Hair loss is a big problem, especially for the fair sex. After all, a luxurious hairstyle is the hallmark of a well-groomed woman. At first, a change of funds, the selection of special serum for feeding hair follicles comes to mind. And what if it does not help? What tests to do with hair loss? Of course, consultations with a trichologist cannot be avoided, but nevertheless it will not hurt to better understand this issue.
Briefly about the main thing
The health of the skin and hair directly depends on the state of the body as a whole. In the vast majority of cases, the causes of intense hair loss lie deep in the body. Most often, this is due to hormonal imbalance, dysfunctions and inflammatory processes, intestinal dysbiosis and impaired functioning of the immune system.
That is, even the most experienced doctor will not be able to determine the cause right away. But he will tell you what tests to take in case of hair loss in order to outline the right course of treatment. Today, everyone can get tested in a paid laboratory. But do not think that after it you yourself will prescribe treatment for yourself. Trichologist doctor must interpret the results. This is a specialist in hair and scalp problems.
Don't waste your money
Once again, we return to the fact that, first of all, a person tries to solve his problems on his own. Today, advertising actively promotes various expensive means that are capable of miracles. These are shampoos, balms, sprays. But to check none of them can stop hair loss. Moreover, for the most part they contain harmful parabens, silicones and sulfates. This is not about professional cosmetics, but about what lies on the shelves of supermarkets. If possible, it is better to consult with a hairdresser and purchase funds from a professional series.
Therefore, do not change shampoos one by one, hoping that the next will make your hairstyle similar to the one shown in the advertisement. It is better to focus on the examination and find out what tests to pass when hair loss.
Important rule
Today it is no secret that the quality of service in public and private clinics can vary greatly. Therefore, if time and money allow, it is better to undergo a comprehensive diagnosis in a trustworthy clinic. This is especially important for those who have not undergone medical examination for a long time and did not pass at least general tests.
In this case, women can simultaneously sign up for a consultation with a gynecologist-endocrinologist. Be sure everyone needs to undergo an ultrasound of the thyroid gland and do a general clinical blood test. This is just a basic survey. Additionally, everyone can be given their own directions.
Survey for self-examination
Examination for hair loss begins with a consultation with a doctor, on which he will certainly collect an anamnesis. Therefore, it is best to analyze your lifestyle, prepare answers at home and not waste time in your office. Questions will be as follows:
- Do you get enough sleep? How often do you have to go to bed after midnight and what are the reasons for this?
- Are you resting enough? A person needs a lunch break, preferably with a walk on the street. And after an 8-hour day, switch to other activities. A great option would be a sport or walking, watching your favorite shows, chatting with loved ones.
- Rate your diet. Is he somewhat balanced? To do this, it’s good to fill out a food diary within 10 days.
- What medications do you take?
- Do you lead a healthy lifestyle?
- In what conditions do you work?
- What care products do you use daily?
The list of tests for hair loss will depend on what you tell the doctor and what conclusions he draws from this.
Simple test
Always very sorry for the time and money to go to the doctors. Therefore, we usually pull to the last, convincing ourselves that nothing terrible is actually happening. So do a simple experiment on your hair. Take a small strand, hold it between your thumb and forefinger and pull slowly. Now evaluate the result. If the number of hairs dropped is more than seven, then it is imperative to consult a trichologist.
The rate of hair loss in women is up to 125 per day. The maximum amount will fall out when washing. Between water procedures, the loss is about 50 pieces per day. If you see that much more is lost in your case, then you need to take action. In addition to the survey, the doctor, using a special camera, examines the scalp and concludes that the hair growth is dense per square centimeter.
Causes of Hair Loss
This can include a serious thinning of hair. Of course, during the life of the hair falls out, and this is absolutely normal. The reasons for this may be the following:
- Infectious and fungal diseases. And you need to understand that this refers not only to skin lesions, but also to internal organs. A fungal infection can be detected by a biopsy of the scalp.
- Disruption of the hormonal background. Here, too, everything is pretty predictable. A lack of estrogen or an excess of testosterone causes the hair follicles to experience hunger. They lose strength, burn out. Hormonal disorders do not occur from scratch. The most common cause are thyroid, ovarian, or adrenal disease. Frequent stresses, prolonged use of drugs, pregnancy - all this can provoke a deterioration in the endocrine system.
- Avitaminosis. Another common reason for which it is customary to write off all problems with well-being. But in this case, the lack of important substances can really play a significant role. Hair follicles need to be supplied with micro and macro elements. With an unbalanced diet, they will not receive the necessary substances, begin to weaken, and the hair falls out.
Of course, the doctor faces a difficult task - to deal with the whole variety of reasons and find one that will lead to a solution to the problem. That is why it is very important that the specialist be competent and well know what tests are prescribed for hair loss. Otherwise, treatment will be a waste of time and money.
Laboratory examinations
- Very often, trichologists recommend their patients undergo a biochemical blood test. It allows the specialist to assess whether the kidneys and liver are working correctly, whether there is an active inflammatory process. In addition, this analysis allows you to evaluate the balance of trace elements.
- But more often than not, this is just the beginning. Biochemistry can be done even before a visit to the doctor, so that the first dose is more informative. After listening to the patient, the doctor will determine which tests to take. With hair loss, many factors have to be considered. For example, you can not ignore the hormonal background. To diagnose scalp and hair disease, an analysis of T3, T4, TSH, prolactin, FSH, LH, free testosterone, and progesterone is required. In some cases, the list may be reduced or enlarged.
- It is advisable to take a test for serum iron. This will eliminate anemia.
- The number of examinations also includes specific tests, which are necessary for an accurate diagnosis. This is a spectral analysis of hair and a mineralogram. Mineral imbalance in this case will allow you to unravel the tangle further and look for the cause of the latter. Spectral analysis shows the ratio of trace elements in the composition of the curls themselves.
Additional screening for parasites
Another reason that a trichologist should definitely consider. Treatment for hair loss can be long and unsuccessful, and all because the chance of infection with helminths is missed. After all, the simplest very often remains out of our attention.
Hair loss and the presence of helminths in the intestines are closely related. Therefore, the analysis of feces for worm eggs is necessary. This will allow you to adjust the treatment on time. At the same time, blood donation is prescribed to check for parasitic infections. For this reason, the problem often begins, especially in children.
Prevention
This is especially true if we are talking about teenagers. Tests for hair loss in them are most often within normal limits, so doctors refer to age-related changes and hormonal failure. But it is also important to convey to the young girl or young man certain rules that will help to forget about this problem:
- The condition of the curls depends on the food consumed. Therefore, we forget about soda, chips and hamburgers. Better a full meal in the school cafeteria. And various flavors and flavors do not add health to the hair at all.
- It is important to include enough vitamins and minerals in your diet.
- Regardless of fashion, you need to take care of your hair. That is, wear a hat in winter, and a light cap in summer.
Proper care
This applies not only to adolescents. Life today is accelerating, so there is less time for hair care. Therefore, we comb on the run, and turn on the hair dryer when laying at full power. And then we ask the doctors what to do. Tests are normal - hair loss can be stopped with home remedies:
- Wash your hair only in the direction of hair growth.
- Wipe them with a soft towel and dry naturally.
- Limit the use of a hairdryer, curling iron and ironing.
Stressful situations adversely affect the condition of the curls. Therefore, in the evening it is good to make tea with chamomile, mint and lemon balm.
Drug treatment
A doctor should select it, each patient individually. But today on the market there is a drug that is sold over the counter and collects good reviews. "Pantovigar" from hair loss is an effective remedy to combat this delicate problem. In the composition of the drug:
- Vitamin B1.
- Para-aminobenzoic acid.
- Medical yeast.
- Keratin.
- Cystine.
- Calcium D-pantothenate, or vitamin B5.
That is, first of all, the drug provides hair nutrition with the necessary substances. This allows you to activate their growth, as well as make them softer, silky and healthy. This is confirmed by numerous reviews. "Pantovigar" from hair loss can be included in the complex therapy when a problem other than vitamin deficiency and malnutrition of the hair follicles is discovered. The complex copes with its task perfectly. Of course, the drug is quite expensive, for which he often remove the stars when rating.