Losing your hair can be a distressing experience. In men, practically all cases of hair loss are due to androgenic alopecia (male-pattern baldness). However, for women, the situation is not quite so straightforward. There are quite a few different medical conditions that can cause hair loss in women. Before trying to treat hair loss, it is essential to identify the cause of the disorder.
Common causes of hair loss in women include:
•Iron-deficiency anemia
•Hypothyroidism
•Androgenic alopecia
•Trauma and stress
•Polycystic ovary syndrome
•Lupus
•Syphilis
Blood tests
Tests performed on blood samples are very informative as to the causes of hair loss. Hormone levels are measured to help determine if the hair loss might be caused by a hormonal imbalance. To test for the possibility of hypothyroidism, levels of T3, T4 and TSH need to be measured. To test for the possibility of iron-deficiency anemia, serum iron levels are measured. A CBC (count of the blood cells) can reveal abnormalities suggestive of autoimmune diseases or infection.
VDRL
This is a test for syphilis infection. It is performed on a simple blood sample. Many women who contract syphilis are unaware that they are infected. During the secondary phase of syphilis, patchy hair loss may occur.
Densitometry
The doctor performs this test by examining the scalp carefully with a hand-held device. The densitometry test looks for a process called miniaturization of the hairs. Miniaturization occurs in androgenic alopecia.
Hair pull
The hair pull test is very straightforward- the doctor grasps about 100 strands of hair and pulls gently to see if excessive hair shedding is occurring. Hair loss can occur through excessive shedding, lack of replacement hair growth, or both.
Scalp biopsy
The scalp biopsy requires a tiny piece of scalp to be excised. This is usually done with a local anesthetic. The piece of tissue is examined under a microscope to give insight into the hair loss process.
Treatment
Treatment for hair loss in women depends on the cause. For example, if the cause is hypothyroidism, medication will correct the problem. For some types of hair loss, there is little that can be done. Minoxidil can be helpful for women with androgenic alopecia, but it won't completely stop the hair loss. Hair loss from lupus is usually permanent due to scarring of the hair follicles.
If you're not happy with your doctor's diagnosis and treatment of your hair loss, don't hesitate to contact us for an evaluation.
