Description
Alopecia areata (Alopecia) is an autoimmune condition in which your hair falls out in clumps the size and shape of a quarter. The degree of hair loss varies from person to person. Some individuals lose it in a few places, while others suffer a significant loss. For some, hair grows back but then falls out again. In others, the hair grows back for good.
The disorder develops when white blood cells attack the cells in hair follicles, causing them to shrink and hair development to drop substantially. It's unclear what triggers the immune system to attack hair follicles in this manner.
Hair loss can be sudden, occurring in a matter of days or over a period of weeks. Before hair loss, there may be itching or burning in the area. Because the hair follicles are not destroyed, hair can regrow if the follicle inflammation calms. People who only have a few patches of hair loss often recover entirely on their own without any therapy. Lab testing can help evaluate for other reasons for hair loss.
This hair loss (alopecia) panel includes:
ANA Screen, IFA, with Reflex to Titer and Pattern Blood Test
Complete Blood Count (CBC) With Differential and Platelets
Ferritin Blood Test
Sedimentation Rate Blood Test
Testosterone, Total
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Fasting not required.
Additional information about each test is listed below:
ANA Screen, IFA, with Reflex to Titer and Pattern Blood Test
An ANA screen, IFA, with reflex to titer and pattern blood test is a blood test that screens for autoimmune disorders, including those that may cause hair loss. The test measures antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) in the blood, and can help determine if there is an underlying disease that is causing hair loss.
Complete Blood Count (CBC) With Differential and Platelets
A complete blood count (CBC) test can help diagnose hair loss by identifying conditions that affect blood components. For example, a CBC can help identify anemia, which can lead to hair loss if it's caused by iron deficiency.
Ferritin Blood Test
Ferritin levels can be a useful indicator of iron deficiency and its role in hair loss. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body, and low levels can indicate iron deficiency anemia.
Sedimentation Rate Blood Test
A high "sed rate" (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) can be associated with hair loss because it indicates systemic inflammation in the body, which can sometimes contribute to conditions like alopecia areata, a type of hair loss caused by an inflammatory process; however, a high sed rate alone does not directly cause hair loss, and further investigation is needed to determine the underlying cause of both the elevated sed rate and hair loss.
Testosterone, Total
Testosterone can contribute to hair loss through its byproduct, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT can overstimulate hair follicles, causing them to shrink and produce finer hair. This can lead to hair loss, especially in people who are genetically predisposed to male pattern baldness.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Hair loss can be a symptom of thyroid disease, which can be caused by an imbalance of thyroid hormones. A thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test can help determine if thyroid disease is the cause.
