Hair loss can be due to a number of factors including:
- Genetic factors - women may start noticing thinning where they tend to part their hair and hairline.
- Stress - hair loss may be due to a stressful event. Most often hair loss is not immediate and may first show 3 to 6 months later.
- Nutrition - diet can play a significant role in hair growth. Hair grows from the scalp thanks to a rich environment of vitamins and nutrients obtained through what we eat.
- Hormonal imbalance - hair thinning can due to health concerns such as thyroid conditions, hormonal changes such as menopause which affects the hair follicle, and some medications for blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and acne.
What we test
Hormonal Changes - female
When levels of oestrogen and progesterone drop, hair can grow more slowly and become thinner. A decrease in these hormones may also trigger an increase in the production of androgens, or a group of male hormones. Androgens shrink hair follicles, resulting in hair loss on the head.
Stimulates follicle growth in the ovaries and also prepares the uterus for implantation. High day 3 levels may indicate a cyst in the ovary or reduced ovarian reserves.
Nutritional Markers
Our diet can play a significant role in the growth of healthy hair. It is important to remember that a healthy scalp supports healthy hair. The hair grows from the scalp thanks to a rich environment of vitamins and nutrients that are obtained through what we eat. For this reason, it is important to eat a healthy balanced diet.
Found in liver, eggs, seafood, red meats, oysters, certain seafood, milk products, eggs, beans, peas, lentils, nuts and whole grains. Needed for healthy skin, wound healing, and helps fight illnesses and infections.
Ferritin is a marker of iron stores in the body, and is used to assess iron status. Low levels can indicate iron deficiency, which is a common nutritional deficiency that can lead to anaemia, fatigue, and impaired immune function.
Although called a vitamin, vitamin D (25-OHD) is actually a steroid hormone which is activated by sunshine on the skin. It is essential for bone strength as it helps the intestines absorb calcium.
Thyroid Function
Your thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate growth and energy expenditure. Thyroid disorders are quite common, and many people don’t have any symptoms at all. This thyroid test screens for the thyroid hormones that play a key role in regulating the body’s metabolism.
Communicates with the thyroid gland to produce T3 and T4 which regulate metabolic functions. High TSH thyroid test levels indicates an underactive thyroid, and low levels an overactive thyroid.
Measures the thyroxine that is freely circulating and able to regulate metabolism. High FT4 thyroid test levels indicate an overactive thyroid, and low levels an underactive thyroid.
Measures the triiodothyronine that is freely circulating. High FT3 thyroid test levels indicate an overactive thyroid, and low levels an underactive thyroid.
Test instructions
Download and print your pathology form from your i-screen dashboard.
Take your form to one of our affiliated collection centres to have your sample taken.
This blood test should be completed on Day 3 of the menstrual cycle (which is the third day of menstrual bleeding).
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