Hair loss: which doctor to see and which tests are needed

Yuna Shkhagosheva — dermatologist, cosmetologist, trichologist
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How much shedding is normal

People lose roughly 50–100 hairs a day — the end of a natural cycle, with new hairs growing in their place. What should prompt attention is not hair on the brush but change: noticeably heavier shedding, a widening parting, a thinner ponytail, scalp becoming visible.

Three common patterns

• Telogen effluvium — diffuse shedding across the whole scalp, appearing 2–3 months after a trigger: serious illness, surgery, childbirth, rapid weight loss, severe stress, starting or stopping a medication. The defining feature is that the cause is in the past while the shedding is happening now. Usually reversible.
• Androgenetic alopecia — inherited. In women the parting widens while the hairline is preserved; in men the temples recede and the crown thins. Hairs miniaturise rather than simply fall. It does not resolve by itself but responds to treatment — and the earlier it is started, the better the result.
• Alopecia areata — round patches of complete hair loss with smooth skin. An autoimmune process requiring a different approach.

Which tests are actually needed

Not everything. A sensible minimum for diffuse shedding: ferritin, full blood count, thyroid function, vitamin D. Ferritin matters more here than serum iron because it reflects stores, and hair responds to store depletion well before anaemia develops. In women with irregular cycles, acne or excess hair growth, a hormone panel is added.

At GMS these are priced openly: ferritin AED 210, full blood count AED 100, thyroid function panel (T3, T4, TSH) AED 300, vitamin D AED 250. The last one comes back low in Dubai more often than people expect — life here moves between air-conditioned spaces with very little sun exposure.

What works and what does not

Works: correcting a deficiency where one is found; topical minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia, which has solid evidence; systemic treatment where indicated. Does not work as a standalone answer: expensive anti-hair-loss shampoos, vitamin complexes without a confirmed deficiency, courses of procedures without a diagnosis. Hair responds slowly — judging results before 3–4 months is pointless, and knowing that in advance is what stops people abandoning treatment halfway.

Where to start

With an examination. A trichologist assesses the pattern, performs trichoscopy and identifies the type of hair loss — everything else follows from that. Here a trichologist consultation is AED 750 and a dermatologist consultation AED 750; lab tests are taken in the same clinic and the results discussed at the appointment.

References

• American Academy of Dermatology. Hair loss: diagnosis and treatment
• European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV)

FAQ

How much hair loss per day is normal?

Roughly 50–100 hairs a day, the end of a natural cycle, with new hairs growing in their place. What should prompt attention is change: noticeably heavier shedding, a widening parting, a thinner ponytail or scalp becoming visible.

Which blood tests should I have for hair loss?

For diffuse shedding the sensible minimum is ferritin, full blood count, thyroid function (T3, T4, TSH) and vitamin D; women with irregular cycles, acne or excess hair growth also have a hormone panel. At GMS: ferritin AED 210, full blood count AED 100, thyroid panel AED 300, vitamin D AED 250.

Which doctor should I see for hair loss?

A trichologist, who assesses the pattern, performs trichoscopy and identifies the type of hair loss — telogen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia or alopecia areata — which determines treatment. At GMS a trichologist consultation is AED 750 and a dermatologist consultation AED 750; lab tests are taken in the same clinic.

This article is for information only and does not replace a consultation. If you have symptoms, see a doctor.

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