---
title: "What blood tests should you get for hair loss?"
type: symptom
url: "https://www.test-well.com/symptoms/hair-loss"
symptom: Hair loss
aliases:
  - hair thinning
  - hair shedding
  - alopecia blood test
  - losing hair
reviewed_at: 2026-09-06
review_status: reviewed
date_published: 2026-09-05
lab_fee_usd: 6
---

# What blood tests should you get for hair loss?

> Diffuse hair shedding is often driven by something measurable: low iron stores (ferritin), thyroid dysfunction (TSH), hormone shifts (testosterone, DHEA-S, SHBG) and low vitamin D or zinc. A first workup is ferritin, TSH, vitamin D and a hormone check appropriate to your sex; results guide whether the cause is nutritional, thyroid or androgen-related.


## When should you see a clinician instead of ordering a test?

- Sudden patchy hair loss, scalp pain, redness or scarring — see a dermatologist
- Hair loss with other new symptoms such as weight change, fatigue and joint pain together

## Why these tests for hair loss?

Hair follicles are sensitive to iron, thyroid hormone and androgens. Ferritin is the single most common finding in women with diffuse shedding — dermatologists often look for a level well above the lab's lower limit. Thyroid disease in either direction causes shedding, and androgen excess (in women) or sensitivity (in men) drives pattern thinning.

Vitamin D and zinc are supporting checks; both are frequently low and easy to correct. Autoimmune and scalp causes can't be found by blood work and need a clinician or dermatologist.

## Which conditions do these tests help evaluate?

- [Hair Loss](https://www.test-well.com/conditions/hair-loss) — Thyroid, iron/ferritin, hormones and vitamins behind unexplained shedding.
- [Thyroid Problems](https://www.test-well.com/conditions/thyroid-problems) — TSH, Free T4/T3 and antibodies to evaluate an under- or over-active thyroid.
- [PCOS](https://www.test-well.com/conditions/pcos) — Androgens, LH/FSH, insulin and thyroid markers to investigate PCOS.

## Which tests, and what do they cost?

| Test or panel | Type | Price | All-in (one item + $6 fee) | Fasting | Results |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Women's Hair Health Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/womens-hair-health-panel) | Panel (19 tests) | $469.99 | $475.99 | No | 4–7 business days |
| [Men's Hair Health Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/mens-hair-health-panel) | Panel (19 tests) | $499.99 | $505.99 | No | 4–7 business days |
| [Ferritin](https://www.test-well.com/tests/ferritin) | Test | $24.99 | $30.99 | No | 1–3 business days |
| [TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/tsh) | Test | $26.99 | $32.99 | No | 1–3 business days |
| [Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy](https://www.test-well.com/tests/vitamin-d) | Test | $41.99 | $47.99 | No | 1–3 business days |
| [Testosterone, Free & Total](https://www.test-well.com/tests/testosterone-free-and-total) | Test | $54.99 | $60.99 | No | 3–5 business days |
| [DHEA-Sulfate](https://www.test-well.com/tests/dhea-sulfate) | Test | $32.99 | $38.99 | No | 1–3 business days |
| [Zinc](https://www.test-well.com/tests/zinc) | Test | $26.99 | $32.99 | Yes | 3–6 business days |
| [CBC with Differential](https://www.test-well.com/tests/cbc-with-differential) | Test | $21.99 | $27.99 | No | 1–3 business days |

Prices are cash-pay; every order adds one $6.00 lab processing fee. Physician authorization included.

## Common questions

### What ferritin level matters for hair?

Reference ranges start around 11–30 ng/mL, but many dermatologists prefer stores comfortably above that before ruling iron out. Your clinician interprets the number with your CBC and symptoms; don't supplement iron without a confirmed low level.

### Can hair loss be from a thyroid that's only slightly off?

Yes — both hypo- and hyperthyroidism cause shedding, and treating the thyroid usually stops it over several months. TSH is the first check.

## Related

- [What blood tests should you get for fatigue?](https://www.test-well.com/symptoms/fatigue)
- [Which blood tests help explain brain fog?](https://www.test-well.com/symptoms/brain-fog)
- [What blood tests check for causes of unexplained weight gain?](https://www.test-well.com/symptoms/weight-gain)
- [Which blood tests are used for unexplained weight loss?](https://www.test-well.com/symptoms/unexplained-weight-loss)
- [All symptoms](https://www.test-well.com/symptoms)
- [Browse by condition](https://www.test-well.com/conditions)

---

Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-06. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/editorial-policy

Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/symptoms/hair-loss
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Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.