most common among them are:

High and low temperatures. The capillaries in the scalp are located close to its surface. Under the influence of cold (especially in conditions of high humidity), they sharply narrow, depriving the hair follicles of good nutrition. In the heat, sweat and sebaceous glands are forced to work hard. The skin pores become clogged, the bulbs lack oxygen, the hair is quickly salted and begins to actively fall out.
Poor shampoos. Containing sulfates, parabens and chemical dyes. They irritate the scalp, provoke allergic reactions and dandruff. Rather expensive shampoos that contain silicone can also be harmful if used regularly. It smoothes hair well, but at the same time it clogs the pores strongly and leaves skin with a thin film on it, which disrupts normal cellular respiration.
Wrong drying. Hair dryer should be dried at medium temperatures and from a distance of at least 15-20 cm from the hair. But which of us always observes this rule? We are always late and want to "dry" quickly. We turn on the temperature maximum, and even nervously pull on the hair with our hands. As a result, we overdry the scalp, loosen the hair follicles and provoke baldness ourselves.
Coloring and perm. These aggressive procedures spoil not only the structure of the hair shaft, making it loose, dry and brittle. Getting on the scalp, chemical reagents strongly irritate her. And the compositions can be on it from 15 to 40-50 minutes! If after such procedures you don’t make nourishing and regenerating masks, the hair can be significantly thinned.
Mechanical damage. Tight braids and tails also loosen the hair follicles and disrupt their normal metabolism. Even more dangerous are any deep injuries to the scalp: cuts, burns, etc. When the wounds heal, keloid tissue is formed, which has no hair follicles. Naturally, in this place the hair will never grow back.

If you have eliminated all possible external factors that can provoke alopecia, but the hair continues to actively fall out, and every day 100 or more hairs remain on the comb, you will have to look for internal causes.

Internal factors

Often only specialists can detect the internal causes of alopecia. They will tell you when the hair falls, what tests to pass, and what measures to take, based on the results.

The main internal causes are:

Circulatory disorders. Occurs with blood diseases or malfunction of the cardiovascular system.
Vitamin and mineral imbalance. Its root cause is malnutrition. But there are diseases in which there is a violation of metabolic processes, and some substances are not absorbed by the body.
Reception of medicines. Alopecia is provoked by medications for the treatment of cancer, improperly chosen contraceptives and most hormonal drugs.
Violation of hormonal levels. Hormones produce endocrine glands: the thyroid, pancreas, etc. With any endocrine problems the condition of the skin and hair worsens.
Infectious and autoimmune diseases. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks its own cells.With infectious (especially chronic), our protection is weakened, and harmful microorganisms destroy the body, causing alopecia.

Special cases

There are several special cases when hair loss is a temporary phenomenon. It does not need to be thoroughly diagnosed, since its causes are obvious:

Seasonal. It usually begins around the beginning of March and passes as soon as fresh greens, fruits and berries appear on the table. It takes place without treatment, and with preventive measures, loss can be minimized.
Teenage. It is associated with deep hormonal changes in the body and is expressed in increased oily skin, the appearance of teenage acne, severe sweating, and possible active hair loss. It takes place after the end of puberty.
Age. The lifespan of the hair follicles is limited. In adulthood, they gradually begin to die off, as the processes of regeneration slow down greatly. The hair is thinning, men appear bald after 35, women - when menopause begins. Stop the process is unrealistic, but you can postpone it.
Pregnancy and lactation. In pregnant and lactating women, hair falls out for two reasons: strong changes in hormonal levels and unhealthy diet (lack of vitamins and trace elements). There is nothing you can do about hormones, but the diet should be made up so that it has enough zinc, calcium, selenium, vitamins A, E, C and group B.

Survey

It is better to start a survey with a consultation and a trichologist. This is a specialist who with the help of computer equipment will examine the scalp and determine the condition of the hair follicles. The study is called a trichogram, and it will help you understand how to stop baldness.

When most of the bulbs are active, alopecia is caused by profound pathological changes in the body and serious treatment is needed.

“Sleeping” follicles can be awakened by hardware procedures and medicines. If more than 50% of the follicles are already dead, then it will not be possible to restore the hair even after eliminating all the negative factors. Only hair transplant will help here.

Here is a sample list of required tests:

General analysis of urine and blood to ensure that there are no serious chronic diseases.
Ultrasound of the internal organs, which will show their possible pathology.
A blood test for the level of T- and B-lymphocytes - shows the state of the immune system.
Examination of the thyroid gland: ultrasound and tests for the hormones it produces.
Blood tests for hair loss on toxins will help to detect the presence in the body of harmful chemical compounds: salts of lead, mercury, etc.
Examination of the skin for fungi, parasites and skin infections.
Special blood tests. Be sure to check for AIDS, syphilis and hepatitis.

Then it is worth visiting an endocrinologist. He will tell you the tests for the content of what hormones to pass with hair loss. Most often this is a study on the level of testosterone, ferritin, thyroxine.

If you are taking oral contraceptives, do not forget to tell the doctor about it - they also change the hormones.

When it comes to analyzes for hair loss in women, the list will be incomplete without a gynecological examination: tests for pregnancy, the absence of inflammation of the ovaries and sexually transmitted infections. And only after such a comprehensive survey can we draw final conclusions about the internal causes of alopecia.

What to do

With the test results in the first place you need to go to the specialist who appointed them. Based on them, he will write out a course of treatment and say what are the chances of completely stopping hair loss.

In some cases, you may need to consult another doctor. This is usually necessary if you suspect cancer, systemic infections, or skin diseases. Then you have to go to an oncologist, a dermatologist or a venereologist.

The course of treatment must be completed completely and then it is advisable to take repeated tests to make sure that there are no internal pathologies. If they are not eliminated, any masks, vitamin therapy and other external measures will not save the hair.

A return visit to the trichologist is useful, which will see how the treatment affected the condition of the hair follicles. Most likely, he will appoint hardware procedures for their activation and recommend therapeutic shampoos and masks.

Causes of Alopecia

Baldness occurs for a variety of reasons. Loss can occur due to external stimuli, when a person uses poor-quality hair dye, makeup, or be a signal of internal imbalance.

Causes of hair loss and thinning:

Infectious, including fungal, diseases. This applies not only to skin lesions, but also to lesions of the internal organs that affect the immune system and lead to changes in the body.
Violations of the hormonal background. If there is not enough female hormone in the body, estrogen, or a surplus of male, androgen, hair follicles experience hunger. They lose their power, “burn out”. Hormonal disorders occur as a result of diseases of the thyroid gland, ovaries or adrenal glands, frequent stress, prolonged medication, pregnancy.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies. To supply follicles, a set of micro and macro elements is needed. When they are absent in the diet, problems begin. Among the important minerals for hair growth are zinc, iron, selenium. No less necessary protein food.

Analyzes of hair loss in women are needed not only to cope with the problem, but also to detect or eliminate the presence of pathological processes in the body.

All tests for hair loss for women and men: the level of hormones is important

What needs to be tested for hair loss in the first place:

General blood analysis. Shows the presence of inflammatory processes in the body. Determines the level of hemoglobin: anemia, when hemoglobin in the blood is not enough, can lead to hair loss.
Blood test for infections. Needed to eliminate serious pathological problems in the body.
Biochemical analysis. Will show if insufficient minerals are found in the blood. According to the results of the analysis, it is possible to determine the functions of which organs are impaired, what is missing in the diet.
A blood test for thyroid hormone levels (T4 and TSH). An overabundance and lack of hormones in the blood can equally affect hair growth, nutrition of follicles.
Analysis of iron content. Doctors determine the level of ferritin, transferrin, serum iron in the blood.

Additional research

Additionally, doctors prescribe tests to check the level of sex hormones: testosterone, progesterone, prolactin, T3, and so on.

If hormonal problems are suspected, the trichologist may refer to an endocrinologist, who, in turn, assigns an ultrasound scan to the thyroid gland: blood tests do not always show the presence of pathologies, and ultrasound complements the picture.

Tell the doctor about all the problems in order to properly establish the picture of the disease

Causes of severe hair loss

A simple patient survey, which should answer the following questions to the doctor, is not excluded:

how much the patient is resting
how much time will be given to sleep
which way of life, moving or sedentary, leads,
do relatives have hair problems
What is the diet, what foods consumes,
What means does hair care use?
under what conditions does it work
whether a person uses medications, the time of admission

If women lose their hair strongly, this is an alarming symptom, but not a sentence. The newest methods of treatment can restore the remaining hair to health, stop the balding process and return the weakened follicles energy for further growth.

The procedure for determining the cause of baldness or what to pass tests for hair loss

HomeDiseases Hair lossA procedure for determining the cause of baldness or which tests to take in case of hair loss

The causes of enhanced hair loss or alopecia are varied.

This may be due to endocrine disorders, immune diseases, diseases of the nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract, effects of radioactive radiation and chemicals.

To identify the cause of baldness, you must consult a doctor or dermatologist. He will examine the condition of the scalp and prescribe the necessary tests, the results of which will determine the true source of the problem. About what tests you need to pass with hair loss, we'll talk in this article.

Diagnosis of alopecia includes the following research methods:

examination of the scalp,
Trichogram - microscopic examination of removed hair,
histological examination of the scalp,
general blood analysis,
serological reactions for lupus erythematosus or syphilis,
blood chemistry,
a blood test for thyroid hormones.
microscopic analysis of pathogenic fungi.

Of considerable diagnostic importance is a survey of a woman with the problem of baldness..

Answers should be received to such questions as the duration of the problem, the presence or absence of unpleasant sensations on the scalp (itching, burning), possible stresses and severe shocks in the last six months.

Factors such as hormonal contraceptive use or abortion may also affect hair loss..

According to statistics, sudden hair loss in women in 95% of cases is temporary and occurs due to psycho-vegetative disorders - this is a strong emotional turmoil and stress. And only 5% are diagnosed with irreversible alopecia - focal or androgenetic.

What tests does trichologist prescribe for hair loss? This will be discussed in the next paragraph of our article.

Blood (total)

General clinical blood test conducted to determine the level of hemoglobin in the blood and exclude iron deficiency anemia - one of the causes of alopecia.

Normally, the level of hemoglobin in the blood of a woman is determined in the ranges of 115 - 145 g / l.

If the hemoglobin concentration in the blood is below 100 g / l, then iron deficiency anemia can be considered the cause of hair loss..

Serological reactions

Serological blood tests are performed to detect specific antibodies of the infectious disease pathogen.. In the case of baldness, diagnostics is performed to identify or eliminate syphilis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Normal antibodies of infectious agents in the blood are not detected.

In the biochemical analysis of blood draw attention to the following components (normal values are shown in parentheses):

ALT (7-40 IU / L),
AST (10 - 30 IU / l),
total protein (65 - 85 g / l),
bilirubin (less than 3.4–17.1 μmol / l),
cholesterol (3.11 - 5.44 mmol / l),
sugar (3.9 - 6.4 mmol / l),
alkaline phosphatase (39 - 92 IU / l).

Exceeding the established limits indicates violations of the liver, pancreas. This study allows you to establish or eliminate the toxic form of alopecia, triggered by the influence of chemicals and radiation.

Increased hair loss may be a symptom of hypothyroidism, a disease of the thyroid gland caused by thyroid hormone deficiency. (For other hormonal disorders and their impact on hair loss, read here.)

To diagnose the disease prescribe a blood test to determine the concentration of TSH and T4.

Normally, TSH is determined in the range from 0.24 to 4.0 mMe / L, and T4 - from 65 to 160 nmol / l.

If the hormone TSH is above 4.0 mMe / L and T4 is reduced, then the diagnosis of hypothyroidism is beyond doubt.

There may be situations when TSH is determined within the normal range, and T4 is lowered - in this case, it is a question of initial or latent hypothyroidism.

Analysis of the content of sex hormones in the blood allows you to set (exclude) androgenetic alopecia.

Important: The level of hormones in a woman’s blood varies throughout the entire menstrual cycle. It is recommended to take an analysis from 1 to 7 days from the start of menstruation..

Normal values in the follicular phase of the cycle:

LH (1 - 20 U / l).
FSH (4 - 10 U / l).
Estradiol (5 - 53 pg / ml).
Progesterone (0.3 - 0.7 µg / l).
Testosterone (0.1 - 1.1 µg / l).
SSG (18.6 - 117 nmol / l).

Results are evaluated in the complex. With increased testosterone and reduced CVD, androgenetic alopecia is confirmed.

On pathogenic mushrooms

Baldness of the front of the head can be the result of a fungus injury.

The most frequent fungal diseases of the scalp - trichophytosis or microsporia, popularly known as ringworm.

The hair breaks off, or falls out together with the bulb in certain parts of the head, forming bald spots.

Under laboratory conditions, the fungus is examined for scraping the scalp and hair.

Normally, pathogenic fungi are not detected..

Trichogram

Microscopic examination of remote hair, along with examination of the scalp is the main diagnostic method in trichology. By the nature of baldness, you can determine the form of alopecia, whether this phenomenon is temporary or irreversible.

50 hairs are removed from the head with tweezers and their bulbs are examined under a microscope to determine their life cycle.. Normally, up to 90% of all hairs are in the active anagen phase. If more than 15% of the hairs removed are in the telogen stage, then it can be assumed that there is androgenetic or telogen alopecia. They can be differentiated through research on sex hormones.
If there are pockets of baldness on the head, under the microscope, examine the hairs around the focus and the condition of the skin in this area.. It is important to distinguish focal from cicatricial alopecia. In the first case, the disease has an autoimmune nature, in the second it is a consequence of fungal, infectious diseases or head injuries. In focal baldness, the hairs on the edges of the bald spots are broken off and thickened at the tip.

Sudden hair loss in only 5% of cases is irreversible, mostly - this is a temporary phenomenon. Laboratory diagnostics with high accuracy allows you to determine the cause of baldness. If all tests are normal, but the woman complains of hair loss, then the reason is most likely lurking in her emotional state.

Hair loss which tests to pass

Experts divide the factors that affect baldness into several groups: various diseases, endocrine system malfunction, head injuries, neurological disorders, treatment with certain drugs.

After the emergency period has passed, the normal functioning of the body's protective cover will be restored.

Inflammatory processes.
Dysbacteriosis.
Insufficient activity of the immune system.
Hormonal abnormalities.
Infectious diseases of a fungal or bacterial nature.
Deviations in the work of the thyroid gland.
Medication for pressure, neurological disorders, arthritis, rheumatism.
Chemotherapy, radiation exposure.
Contraceptive drugs.
Surgical intervention in the body.
Stress, depression.
Damage to the epidermis in the head.
Aging.
Heredity.
Improper nutrition.
Hard hairstyles.
Chemical effects on the hair (frequent visits to the hairdresser).

You should be alerted by chronic hair loss, excessive thinness of hair, sharp thinning of curls, dermatitis in the head, itching, rash, redness, skin sensitivity, brittleness, hair nipping.

Analysis of sex hormones

Hematological analysis will reveal the level of hemoglobin in the blood. It is the hemoglobin level that is the main criterion when making a diagnosis. If the rate is elevated, then anemia may be a likely disease. The physiological characteristics of women make them an easy victim to this pathology.

At the same time, the balance of minerals and electrolytes, water-salt balance, and urea indices are determined. Analyzes will show everything that is needed to determine how effective the kidneys and liver are, and also to reveal the presence of an inflammatory process.

Hair loss may require testing for sex hormones. Additional indications for suspicion that sex hormones take part in the process are menstruation delay, infertility, hirsutism, acne.

To identify the causes of alopecia, it is necessary to pass tests.

So, what tests you need to pass with hair loss? To determine the causes of baldness prescribe:

General blood analysis. It helps to find out whether there is inflammation in the body and to find out the level of hemoglobin, the lack of which often leads to the development of alopecia.
Blood test for infection. This study will help identify or eliminate the pathological processes in the body.
Biochemical analysis. He is able to detect the lack of minerals in the patient's body.
Blood test for thyroid hormones (T4 and TSH). Baldness can develop amid an overabundance or lack of hormones.
Mineralogram. Spectral analysis is a necessary measure for the study of hair on the ratio of microelements in them. For its holding take a strand of hair 5 cm in length. Alopecia can often develop with a deficiency of such nutrients.

Basic tests to check the causes of hair loss

The disease in which hair falls heavily is called alopecia. It is considered a new disease characteristic of people of the XX-XXI centuries. And the problem is that most patients go to the trichologist in the late stages, because they do not associate hair loss with the possibility of hormonal disruptions and internal ailments of the body. But alopecia can be a symptom of all this.

Signs of hair loss

People lose 50 to 100 hairs daily, and this no reason for panic. The life of the hair - 3-7 years, then it falls. For each person, 90% of the hair is in the growth stage, and the remaining 10% is in the sleep stage.

This is the body's natural balance. But when it is broken, the hair in the growth stage becomes smaller, the reserve “empties”.

Determine that the rate of loss is violated, You can use the following signs:

After brushing, whole bunches remain on the brush, although normally there should be no more than a few hairs.
After washing the head in the drain hole of the bath, noticeable scraps of hair are found, after drying, they can be seen on the floor.
When waking up in the morning, there are tufts of hair on the pillow, when there should be very little of them.

For men the signs are somewhat different because they prefer short haircuts, and falling out is harder to see:

hairline shifts towards the back of the head,
the hair thins first at the temples, and then at the crown,
with full baldness, the hair will disappear all over the head.

In addition, the very structure of the hair changes. It becomes thinner, tarnishes, becomes brittle, the tip splits.

Basic tests for checking hair loss

To stop hair loss and restore hair, you need to undergo treatment, and to prescribe it, the doctor will need to determine the exact cause of the loss. Alopecia can be due to:

hormonal imbalance,
rejection by the body of a number of drugs,
chronic infection of the bacterial, viral or fungal type,
chemotherapy and radiation exposure,
a long stay in a stressful situation
endocrine system diseases
mechanical or chemical damage to hair,
malnutrition,
heredity
reduce immunity.

For each case required individual treatment.

However, before the tests are prescribed, the doctor will conduct a survey.

He will ask how long the hair has fallen out, and whether the patient’s relatives didn’t have it, take an interest in the regimen, diet, working conditions and general health.

The patient will undergo a visual inspection of the head, then a trichogram will be made. May send for consultation to the endocrinologist, neurologist and gastroenterologist.

And after that, the doctor will prescribe the following tests:

complete blood count and an infection test,
biochemical analysis of blood and serum iron levels,
on thyroid hormone levels and hormonal status,
spectral analysis of hair,
biopsy of the scalp.

What tests should be taken with strong hair loss in women?

What needs to be tested for hair loss in women? Severe baldness is a traumatic factor for any woman’s psyche. It signals a serious malfunction in the body.

Why do girls start balding?

Hair loss is a natural process. Hair falls out constantly, and new ones grow in their place. Each hair lives from 3 to 7 years, passing through several stages of the life cycle.

At first it grows quickly, then its growth slows down and stops at the end of the cycle. After that it falls out. Every day a healthy person drops about 100 hairs.

This hair loss does not affect the density of hair.

In some conditions, excessive hair loss may occur. For example, after childbirth. During childbirth, the natural process of hair loss is suspended due to the effects of pregnancy hormones.

During this period, the curls of pregnant become noticeably thicker. But after giving birth, the body gets rid of excess hair. The hairs which did not fall out in time together sypyatsya from the head, frightening the young mother.

This phenomenon disappears in 2-3 months; no treatment is required here.

But there are cases when the hair falls out for no apparent reason. The reasons for baldness can be many. Hair loss is most often an external manifestation of internal disorders of the body. The hairstyle displays the health of a person like a mirror.

The most common causes are hormonal disruptions, inflammatory processes, exhaustion, unbalanced nutrition, disruption of the bacterial balance in the intestines, or weakening of the body's defenses. This may be an allergic reaction to the irritant.

To find out why hair loss occurs, you need to be examined by a trichologist. Trichologists treat diseases of the scalp and hair.

Examination by trichologist

The trichologist will question the woman about the duration and intensity of hair loss. Finds out whether the close blood relatives of the patient have encountered similar problems. Perhaps the disease is due to hereditary factors. The doctor will analyze the lifestyle of a woman.

Find out how balanced her diet is, whether her sleep and wakefulness is observed, whether her activity is related to chronic stress and how much she is moving. The trichologist will also ask about hair care methods.

Based on the analysis of this information, the doctor can make a preliminary assumption about the causes of baldness.

After the survey, the trichologist will examine the scalp to assess its condition. A visual study would suggest or rule out the presence of a fungal infection or a dermatological disease.

After examination, the doctor will conduct a trichological study: make a trichogram and photo trichogram.

Trichogram is a diagnostic study of the condition of the hair, its roots and scalp. It is carried out using a conventional microscope.

For the study, 60-80 hairs are depilated from the balding area (with focal alopecia). In diffuse alopecia (hair loss over the entire surface of the head), hair is collected from two standard zones.

The hairs are fixed on a slide and examined under a microscope.

The phototrichogram method is considered more informative. This diagnostic procedure is carried out with the help of special equipment - a trichoscope. For this study, the removal of curls is not performed.

In the study area (1-1.5 cm2), the hair cover is pre-shaved. In diffuse alopecia, two areas are shaved off. The procedure is carried out after 2-3 days, when the hairs grow back a little. The trichoscope allows you to inspect the grown hairs and record the resulting image.

Trichologist analyzes the recorded data using a multiple increase. He also uses special software, which allows determining the number of hairs per square centimeter by the image, the ratio of hairs at different stages of development, and the average growth rate of curls.

Before shooting with a trichoscope, the hairs tint slightly (contrasted) for a more thorough diagnosis.

After the study, the trichologist will tell you which tests to take for hair loss.

What laboratory tests will trichologist appoint

To study the health of the patient, the doctor prescribes a hematological, or complete, blood test. It allows you to determine the level of hemoglobin, the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, leukocyte formula and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the blood.

These blood parameters in a healthy person should be in the normal range. Any deviation of one or a group of indicators from the norm may indicate the presence of pathology.

An obvious warning sign is a significant deviation of the group of indicators of blood test results.

Reduced hemoglobin, red blood cells and hematocrit indicates a woman with iron deficiency anemia. In this state, the body experiences oxygen starvation.

Biochemical analysis of blood "will tell" about the state of individual organs and systems. High blood glucose levels can be a sign of developing diabetes.

Exceeding the norm of total protein often indicates the presence of a pathology: an infectious disease, diseases of the joints (arthritis) or connective tissue (rheumatism). This result also happens with cancer.

An analysis of biochemistry will reveal inflammatory or degenerative processes in the kidneys and in the liver. In addition, it will help detect violations of water-salt metabolism.

To study the patient's immune system, the doctor will prescribe an immunogram. Immunogram is a comprehensive analysis that allows you to determine the general state of human immunity.

In addition, an allergy test can be prescribed. Some forms of allergic reactions are accompanied by itching and intense hair loss.

The trichologist will refer the patient to an endocrinologist to study the work of the glands.

What research carries endocrinologist

The endocrinologist will conduct a local examination of the thyroid gland with its palpation. Ultrasound examination of the organ will help to clarify the diagnosis.

An endocrinologist will prescribe tests for severe hair loss on hormone levels.The level of thyroid hormones is first investigated: thyrotropic, triiodothyronine, and tetraiodothyronine.

An important object of study is the level of sex hormones in women. Their imbalance can be caused by malfunction of the hypothalamus and pituitary (part of the human endocrine system). Disorders of the endocrine system cause menstrual disorders, infertility, anovulation (no ovarian release) and hirsutism.

Hirsutism refers to excessive hair growth in women for the male type - on the chin, on the upper lip, on the abdomen, back and chest. An additional sign of the disease is intense hair loss on the head.

Other studies

The gynecologist will examine the female genital organs, examine the work of her reproductive system, take smears from the vagina, cervical canal and urethra for examination. The cause of hair loss can be gynecological diseases.

The quality of the hairstyle is negatively affected by various disruptions in the human nervous system. Psychological problems and chronic stress can cause functional and organic damage to the nervous system. Neurological diseases will help detect and cure a neurologist.

A gastroenterologist examines the work of the gastrointestinal tract. Diseases such as gastritis, gastric ulcer, dysbiosis or irritable bowel syndrome, adversely affect the condition of human hair. The gastroenterologist will refer the patient for analysis to identify intestinal dysbiosis. It will help determine the presence of an imbalance of microflora.

What tests you need to pass to identify the cause of hair loss

Treatment of alopecia is aimed not only at restoring the hair, but also at eliminating the impact of the causative factor. To establish the latter, a set of diagnostic measures is assigned.

Analyzes for hair loss help to identify the causes and causes of the problem. The list of necessary analyzes is determined by the trichologist.

The doctor assesses the nature and speed of baldness, and also sends the patient for examination to other specialists - an endocrinologist, a psychiatrist, etc.

How to start a survey

For a start, it is important to understand whether it is worth talking about such a serious illness as alopecia, or you go too far and worry too much about two or three loose hairs. This will help a simple test: hold a small strand between the thumb and index finger and stretch from the roots to the tips.

How is the visit to the doctor?

An experienced specialist will certainly conduct a survey of the patient, ask clarifying questions about the nature and duration of hair loss, study the history based on the conversation. It is necessary to tell the thrologist about the nature of work and working conditions, to describe the ration, sleep patterns and habits as closely as possible.

Next trichologist should conduct an inspection of the head and visually assess the condition of the hair and skin. Today in all large clinics there is an opportunity to make a trichogram. To do this, use a special device that allows to evaluate the thickness of hair on 1 cm² of skin, the thickness of hairs in different areas and the level of activity of the sebaceous glands.

Based on the picture obtained, the doctor will prescribe tests to determine the cause of hair loss, the appointment may vary significantly for women and for men. Also, a specialist can refer you to a gynecologist, an endocrinologist, a neurologist or a gastroenterologist for consultation.

What tests you need to take with hair loss

Hair is an indicator of the health of the body, so one analysis is indispensable. It should be noted that there are a number of mandatory tests that provide general information about the state of health, as well as additional ones that characterize the work of individual systems.

general blood tests
blood biochemistry
detailed analysis for the presence of infections, including sexually transmitted infections,
the level of serum iron in the blood.

thyroid hormone levels
the level of sex hormones (for women depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle),
Spectral analysis of hair for the content of minerals in the body
scraping the scalp with microscopy to determine pathogenic microflora.

Why hair falls: what they say tests

Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common causes of hair loss. Complete blood count allows you to determine the level of hemoglobin in the blood, on the basis of which conclusions can be drawn about the presence of anemia.

A very important indicator is the level of leukocytes. Exceeding the upper limit of normal is a marker of the internal inflammatory process. So, the problem may concern the reproductive organs or the gastrointestinal tract.

Biochemical analysis can reveal abnormalities of the liver and kidneys, establish a lack of calcium, magnesium and iron, which can cause hair loss.

The results of the analysis for thyroid hormones are an extremely important indicator, because not only the condition of the hair and scalp, but also the health in general depends on their level. The main thyroid hormones are TSH (thyrotropic), T3 (triiodothyronine), T4 (thyroxin). A strong deviation from the norm in a big way causes a loss of curls throughout the head, and a decrease in thyroid function manifests itself in the form of dry skin and a section of the ends of the hair.

Also a very important indicator of women's health is the level of sex hormones. If prolactin is “naughty”, free testosterone, DHEA-S, progesterone will go off-scale - your hair will instantly react. When the ratio of sex hormones is disturbed, the appearance of acne, excessive body hair, PMS, an irregular cycle, etc. are also characteristic.

Methods for diagnosing baldness

Diagnosis of alopecia includes the following research methods:

examination of the scalp,
Trichogram - microscopic examination of removed hair,
histological examination of the scalp,
general blood analysis,
serological reactions for lupus erythematosus or syphilis,
blood chemistry,
a blood test for thyroid hormones.
microscopic analysis of pathogenic fungi.

Of considerable diagnostic importance is a survey of a woman with the problem of baldness.

Factors such as hormonal contraceptive use or abortion may also affect hair loss.

On our site you will learn about the science of trichology and find a large number of articles on hair loss:

is there a rate of hair loss per day and the influence of external factors. What is seasonal fallout?
What to do if the hair falls out with a bulb? Will they grow up again?
Why does hair fall out after shampooing? Is it dangerous?
Prevention or how to prevent hair loss at home?
if hair falls out in bunches: what to do to stop complete baldness?
causes of hair loss in adolescent girls and boys
an exemplary menu of proper nutrition for every day for hair from falling out,
reasons because of what hair fall out in girls,
if the scalp hurts and hair falls out: what tools and procedures will help?

What tests does trichologist prescribe for hair loss? This will be discussed in the next paragraph of our article.

Blood chemistry

In the biochemical analysis of blood draw attention to the following components (normal values are shown in parentheses):

ALT (7-40 IU / L),
AST (10 - 30 IU / l),
total protein (65 - 85 g / l),
bilirubin (less than 3.4–17.1 μmol / l),
cholesterol (3.11 - 5.44 mmol / l),
sugar (3.9 - 6.4 mmol / l),
alkaline phosphatase (39 - 92 IU / l).

Exceeding the established limits indicates violations of the liver, pancreas. This study allows you to establish or eliminate the toxic form of alopecia, triggered by the influence of chemicals and radiation.

Hormonal examination

Increased hair loss may be a symptom of hypothyroidism, a disease of the thyroid gland caused by thyroid hormone deficiency. (For other hormonal disorders and their impact on hair loss, read here.)

To diagnose the disease prescribe a blood test to determine the concentration of TSH and T4.

Normally, TSH is determined in the range from 0.24 to 4.0 mMe / L, and T4 - from 65 to 160 nmol / l.

If the hormone TSH is above 4.0 mMe / L and T4 is reduced, then the diagnosis of hypothyroidism is beyond doubt.

There may be situations when TSH is determined within the normal range, and T4 is lowered - in this case, it is a question of initial or latent hypothyroidism.

Analysis of the content of sex hormones in the blood allows us to establish (eliminate) androgenetic alopecia.

Important: the level of hormones in a woman’s blood varies throughout the entire menstrual cycle. It is recommended to take an analysis from 1 to 7 days from the onset of menstruation.

Normal values in the follicular phase of the cycle:

LH (1 - 20 U / l).
FSH (4 - 10 U / l).
Estradiol (5 - 53 pg / ml).
Progesterone (0.3 - 0.7 µg / l).
Testosterone (0.1 - 1.1 µg / l).
SSG (18.6 - 117 nmol / l).

Results are evaluated in the complex. With increased testosterone and reduced CVD, androgenetic alopecia is confirmed.

1 Who is prone to alopecia?

Baldness affects both sexes. Alopecia can develop in a child. Teenagers with instability of the hormonal background or incorrect formation of the scalp where the hairline grows are also subject to the problem.

In girls, alopecia occurs when there is a disturbance in the functioning of the endocrine organs, the uncontrolled use of diets for which the body is deficient in microelements, as well as frequent hair coloring.

A child’s baldness in the first year of life causes rickets. In children older than 3–4 years, pathology develops when the immune system fails. Schoolchildren experience hair loss with an increased load on the immune or nervous system.

More common pathological condition in adult women. The risk group includes patients after 45 years, but the problem of hair loss can appear at any age. The first sign of the disease trichologists consider hair loss for no apparent reason. Alopecia also disrupts the growth of new hair.

Recommended Focal Alopecia in Women: Causes and Treatment

2 Diagnosis of the disease

Treatment of the pathology must be started in time. The trichologist is a narrow specialist in the elimination of hair problems, but in the absence of such a doctor in a clinic, a dermatologist, endocrinologist or gastroenterologist will conduct an examination of the organism.

immune disorders
allergy signs
the presence of anemia.

Additionally, you need to investigate the level of sex hormones. Mandatory hardware diagnostics of the structure of the hair under a microscope, checking the tension of the hair and analysis of scraping from the affected area of the scalp to determine the infectious agent.

Computer hair research

The list of laboratory tests includes:

Clinical blood test. It establishes the presence of the inflammatory process and the level of hemoglobin.Anemia leads to baldness.
Biochemical analysis. Based on its results, it is possible to determine which organs have a dysfunction, which mineral substances and products are insufficiently consumed.
Analysis of the presence of infection in the body. Required to exclude serious pathologies.
Analysis of serum iron content.
Determining the level of endocrine thyroid hormones (T4 and TSH). Overabundance or lack of them in the blood equally affect the nutrition of follicles and hair growth.

Additionally, you can be assigned tests for hair loss to establish the level of sex hormones: testosterone, progesterone, prolactin, T3 and others. According to their results, experts determine whether the disease is temporary or irreversible.

Recommended Alopecia in Women: Causes, Symptoms and Home Treatment

4.1 Medicamentous

The doctor selects drugs depending on the cause of baldness. The following medications may be prescribed:

Novopassit, Relaxasan. Preparations of sedation.
Actovegin, Curantil. Improve the blood supply to the tissues.
Dexamethasone, Fluocinalon. Normalize hormones.
Sibazon, Azafen. Nootropic drugs.

The trichologist may prescribe the use of medical shampoos, and in case of hormonal failure, refer the patient to an endocrinologist for a consultation.

4.2 Surgical

Surgical intervention is represented by several types:

Hair transplantation to the alopecia zone from the donor part.
Expander plastic. Stretching the skin with hair to reduce baldness using a latex spray.
Scalp reduction. Elimination of a small area of baldness by removing it and correcting the suture.

Resorted to such treatment only in extreme cases.

Alopecia in women: what tests for hair loss and baldness need to pass

Hair loss treatment

Excessive hair loss (alopecia) in women is a serious symptom indicating the presence of a pathological process in the body. There are many reasons for this.

With their exact establishment and well-chosen treatment, pathology can be partially or completely eliminated.

To determine the cause of baldness, it is necessary to pass a series of clinical tests prescribed by a trichologist or a dermatologist.

A child’s baldness in the first year of life causes rickets. In children older than 3–4 years, pathology develops when the immune system fails. Schoolchildren experience hair loss with an increased load on the immune or nervous system.

Most common pathological condition in adultsof women. The risk group includes patients after 45 years, but the problem of hair loss can appear at any age. The first sign of the disease trichologists consider hair loss for no apparent reason. Alopecia also disrupts the growth of new hair.

It is necessary to check:

immune disorders
allergy signs
the presence of anemia.

Computer hair research

The list of laboratory tests includes:

Clinical blood test.It establishes the presence of the inflammatory process and the level of hemoglobin. Anemia leads to baldness.
Biochemical analysis. Based on its results, it is possible to determine which organs have a dysfunction, which mineral substances and products are insufficiently consumed.
Analysis of the presence of infection in the body. Required to exclude serious pathologies.
Analysis of serum iron content.
Determining the level of endocrine thyroid hormones (T4 and TSH). Overabundance or lack of them in the blood equally affect the nutrition of follicles and hair growth.

Launches the mechanism of alopecia poor-quality nutrition of hair follicles. Capillary spasm does not allow to deliver the required amount of nutrients. In the bloodstream, reduced oxygen concentration and trace element content. Alopecia is often observed in women in early pregnancy and after childbirth. This is due to physiological changes in the body.

Alopecia in women is often caused by:

atrophic processes in the bulbs due to fungal pathologies,
a number of diseases of the central nervous system,
prolonged stress
cystic transformation of the ovaries,
taking certain groups of drugs
congenital anomalies of development,
chronic pathologies of internal organs,
thyroid diseases,
irrational diet
smoking.

Hormonal changes provoke an increase in the hormone testosterone in the blood, which inhibits the follicles of the hair follicles. Hair starts to fall out massively.

Treatment of baldness is a long process. Sometimes it takes several years to recover.

It is necessary to take measures when the first symptoms appear, then the result can be obtained quickly. Experts have highly effective methods of treatment.

The doctor selects drugs depending on the cause of baldness. The following medications may be prescribed:

Novopassit, Relaxasan. Preparations of sedation.
Actovegin, Curantil. Improve the blood supply to the tissues.
Dexamethasone, Fluocinalon. Normalize hormones.
Sibazon, Azafen. Nootropic drugs.

Surgical intervention presentedseveral types:

Hair transplantation to the alopecia zone from the donor part.
Expander plastic. Stretching the skin with hair to reduce baldness using a latex spray.
Scalp reduction. Elimination of a small area of baldness by removing it and correcting the suture.

Resorted to such treatment only in extreme cases.

Such treatment is safe and effective at an early stage of the disease. Medicines are not used. Types of physiotherapy:

Electrophoresis.
Darsonvalization.
Laser therapy.
Cryotherapy.
Massage.
Mesotherapy.
Cryostimulation.

Alopecia Treatment

The treatment takes place in three directions.

Drug therapy.
Laser therapy.
Hair transplantation.

Drugs can slow down the balding process somewhat. But their effectiveness was revealed only at the beginning of the alopecia process.

Minoxidil or preparations with its content as an active substance are used for the growth of strands.
Finasteride (used to treat only male alopecia), is a blocker of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase.

The drugs are effective during the period of administration, the effect may last for several months after treatment, then the hair loss resumes.

Treatment with laser therapy reduces baldness and stimulates the growth of strands. The action is short.

Treatment of androgenic alopecia is problematic, and in the later stages is impossible.

When choosing therapy, it is necessary to evaluate the benefits that the patient can derive from the treatment, perhaps the most effective method for androgenetic hairfall will be a surgical transplant, when follicles are taken from the donor area and transplanted to the balding area.

For its implementation requires a good survival of the bulbs. Additional therapy is carried out with the use of hair care products.

According to the results of the full range of tests performed, the doctor will be able to understand the cause of hair loss and make sure that the process that has begun does not lead to a more severe form of this phenomenon.

His doctors call "alopecia." This is a strong and rapid baldness.

It can be observed in certain parts of the head or deprives a person of his hair forever.

Hormonal and hereditary alopecia

Thanks to hormones in the body, not only cell growth and division occurs, but also the development of hair follicles. Excess male sex hormones in women is one of the causes of hair loss. Only an experienced specialist will be able to prescribe the right drugs, in most cases, self-treatment ends with the deterioration of the human condition and irreversible consequences. To help in such a case will be able to endocrinologist, who will identify the cause and cure a person from baldness.

Hereditary factor also plays a significant role in the detection of alopecia. More than 90% of people who have alopecia have a congenital disease that causes profuse hair loss, and the patient’s close relatives also had it. When making such a diagnosis, a person is prescribed a specialized treatment that helps in a particular situation.

Focal hair loss

A very rare disease that can occur suddenly and end abruptly as well, is caused by a malfunction of certain organs. With partial alopecia, a certain baldness of some areas of the head occurs, or if you ignore the help of a specialist, this will lead to complete hair loss. In rare cases, a person who has suffered from this disease and has remained completely bald can observe a sharp growth of hair and, over a period of time, the loss of the latter again.

Today, focal baldness is not fully investigated, therefore, in order to avoid health problems and complexes in appearance, it is necessary at the initial stage of the disease to seek help from experienced doctors. There are several versions explaining the causes of partial baldness:

genetic indicator - a related predisposition to some diseases, is one of the most common factors,
injury - a blow or a fall can serve as an impetus for the development of baldness,
depression or stress
skin infection affects the hair and contributes to the development of diseases, because the protective level of the body decreases.

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Herbal medicine for baldness

The healing properties of many plants have been used by people for a long time; at present, herbs are turned to herbs for help when they have become disillusioned with drugs. The most effective are:

rind and seeds of grapes, hop fruit, grass of Hypericum,
wild yam extract, red clover squeeze, damiana leaves,
alfalfa, soy, sage.

Sesame, palm and olive oil has a strong estrogenic activity, so these oils complement the main treatment.

The beneficial substances present in these plants and fruits have a beneficial effect on both the internal organs and the appearance of the hair. Experts advise not only to rinse the head with herbs, but also to take them inside as infusions, it is necessary to supplement such treatment with the use of medications, then the most effective effect will be achieved.

Required

General blood analysis- The general level of hemoglobin and the definition of latent forms of anemia. General analysis determines the level of leukocytes, since a high level of leukocytes indicates the presence of inflammatory processes.
Blood test for infectious diseases (syphilis, helminths of different types),
Blood biochemistry- liver kidney function (trace element content: chromium copper zinc iron),
Serum analysis for iron contentThis type of diagnosis shows the level of tranferin and ferritin.

Thyroid hormone test- hyper or hypofunction of thyroid hormones TSH (thyrotropic), T4 (thyroxin) (triiodothyronine) causes alopecia. For a more detailed examination of the thyroid gland can be sent to ultrasound of the gland. With hypo or hyperfunction of iodine containing hormones, dry scalp and tips can also be observed,
Analysis of hormonal, test for sex hormones- the level of testosterone, estrogen, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, Latinizing hormone (LH), DHEA-S (at the beginning of the cycle about 3 - 5 days) and progesterone in the middle of the cycle (about 14-16 days).,
Hair analysis for trace elements (the level of minerals in the body) a lack of calcium and magnesium can cause alopecia, as these minerals are involved in the formation of the hair follicles and the hair itself,
Skin biopsy of the head to determine fungal diseases- fungal diseases, also violate the ability to reproduce new hair follicles, and accordingly in the case of this violation may occur loss of hair in considerable quantities.

Based on the results obtained during the delivery of certain analyzed studies and conclusions from the dermatologist, the trichologist determines the cause of hair loss and paints a further course of treatment, detailed recommendations. If necessary, refer to a doctor who deals with a particular disease (if any).

Findings:timely analysis and visits to the trichologist, or a dermatologist helps to identify diseases that contributed to the loss of hair.

Reception specialist trichologist

Since the price of a full clinical examination is quite high, it is advisable to visit an experienced specialist before him, who, after examination and interview, will appoint only the most necessary studies, excluding uninformative in your case.

At the primary reception, the trichologist must interview the patient, ascertaining the following data:

the nature and duration of hair loss,
having blood relatives with similar problems
presence of diseases known to the patient,
sleep and rest
food habits,
working conditions,
hair care methods.

On the basis of such a survey, it is already possible to exclude or, on the contrary, find the cause of the problem.

After that, the doctor examines the patient's head first visually to assess the quality and intensity of hair loss and eliminate the presence of hair fungus or dermatological diseases. Then he makes a trichogram with the help of a special video camera, which allows to determine the density of hair.

The list of tests for hair loss

Among the studies assigned in such cases, there are mandatory and additional. The first are appointed to exclude serious violations in the body, the second - if you need to confirm the doctor's suspicions about the presence of specific diseases.

Mandatory analyzes include:

Complete blood count for hair loss, which allows to determine the level of hemoglobin. Women, due to their physiological characteristics, are prone to anemia (lowering the level of hemoglobin in the blood), which may be the main cause of the problem. And the increase in the number of leukocytes indicates the presence of an internal inflammatory process.
Blood test for infections.Hair can fall out against the background of parasites developing in the body, emitting harmful waste products.

The composition and quality of blood give the most complete information about the state of the body.

Biochemical analysis of blood is assigned to assess the level of iron, magnesium, calcium and other important trace elements necessary for the normal formation and growth of hair. It allows you to find out how the liver and kidneys work, whether they are affected by degenerative or inflammatory processes.

These studies are appointed by the trichologist in any case. If they are normal, he will refer you to other specialists, who can also advise on what tests to take - if the hair falls out.

For example, depending on the results of the preliminary examination, the endocrinologist will direct to:

Analysis of the level of thyroid hormones - T4 (thyroxin), TSH (thyrotropic), T3 (triiodothyronine). Their excess leads to hair loss, and the lack of - to the weakening and disruption of the structure.

Thyroid ultrasound for hair loss

Poor results - a reason to do other tests.

Since there is hormonal hair loss, it is necessary to pass the analysis for hormones - prolactin, testosterone, progesterone, FSH and others. When their normal levels or ratios are disturbed, in addition to hair loss, problems such as excessive hair growth, acne, menstrual disorders and even sterility occur.

You may also need a spectral analysis of the structure of the hair to determine the content of various trace elements in them, a biopsy of the scalp, revealing fungal infections and other laboratory tests.

It is up to the doctor to decide which tests to take for hair loss. Only he can develop a treatment plan based on the findings that indicate the cause of alopecia. If it is not associated with a serious illness, standard therapeutic procedures will help return the beautiful curls.

Remember that timed analyzes are a chance to detect a disease at an early stage, when it is easier and faster to cure.