Female Pattern Hair Loss Diagnosis

Female hair loss is an issue that affects at least 20% of women. 

Female hair loss can be very difficult to diagnose.  Many different conditions and causes can have a similar superficial appearance.  A visit to a board certified dermatologist is recommended, since they specialize the most in hair loss.  They will need to perform a series of tests.

Because many doctors do not spend much time researching hair loss, it may take visits to several doctors to find an experienced dermatologist who knows how to diagnose and treat women's hair loss properly.   Any doctor who does not take a medical history such as the one below or perform the blood tests below may not have the proper background and knowledge to treat your hair loss.

The following tests should be performed in most circumstances to determine the cause of any hair loss:

• Hormone levels (DHEAS,Testosterone, Androstenedione, Prolactin, Follicular Stimulating Hormone, and Leutinizing Hormone).
• Serum Iron, Serum Ferritin, TIBC (Total Iron Binding capacity)
• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
• VDRL
• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Scalp Biopsy

Your Doctor Will Need the Following Medical History Information   What is the duration of the hair loss problem? Is the hair coming out by the roots, or is it breaking? Increased shedding or increasing thinning? Age of onset Drugs Menses, pregnancy, menopause Past health Family history Hair care, hair cosmetics Diet     Differential Diagnosis  Hair coming out by roots Hair breaking  Telogen effluvium Tinea capitis  Androgenetic alopecia Structural hair shaft abnormalities  Alopecia areata Breakage due to improper use of hair care cosmetics  Drugs Anagen arrest     Types of Hair Loss  Non-scarring Scarring  Androgenetic alopecia Discoid lupus erythematosus  Telogen effluvium Lichen planus  Alopecia areata Pseudopelade  Tinea capitis Severe fungal, viral or bacterial infection

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