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Hair Fall Problem? Find Out What Tests You Should Take

Published On : October 07, 2025

Hair fall becomes one of the common problems for every one, notably it affects both men and women of all ages. Also, losing 50 to 100 strands of hair per day is quite normal, increased shedding, thinning, or bald patches indicates an underlying problem. When it comes to hair fall, it not just affects the individuals appearance but disturbs self-esteem and confidence.

But the truth is, hair fall is not always linked with a cosmetic problem. Often it indicates some deeper health issues like nutritional deficiencies, hormonal fluctuations, stress, or medical issues. Simply, the first step towards getting an appropriate hair fall treatment in Pilkhuwa is identifying the root cause. And this is where the medical tests come into the frame.

Further, this blog will give you a brief understanding of the common causes of hair fall, the correct tests to diagnose it, and how you can maintain your hair health.

Hair Fall Problem? Find Out What Tests You Should Take

What are the common causes of hair fall?

Before knowing about test options, you should be aware of why hair fall happens. Some of the most common causes include:

  • Nutritional deficiencies: Lack of iron, vitamin D, vitamin B12, zinc, or protein will weaken hair roots.
  • Hormonal fluctuations: A few conditions such as PCOS, thyroid disorders, or menopause will cause hair loss.
  • Stress: Stress caused by both emotionally and physically can result in temporary hair shedding (telogen effluvium).
  • Medications: Cancer medicines, blood pressure, or depression may have hair loss as a side effect.
  • Scalp conditions: Fungal infections, dandruff, or psoriasis will affect hair follicles.
  • Autoimmune disorders: Certain autoimmune disorders such as alopecia areata, where the immune system will attack the hair follicles.

As there are several causes, healthcare professionals will suggest a few tests to identify the exact trigger.

What are the common signs of hair loss?

Hair loss doesn’t always happen suddenly in many cases, it develops gradually and shows early warning signs that are easy to overlook. Another indicator is thinning hair on the scalp, which may appear as a widening part, reduced hair volume, or a visible scalp in certain areas.

For men, a classic sign is receding hairline or thinning at the crown, while women may notice diffuse thinning across the scalp rather than bald patches. Some people may develop bald spots (circular or patchy areas) or experience sudden handfuls of hair coming out when brushing or washing.

Other warning signs include itchy, flaky, or painful scalp, which can point to infections or skin conditions contributing to hair fall. Autoimmune disorders such as alopecia areata, small bald patches the size of coins will appear.

Early recognition of these symptoms are crucial, as early diagnosis and treatment assist in slowing or in rare cases it will reverse the cycle of hair loss. If you notice persistent shedding or scalp changes, consulting a dermatologist in Hapur for hair is the best next step.

What are the essential tests available for hair fall diagnosis?

  1. Complete blood count (CBC):

    This CBC test checks the overall health of your blood by measuring both RBC and WBC, hemoglobin, and platelets.

    • Why is it crucial: Reduced hemoglobin or anemia will lower your oxygen supply to the hair follicles, weakening them.
    • What it identifies: Anemia, infections, immune system issues.
  2. Serum Ferritin Test:

    Ferritin is nothing more than a protein that stores iron in the body. Low ferritin indicates iron deficiency, which remains a crucial cause of hair thinning in women.

    • Why is it crucial: The crucial component for hair growth and repair is iron.
    • What it identifies: Iron deficiency anemia, hidden nutrient shortages.
  3. Vitamin D test:

    In hair follicle cycling vitamin D has a special place. So when there is vitamin D deficiency hair shedding will occur.

    • Why is it crucial: Vitamin D assists in creating fresh hair follicles.
    • What it finds: Reduced level of Vitamin D indicates the risk of hair thinning and bone weakness.
  4. Vitamin B12 Test:

    Vitamin B12 is crucial for the production of red blood cells and oxygen transport.

    • Why is it crucial: A deficiency will result in poor circulation to hair roots.
    • What it identifies: Fatigue, pernicious anemia, and weak hair growth.
  5. Thyroid function tests (T3, T4, TSH):

    The thyroid gland plays a critical role in regulating metabolism, energy, and hair growth. Both hyperthyroidism, that is overactive thyroid, and hypothyroidism, low thyroid will cause hair fall.

    • Why is it important: Hormonal changes will affect the cycle of hair growth.
    • What it identifies: Metabolism problems, and thyroid disorders.
  6. Hormonal tests (for women):

    For women going through sudden hair fall, irregular periods, or acne, hormonal changes remain a significant cause, when you should consider reaching out to the GS Super Speciality Hospital for appropriate treatment and care. The common tests include:

    • Testosterone & DHEAS: Increased levels of which indicate PCOS.
    • LH & FSH: To analyse ovarian function.
    • Prolactin: Increased levels will affect the menstrual cycle and hair growth.
  7. Zinc and magnesium levels:

    Often these minerals are overlooked but are crucial for healthy hair.

    • Why is it crucial: Zinc helps with hair follicle recovery, while magnesium supports protein synthesis.
    • What it identifies: Some unnoticed nutrient deficiencies that trigger shedding.
  8. In rare cases, scalp biopsy:

    In case the cause remains unclear, a healthcare professional will suggest a scalp biopsy, where a tiny piece of scalp tissue will be examined under a microscope.

    • Why is it crucial: Assist in diagnosing autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areata, scarring alopecia, or fungal infections.
  9. DHEA-S and cortisol tests:

    High stress and adrenal gland dysfunction can raise cortisol, leading to hair thinning.

    • Why it’s important: Chronic stress is a silent contributor to hair loss.
    • What it reveals: Adrenal fatigue, hormonal imbalance.
  10. Other specialized tests:

    • Liver and Kidney Function Tests: To rule out chronic illnesses affecting nutrient absorption.
    • Blood Test: Healing process and circulation to hair follicles will be affected with diabetes.

How Doctors Decide Which Tests You Need?

Not everyone needs all the tests. A dermatologist or trichologist usually recommends tests to find cause of hair fall based on:

  • Your age and gender.
  • Pattern of hair fall (diffuse thinning, bald patches, or hairline recession).
  • Other symptoms (fatigue, weight changes, irregular periods, skin issues).

For example:

  • A woman with irregular periods and acne may be advised PCOS-related hormonal tests.
  • A man with gradual receding hairline may not need extensive tests, as genetics could be the primary reason.
  • Someone with sudden, severe hair fall may undergo CBC, ferritin, thyroid, and vitamin tests.

Does stress cause hair loss?

Yes, stress can cause hair loss, and it is one of the most common but often overlooked triggers. When the body undergoes physical or emotional stress, it can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle, leading to a condition called telogen effluvium. In this state, a larger number of hair follicles enter the resting (telogen) phase, causing noticeable shedding a few weeks or months later.

Stress may also worsen alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own hair follicles, causing round bald patches. In some cases, people develop trichotillomania, a stress-related habit of pulling out their own hair.

Common triggers include major life changes, illness, surgery, childbirth, exams, or ongoing anxiety. Fortunately, this stress-induced hair fall is always temporary. Once stress is managed through proper rest, exercise, meditation, or therapy, hair typically regrows within a few months.

However, if shedding continues beyond 6 months or is accompanied by scalp issues, it’s best to consult a dermatologist to rule out other causes. Managing stress is not only good for your mind and body but also for maintaining healthy, strong hair.

When should someone worry about hair fall?

It’s normal to lose 50–100 strands of hair daily, as this is part of the natural hair growth cycle. However, you should start worrying about hair fall if you notice excessive shedding, such as clumps of hair on your pillow, shower drain, or hairbrush. Visible signs like a widening part, thinning crown, receding hairline, or bald patches are also indicators that something more than routine shedding is happening.

Another red flag is if hair loss is accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, sudden weight changes, irregular periods, brittle nails, or scalp problems like itching, redness, or pain. These may point to underlying health issues such as thyroid disorders, hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficiencies, or autoimmune conditions.

You should also seek medical advice if hair fall begins suddenly and severely, especially after illness, surgery, or extreme stress, as this may signal telogen effluvium.

If excessive hair fall persists for more than a few weeks, it’s best to consult a dermatologist or trichologist. Early diagnosis through simple blood tests and scalp examination can identify the cause and make treatment more effective. In short, worry when hair loss is sudden, persistent, or accompanied by other health changes.

Are there any lifestyle changes available to prevent my hair fall?

Stop thinking only about what tests to do for hair fall , but, you can also take preventive steps to support hair health:

  1. Balanced Diet – Include leafy greens, eggs, nuts, beans, and fish for protein, iron, and vitamins.
  2. Stay Hydrated – With the help of water you can nourish your scalp and roots of your hair.
  3. Stress Management – You can balance your hormones with yoga, sleep, and meditation.
  4. Hair Care Routine – Avoid harsh shampoos, heat styling, and chemical treatments.
  5. Regular Exercise – Improves blood circulation to the scalp.

When to See a Doctor?

You should consider reaching out to the doctor for hair fall if:

  • You notice sudden and excessive hair loss.
  • Itching, pain in the scalp, and redness will be accompanied with hair fall.
  • You develop bald patches or thinning in unusual areas.
  • There are other symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, or menstrual irregularities.

Bottom line:

In conclusion, we can say that, hair fall is not just about appearance, it can be a signal from your body that something is off. Also, you need to understand that oils and home remedies will offer only a temporary relief, but they don’t deal with the underlying cause.

By taking the right diagnostic tests, you can uncover whether your hair loss is due to a deficiency, hormonal imbalance, stress, or medical condition. Once identified, treatment becomes more effective and personalized.

Remember: healthy hair starts with a healthy body. If you’re facing persistent hair fall, don’t just cover it up, dig deeper, get tested, and treat the root cause.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. How do I know if my hair fall is normal or a sign of a problem?

    It’s normal to shed 50–100 strands per day as part of the natural growth cycle. But if you notice clumps of hair on your pillow, brush, or shower drain, or visible thinning patches on your scalp, it may indicate an underlying issue that requires medical attention.

  2. Which test is most important for diagnosing hair loss?

    The first-line tests are usually a Complete Blood Count (CBC), serum ferritin, thyroid function test, and vitamin D/B12 tests. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may also suggest hormonal tests, zinc levels, or a scalp biopsy.

  3. Do men and women need different tests for hair fall?

    In several cases, the first level of tests will be common. However, women may need hormonal tests (like testosterone, DHEAS, LH, and FSH) to rule out PCOS or hormonal imbalance, while men with genetic hair thinning may not require extensive testing unless symptoms suggest otherwise.

  4. Can stress-related hair loss be detected in tests?

    Not directly. Stress causes a condition called telogen effluvium, where more hairs enter the shedding phase. Doctors may check cortisol levels or evaluate lifestyle factors, but stress-related hair loss is often diagnosed through history rather than blood tests.

  5. How soon can I expect results after correcting deficiencies?

    Hair regrowth will start within 3 to 6 months post correcting the underlying problem. Hair grows slowly, so patience and consistent treatment are essential.

  6. Should I take hair supplements without testing?

    It’s not advisable. Over-supplementation of vitamins like iron can be harmful. Always consult a doctor and undergo tests before starting supplements to ensure safe and effective treatment.

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