7 Tests that Help Doctors Understand Female Hair Loss

Anagen Effluvium

This is also known as rapid hair loss and usually happens as a byproduct of taking certain medications.

Advanced Alopecia Areata

This is an autoimmune disease. Like any other autoimmune illness, your immune system attacks your healthy tissue.  So it’s unsurprising that alopecia areata refers to the destruction of hair follicles resulting in hair loss. 

8. Hair Tug

This is very similar to the pull test. However, it has a very different function.

Namely, a tug test requires a doctor to take a section of your hair in both hands — one hand near the root and the other towards the tip.

The doctor will then gently tug the hair to see if any strands break. This gives the healthcare advisor a better indicator of the brittleness of your hair.

9. Savin Scale

This scale was developed back in 1996 at Yale University by Dr. Savin. This scale classifies hair loss patterns in women suffering from female pattern baldness- also known as androgenetic alopecia.

How does this work?

This scale is comprised of nine computer illustrations enabling the health care professional to visually assess the hair loss pattern and thickness of the patient’s hair. 

 

 

 

Telogen Effluvium

This is where your hair falls out all over your scalp, and occurs when there’s an interruption to your body’s natural cycle of hair production.

Anagen Effluvium

This is also known as rapid hair loss and usually happens as a byproduct of taking certain medications.

Advanced Alopecia Areata

This is an autoimmune disease. Like any other autoimmune illness, your immune system attacks your healthy tissue.  So it’s unsurprising that alopecia areata refers to the destruction of hair follicles resulting in hair loss. 

8. Hair Tug

This is very similar to the pull test. However, it has a very different function.

Namely, a tug test requires a doctor to take a section of your hair in both hands — one hand near the root and the other towards the tip.

The doctor will then gently tug the hair to see if any strands break. This gives the healthcare advisor a better indicator of the brittleness of your hair.

9. Savin Scale

This scale was developed back in 1996 at Yale University by Dr. Savin. This scale classifies hair loss patterns in women suffering from female pattern baldness- also known as androgenetic alopecia.

How does this work?

This scale is comprised of nine computer illustrations enabling the health care professional to visually assess the hair loss pattern and thickness of the patient’s hair. 

 

 

 

Here are some of the tests associated with physical examination:

5. Densitometry

This is a technique that requires a healthcare professional to use a handheld magnification device called a densitometer. This enables the doctor to see if there’s any shrinking or miniaturization of the hair follicles that could be causing hair loss. 

6. Scalp Biopsy

A scalp biopsy is when a dermatologist takes a small section of your scalp, (usually no bigger than 4 mm in diameter) and examines it under a microscope.

Hopefully, this assessment will bring them closer to figuring out what’s prompting your hair loss.

7. Hair Pull

The hair pull test does exactly what it says on the tin. 

The doctor will ever so lightly pull on a small amount of your hair. Typically, the doctor won’t take more than 100 strands at a time. 

This should give them a better of whether you’re suffering from excessive hair loss.

What’s excessive hair loss?

If your doctor finds more than three hairs come out during the pull test, you’re suffering from ‘above average’ hair loss. 

This test may indicate that you’re suffering from any of the following conditions:

Telogen Effluvium

This is where your hair falls out all over your scalp, and occurs when there’s an interruption to your body’s natural cycle of hair production.

Anagen Effluvium

This is also known as rapid hair loss and usually happens as a byproduct of taking certain medications.

Advanced Alopecia Areata

This is an autoimmune disease. Like any other autoimmune illness, your immune system attacks your healthy tissue.  So it’s unsurprising that alopecia areata refers to the destruction of hair follicles resulting in hair loss. 

8. Hair Tug

This is very similar to the pull test. However, it has a very different function.

Namely, a tug test requires a doctor to take a section of your hair in both hands — one hand near the root and the other towards the tip.

The doctor will then gently tug the hair to see if any strands break. This gives the healthcare advisor a better indicator of the brittleness of your hair.

9. Savin Scale

This scale was developed back in 1996 at Yale University by Dr. Savin. This scale classifies hair loss patterns in women suffering from female pattern baldness- also known as androgenetic alopecia.

How does this work?

This scale is comprised of nine computer illustrations enabling the health care professional to visually assess the hair loss pattern and thickness of the patient’s hair. 

 

 

 

Your doctor will decide which (if any), of these to conduct in order to get to the bottom of your hair loss. 

2. VDRL

The VDRL test is just another blood test. However, it could reveal whether your hair loss is a symptom of syphilis. 

Your blood sample is sent to be tested for antibodies that form as a byproduct of this sexually transmitted disease.  

You shouldn’t need to fast or stop taking any medications to prepare for this test- unless your doctor specifies otherwise.

When your doctor receives the results from the blood test, they’ll have a better idea of whether the infection has spread to your brain. If they have cause to think this, you may also need your spinal fluid tested.

3. Test for Fungal Infections

The formal name for this test is; ‘fungal culture.’ It’s a lab test confirming whether there’s any fungus present in your hair or scalp cells that could cause your hair to start thinning. 

Tinea capitis, also known as scalp ringworm, is the most common fungal infection associated with female baldness. 

What’s involved?

This test requires a dermatologist to scrape or swab the scalp. Alternatively, they’ll take a little skin or hair sample to test in the lab.

However, this test can certainly take its time. It can need weeks of incubation in laboratory settings for a fungus culture test to turn positive.

Physical Exam

A physical exam is when a dermatologist assesses the patient’s scalp to see whether there’s any:

• Inflammation
• Redness
• Irritation
• Scarring

Not only do these exams give the doctor an idea of what’s causing the baldness but they’ll also get an approximation of:

• How much hair you’re loosing
• The pattern of the baldness
• The brittleness of your hair 

Here are some of the tests associated with physical examination:

5. Densitometry

This is a technique that requires a healthcare professional to use a handheld magnification device called a densitometer. This enables the doctor to see if there’s any shrinking or miniaturization of the hair follicles that could be causing hair loss. 

6. Scalp Biopsy

A scalp biopsy is when a dermatologist takes a small section of your scalp, (usually no bigger than 4 mm in diameter) and examines it under a microscope.

Hopefully, this assessment will bring them closer to figuring out what’s prompting your hair loss.

7. Hair Pull

The hair pull test does exactly what it says on the tin. 

The doctor will ever so lightly pull on a small amount of your hair. Typically, the doctor won’t take more than 100 strands at a time. 

This should give them a better of whether you’re suffering from excessive hair loss.

What’s excessive hair loss?

If your doctor finds more than three hairs come out during the pull test, you’re suffering from ‘above average’ hair loss. 

This test may indicate that you’re suffering from any of the following conditions:

Telogen Effluvium

This is where your hair falls out all over your scalp, and occurs when there’s an interruption to your body’s natural cycle of hair production.

Anagen Effluvium

This is also known as rapid hair loss and usually happens as a byproduct of taking certain medications.

Advanced Alopecia Areata

This is an autoimmune disease. Like any other autoimmune illness, your immune system attacks your healthy tissue.  So it’s unsurprising that alopecia areata refers to the destruction of hair follicles resulting in hair loss. 

8. Hair Tug

This is very similar to the pull test. However, it has a very different function.

Namely, a tug test requires a doctor to take a section of your hair in both hands — one hand near the root and the other towards the tip.

The doctor will then gently tug the hair to see if any strands break. This gives the healthcare advisor a better indicator of the brittleness of your hair.

9. Savin Scale

This scale was developed back in 1996 at Yale University by Dr. Savin. This scale classifies hair loss patterns in women suffering from female pattern baldness- also known as androgenetic alopecia.

How does this work?

This scale is comprised of nine computer illustrations enabling the health care professional to visually assess the hair loss pattern and thickness of the patient’s hair. 

 

 

 

Are you one of the 40% of women aged 40 or over, suffering from female hair loss?

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If so, you’ll want to know the tests used to diagnose the root of the problem (no pun intended).

Luckily for you, we’ve noted these for your perusal. 

Let’s dive in!

1. Blood Tests

If your doctor thinks your hair loss stems from an autoimmune disorder like lupus or an overactive thyroid, you may need a series of blood tests to monitor the following hormone levels:

• DHEAs
• Prolactin
• Follicular stimulating hormone
• Luteinizing hormone
• Testosterone
• Androstenedione

You may also require a blood test to track your C-reactive proteins and erythrocyte sedimentation rates.

The same’s true of all the following levels:

• Serum iron
• A complete blood count
• Serum ferritin
• Thyroid stimulating hormones (T3, T4, TSH)
• Antinuclear Antibodies: (this measures your autoimmune reactions in your blood) 
• Your total iron binding capacity (this checks your bodies ability to carry iron in the blood).

Your doctor will decide which (if any), of these to conduct in order to get to the bottom of your hair loss. 

2. VDRL

The VDRL test is just another blood test. However, it could reveal whether your hair loss is a symptom of syphilis. 

Your blood sample is sent to be tested for antibodies that form as a byproduct of this sexually transmitted disease.  

You shouldn’t need to fast or stop taking any medications to prepare for this test- unless your doctor specifies otherwise.

When your doctor receives the results from the blood test, they’ll have a better idea of whether the infection has spread to your brain. If they have cause to think this, you may also need your spinal fluid tested.

3. Test for Fungal Infections

The formal name for this test is; ‘fungal culture.’ It’s a lab test confirming whether there’s any fungus present in your hair or scalp cells that could cause your hair to start thinning. 

Tinea capitis, also known as scalp ringworm, is the most common fungal infection associated with female baldness. 

What’s involved?

This test requires a dermatologist to scrape or swab the scalp. Alternatively, they’ll take a little skin or hair sample to test in the lab.

However, this test can certainly take its time. It can need weeks of incubation in laboratory settings for a fungus culture test to turn positive.

Physical Exam

A physical exam is when a dermatologist assesses the patient’s scalp to see whether there’s any:

• Inflammation
• Redness
• Irritation
• Scarring

Not only do these exams give the doctor an idea of what’s causing the baldness but they’ll also get an approximation of:

• How much hair you’re loosing
• The pattern of the baldness
• The brittleness of your hair 

Here are some of the tests associated with physical examination:

5. Densitometry

This is a technique that requires a healthcare professional to use a handheld magnification device called a densitometer. This enables the doctor to see if there’s any shrinking or miniaturization of the hair follicles that could be causing hair loss. 

6. Scalp Biopsy

A scalp biopsy is when a dermatologist takes a small section of your scalp, (usually no bigger than 4 mm in diameter) and examines it under a microscope.

Hopefully, this assessment will bring them closer to figuring out what’s prompting your hair loss.

7. Hair Pull

The hair pull test does exactly what it says on the tin. 

The doctor will ever so lightly pull on a small amount of your hair. Typically, the doctor won’t take more than 100 strands at a time. 

This should give them a better of whether you’re suffering from excessive hair loss.

What’s excessive hair loss?

If your doctor finds more than three hairs come out during the pull test, you’re suffering from ‘above average’ hair loss. 

This test may indicate that you’re suffering from any of the following conditions:

Telogen Effluvium

This is where your hair falls out all over your scalp, and occurs when there’s an interruption to your body’s natural cycle of hair production.

Anagen Effluvium

This is also known as rapid hair loss and usually happens as a byproduct of taking certain medications.

Advanced Alopecia Areata

This is an autoimmune disease. Like any other autoimmune illness, your immune system attacks your healthy tissue.  So it’s unsurprising that alopecia areata refers to the destruction of hair follicles resulting in hair loss. 

8. Hair Tug

This is very similar to the pull test. However, it has a very different function.

Namely, a tug test requires a doctor to take a section of your hair in both hands — one hand near the root and the other towards the tip.

The doctor will then gently tug the hair to see if any strands break. This gives the healthcare advisor a better indicator of the brittleness of your hair.

9. Savin Scale

This scale was developed back in 1996 at Yale University by Dr. Savin. This scale classifies hair loss patterns in women suffering from female pattern baldness- also known as androgenetic alopecia.

How does this work?

This scale is comprised of nine computer illustrations enabling the health care professional to visually assess the hair loss pattern and thickness of the patient’s hair.