---
title: "What blood tests help explain dry skin, acne and rashes?"
type: symptom
url: "https://www.test-well.com/symptoms/skin-problems"
symptom: Skin problems
aliases:
  - dry skin blood test
  - adult acne hormones
  - skin rash blood test
  - itchy skin
reviewed_at: 2026-09-06
review_status: reviewed
date_published: 2026-09-05
lab_fee_usd: 6
---

# What blood tests help explain dry skin, acne and rashes?

> Persistent skin changes sometimes have a systemic cause blood tests can find: dry, coarse skin with hypothyroidism; adult acne with androgen excess or PCOS; itching with liver, kidney or iron problems; and slow healing with high blood sugar or low zinc. TSH, a metabolic panel, ferritin, vitamin D, zinc, A1c and — for acne — androgens are the usual checks.


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

- A rapidly spreading rash, blistering, or a rash with fever or facial swelling — seek care immediately
- A new or changing mole, or a sore that doesn't heal — see a dermatologist

## Why these tests for skin problems?

The skin reflects thyroid status, hormones, nutrition and organ function. TSH covers thyroid causes; the CMP covers liver and kidney causes of itching; ferritin catches iron deficiency (a cause of itch and hair changes); vitamin D and zinc are common deficiencies that affect healing; A1c screens for diabetes in acne or recurrent infections; testosterone and DHEA-S evaluate hormonal acne.

## Which conditions do these tests help evaluate?

- [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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Vitamin & Mineral Deficiency Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/vitamin-mineral-panel) | Panel (9 tests) | $189.99 | $195.99 | No | 3–5 business days |
| [Complete Thyroid Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/thyroid-complete-panel) | Panel (4 tests) | $109.99 | $115.99 | No | 3–7 business days |
| [Women's Hormone Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/womens-hormone-panel) | Panel (11 tests) | $239.99 | $245.99 | No | 3–5 business days |
| [TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/tsh) | Test | $26.99 | $32.99 | No | 1–3 business days |
| [Comprehensive Metabolic Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/comprehensive-metabolic-panel) | Test | $22.99 | $28.99 | Yes | 1–3 business days |
| [Ferritin](https://www.test-well.com/tests/ferritin) | Test | $24.99 | $30.99 | 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 |
| [Zinc](https://www.test-well.com/tests/zinc) | Test | $26.99 | $32.99 | Yes | 3–6 business days |
| [Hemoglobin A1c](https://www.test-well.com/tests/hemoglobin-a1c) | Test | $21.99 | $27.99 | No | 2–4 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 |

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

## Common questions

### Can a blood test diagnose the cause of a rash?

Rarely on its own. Blood work finds systemic contributors (thyroid, iron, liver, blood sugar); most rashes need a clinician or dermatologist to look at them.

## 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 should you get for hair loss?](https://www.test-well.com/symptoms/hair-loss)
- [What blood tests check for causes of unexplained weight gain?](https://www.test-well.com/symptoms/weight-gain)
- [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/skin-problems
Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt

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.