Description
Your skin, hair, and nails can be powerful indicators of your overall health. Issues such as hair loss, brittle nails, or skin changes might be linked to underlying health conditions. This blood panel helps identify potential deficiencies or imbalances that could be affecting the health of your hair, skin, and nails. It also provides insights into whether your current medications are effective.
Tests Included in the Panel:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC):
- What it measures: Red and white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet count.
- Why it matters: A CBC helps identify underlying conditions like anemia or infections that could lead to hair loss, changes in skin appearance, or brittle nails.
- Ferritin:
- What it measures: The amount of stored iron in the body.
- Why it matters: Low ferritin levels can indicate iron deficiency, which is a common cause of hair loss, poor skin health, and weak nails. Ferritin is essential for the production of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to your body's cells.
- Iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC):
- What it measures: Levels of iron in your blood and the capacity of your blood to bind to and transport iron.
- Why it matters: Both low iron levels and high TIBC can point to iron deficiency, a common cause of fatigue, hair thinning, and skin problems. Proper iron balance is crucial for healthy skin, hair, and nails.
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH):
- What it measures: The hormone that regulates thyroid function.
- Why it matters: Thyroid dysfunction, especially hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, can cause changes in skin texture, hair thinning, and brittle nails. Monitoring TSH levels helps determine if thyroid issues are contributing to these concerns.
Additional Information:
- Fasting: This blood panel does not require fasting, making it convenient to collect at any time.
- Ideal for: Individuals experiencing hair thinning, skin dryness or breakouts, or nail weakness, or anyone looking to monitor the effectiveness of their current treatments for skin, hair, and nail health.
Summary:
The Hair, Nail, and Skin Blood Panel helps identify common causes of hair loss, skin issues, and weak nails, such as thyroid imbalances and iron deficiency. By tracking these biomarkers, you can gain insights into your overall health and take proactive steps to address any deficiencies or imbalances affecting your appearance and well-being.
