More hair in the shower drain. A parting that looks wider in photos. A ponytail that feels thinner than it used to. Hair loss in women is common and can be upsetting, and it is natural to want to know why it is happening. Blood tests can help with part of that answer. This guide explains what they look at, which panels are in the BPR catalogue, and what they cannot show.
Some shedding is normal
The NHS notes that we lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, often without noticing, and that hair loss is not usually a cause for concern (NHS, Hair loss). It can still be distressing, and it is worth looking into when it is new, sudden or clearly more than usual.
Two broad types of hair loss
Female pattern hair loss
Female pattern hair loss is the most common cause of hair loss in women and becomes more frequent with age (Bertoli et al., 2020). It usually shows as gradual thinning over the crown and a widening parting. The NHS notes that this type of hair loss often runs in families. A 2023 review describes treatments such as minoxidil and others that a dermatologist may consider (Müller Ramos et al., 2023). Its exact cause is not fully understood, and many women with it have normal blood results.
Temporary shedding
Other hair loss is temporary and diffuse. The NHS lists illness, stress, weight loss and iron deficiency among the possible triggers, and notes that hair often grows back once the cause settles (NHS, Hair loss). This is where blood tests can be most informative, because some triggers show up in the blood.
What the blood tests look at
LML describes hair loss in women as driven by a mix of hormonal, thyroid, nutritional and general health factors, and groups its markers accordingly:
- Iron stores and blood count: ferritin and a full blood count, which looks at haemoglobin and red cells.
- Vitamins and minerals: vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate and zinc.
- Thyroid: TSH and free T4. LML notes that thyroid imbalance is a common and often overlooked cause of diffuse thinning.
- Reproductive hormones: FSH, LH and oestradiol, which change around perimenopause.
- Liver and kidney markers: a general health check that helps put other results in context.
Advanced or Bespoke: what is the difference?
The BPR catalogue includes two LML panels for women:
- Female Hair Loss Advanced covers all of the above and adds androgen-related markers: testosterone, free testosterone (calculated), SHBG, free androgen index and DHEA sulphate, plus prolactin, progesterone and cortisol. LML notes that these hormones can point towards conditions such as PCOS or adrenal changes.
- Hair Loss Profile Female - Bespoke covers the blood count, iron, vitamins, zinc, thyroid, FSH, LH, oestradiol and liver and kidney markers, without the androgen and adrenal group.
If you also have irregular periods, acne or extra facial hair, the Advanced panel may be the more useful one to discuss with your doctor, because it includes the androgens. If those signs are absent, the Bespoke panel focuses on the common nutritional and thyroid factors.
