Hair Fall Problem? Find Out What Tests You Should Take
Worried about hair fall? Discover the essential tests to identify the root cause of your hair loss and find effective solutions. Get clarity on your hair health today!
Hair fall can be distressing, especially for young adults who take pride in maintaining healthy hair. Whether you're brushing your hair, running your fingers through it, or simply waking up to find strands on your pillow, excessive hair fall can be alarming. While occasional shedding is normal, consistent or sudden hair loss might point to an underlying health condition. Thankfully, a simple hair fall test can help uncover the root cause and set you on the right path to recovery. In this detailed guide, we’ll explore the most important blood tests for hair loss, what each test reveals about your body, and why a combo panel that includes iron, thyroid, vitamin B12, and vitamin D is one of the best diagnostic tools for both men and women aged 20 to 40.
Why Am I Losing Hair?
Hair loss isn’t just a cosmetic concern, it’s often a symptom. For adults in their 20s to 40s, causes can range from poor nutrition and stress to hormonal imbalance or medical conditions. Common reasons include:
- Nutritional deficiencies: Low levels of iron, vitamin B12, or vitamin D can weaken hair roots and trigger shedding.
- Thyroid imbalances: Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can disrupt the hair growth cycle.
- Post-COVID effects: Many experience temporary hair loss a few months after recovering from COVID-19.
- PCOS or hormonal disorders: Hormonal imbalances, especially in women, can lead to thinning or pattern hair loss.
- Sudden weight loss or crash diets: Rapid dieting can shock the body and deprive hair follicles of essential nutrients.
- Autoimmune conditions like alopecia areata: The immune system may mistakenly attack hair follicles, causing patchy hair loss.
- Excessive styling or heat damage: Frequent use of heat tools and harsh chemicals can damage and break hair over time.
Identifying the true cause early can make a big difference in treatment outcomes.
Why Do Blood Tests Matter in Diagnosing Hair Loss?
Hair is one of the first parts of the body to reflect poor nutrition or hormonal changes. Since the scalp and hair follicles depend on a steady supply of nutrients and hormones, any imbalance can disrupt the hair growth cycle.
This is where a blood test for hair loss becomes essential. These tests provide insights into what’s happening inside your body, whether you’re low in vitamins, anaemic, or dealing with a thyroid problem. By addressing the actual issue, you can move beyond surface-level treatments like oils and shampoos and treat hair fall at its source.
Must-Do Hairfall Blood Tests
Here are the most recommended blood tests for hair fall, especially tailored for adults aged 20 to 40:
1. Serum Ferritin (Iron Stores Test)
Iron deficiency is one of the leading causes of hair thinning and shedding, particularly in women. Even if you’re not anaemic, low ferritin levels can trigger hair loss.
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Why it matters: Iron helps in the production of haemoglobin, which carries oxygen to hair follicles. Low iron = poor hair follicle health.
- Symptoms of low ferritin: Fatigue, brittle nails, pale skin, hair shedding
- Normal range: 20–200 ng/mL (levels below 50 are often linked to hair fall)
2. Thyroid Profile Test (T3, T4, TSH)
Thyroid disorders, whether hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, can disrupt the natural hair growth cycle, leading to hair thinning, dryness, and even hair loss along the hairline or crown.
Why it matters: Thyroid hormones control metabolism and affect hair follicle cycling. Imbalances slow growth and accelerate shedding.
- Ideal for: Men and women experiencing fatigue, weight changes, or mood swings with hair fall
- Tests in panel: TSH, Free T3, Free T4
3. Vitamin B12, Active (Holotranscobalamin) Test
Vitamin B12 is essential for healthy nerve function, red blood cell production, and DNA synthesis. Active B12 (also known as holotranscobalamin) is the biologically available form that your body can actually use, making it a more accurate marker of B12 status than total B12 levels.
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Why it matters: A deficiency in active B12 can lead to neurological issues, chronic fatigue, memory problems, and even hair thinning. Since it’s the active portion, it reflects the real-time B12 available for cellular function.Early detection can prevent long-term damage.
- Symptoms of low Active B12: Tiredness, numbness or tingling in hands/feet, brain fog, poor memory, mood swings, hair loss, and pale skin.
- Normal range: 35–140 pmol/L (levels below 50 pmol/L may suggest functional B12 deficiency, even if total B12 appears normal)
4. Vitamin D Test (25-OH D)
Vitamin D plays a critical role in hair follicle cycling. Low levels are associated with conditions like telogen effluvium (sudden hair shedding) and alopecia areata.
Why it matters: Vitamin D also supports immunity and skin health, both crucial for a healthy scalp.
- Symptoms of deficiency: Bone pain, low mood, frequent illness, chronic hair loss
- Normal range: 30–100 ng/mL
5. Insulin Fasting Test
Insulin resistance is a common but overlooked cause of hair loss, especially in individuals with PCOS or metabolic syndrome. High insulin levels can disrupt hormone balance and trigger androgenic hair thinning.
Why it matters: Insulin regulates blood sugar, but chronically elevated levels can increase androgen activity, leading to scalp hair loss and unwanted facial hair in women.
- Symptoms of insulin resistance: Weight gain (especially around the belly), fatigue, skin darkening (acanthosis nigricans), irregular periods, and hair thinning.
- Normal range: 2.6–24.9 µIU/mL (fasting levels above 10–12 may suggest insulin resistance).
Combo Panels: Test Packages for Hair Loss
Hair loss can stem from multiple internal imbalances, and Apollo 24|7 offers dedicated hairfall test panels to identify the root cause. These packages combine essential blood tests for a more accurate diagnosis. Here are the hairfall-related lab test panels available on Apollo 24|7, along with their names and overview:
1. Apollo Hairfall Check – Basic: Includes 31 tests covering vitamin D, B12, iron profile, thyroid function, and complete blood count to assess common nutritional and hormonal causes of hair fall.
2. Apollo Hairfall Check – Essential: Includes 36 tests such as CBC, TSH, iron studies, vitamin profile, and lipid panel to provide a broader overview of factors contributing to hair loss.
3. Apollo Hairfall Check Advance – Female: Includes 57 tests tailored for women, focusing on thyroid hormones, iron status, vitamin levels, PCOS indicators, and stress-related markers to identify female-specific causes of hair thinning.
4. Apollo Hairfall Check Advance – Male: Includes 51 tests designed for men, covering testosterone levels, thyroid function, vitamin deficiencies, and iron profile to detect underlying hormonal or nutritional triggers.
Combo Hairfall Test Panels: Why They Make Sense
Instead of taking individual tests, most doctors now recommend comprehensive hair fall panels that assess multiple parameters in one go. This approach is:
- Cost-effective: Cheaper than booking tests separately
- Time-saving: Fewer samples, quicker diagnosis
- Clinically efficient: Covers all common causes of hair loss in one round
When Should You Get a Hairfall Test?
If you’re noticing any of the following, it’s a good time to test:
- Hair falling out in clumps while combing or washin
- Noticeable thinning on the crown or along the hairline
- Hair loss accompanied by fatigue or mood swings
- Persistent dandruff or scalp itchiness
- Recent illness (e.g., COVID-19), major weight change, or diet change
- Family history of hormonal imbalances or autoimmune disease
Who Should Consider a Blood Test for Hair Loss?
These tests are especially useful for:
- Young Women (20 - 40): To identify deficiencies or hormonal issues such as PCOS or thyroid disorders
- Young Men (20 - 40): To evaluate stress-related, genetic, or deficiency-driven hair fall
- Postpartum Women: As hormone shifts and iron loss post-delivery can cause significant shedding
- Fitness Enthusiasts: Crash diets or intense training can deplete vitamins and minerals
Preparing for a Hairfall Blood Test
Most tests don’t require fasting unless specified. To ensure accurate results:
- Ask your doctor if fasting is required (especially for thyroid or metabolic tests)
- Avoid biotin supplements for at least 48 hours. They can interfere with thyroid test results
- Stay hydrated for easier blood draw
- Note all symptoms you’ve been experiencing to help your doctor interpret the results better
How to Interpret Hairfall Test Results?
While only your doctor can provide a detailed interpretation, here’s a simplified guide:
What to Do After You Receive Your Test Results?
Receiving your test results can be both a relief and a source of anxiety, especially if the numbers fall outside the normal range. But knowing what to do next is just as important as getting tested. This section will guide you on how to interpret your results, take informed action, and plan your next steps.
- Review with a doctor: Don’t self-diagnose. Some values vary by lab and age group.
- Begin treatment early: Supplements, diet changes, or hormone therapy may be advised.
- Monitor improvement: Most hair fall improvements take 6–12 weeks post-treatment.
- Lifestyle check: Reduce stress, sleep well, eat balanced meals, and avoid chemical-heavy hair care.
Conclusion
If you’re between 20 and 40 and facing unexplained hair fall, don’t ignore the signs. Your body could be trying to tell you something important, whether it’s a vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalance, or post-illness recovery issue. Getting a hair fall test early can make all the difference. A blood test for hair loss that includes iron, thyroid, vitamin B12, and vitamin D offers a comprehensive view of your health and supports targeted treatment. With Apollo 24|7’s curated hair fall panels, you get access to high-quality lab diagnostics, affordable combo packages, and home sample collection, making it easier than ever to prioritise your hair health.
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