Hair fall has become one of the most common concerns today — across age groups, genders, and lifestyles. From noticing extra strands on your pillow to seeing thinning patches on your scalp, hair loss can be worrying and, honestly, a bit stressful too. While many people immediately jump to oils, shampoos, or supplements, the real question often remains unanswered: what is actually causing the hair fall?
That’s where medical evaluation comes in. Instead of guessing, doctors rely on specific tests to diagnose hair fall and identify the root cause accurately. Hair loss is rarely random; it’s usually your body giving subtle signals that something is off — be it nutrition, hormones, or internal health.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the 5 essential tests to diagnose hair loss, why they matter, what they reveal, and when you should consider getting them done.
Hair loss can happen due to many reasons, such as:
Without proper testing, treatment becomes trial and error. Using supplements without knowing what your body lacks may not help — and sometimes, it can even delay recovery.
That’s why doctors recommend tests to reduce hair fall before starting any long-term treatment. These tests help pinpoint the cause, making treatment more effective and targeted.
Why this test matters
A Complete Blood Count (CBC) is often the first test advised for hair fall evaluation. It gives a broad overview of your overall health and helps detect conditions like anemia or infections that can directly affect hair growth.
Low hemoglobin levels mean reduced oxygen supply to hair follicles, which weakens them and leads to excessive shedding.
What it can detect
When it’s recommended
If you experience:
CBC is a basic yet extremely important test to diagnose hair fall.
Why this test matters
Ferritin reflects the iron stores in your body, not just iron levels in the blood. Even if your hemoglobin is normal, low ferritin can still cause hair loss.
Hair follicles are highly sensitive to low iron reserves. Many people, especially women, suffer from hair fall due to low ferritin levels without realizing it.
What it can detect
For healthy hair growth, ferritin levels should ideally be above 50–70 ng/mL (depending on clinical advice).
When it’s recommended
Among all tests to diagnose hair fall, ferritin is one that often gets overlooked but plays a big role.
Why this test matters
Your thyroid gland controls metabolism, including hair growth cycles. Both hypothyroidism (low thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (high thyroid) can cause hair thinning, dryness, and breakage.
Hair loss related to thyroid issues is usually diffuse, meaning hair falls evenly across the scalp rather than in patches.
What it can detect
When it’s recommended
Thyroid testing is one of the most crucial tests to diagnose hair fall, especially if hair loss is ongoing and unexplained.
Why this test matters
Vitamin D plays an important role in hair follicle cycling and regeneration. Low levels are commonly associated with hair thinning, weak strands, and slow regrowth.
Due to indoor lifestyles and limited sun exposure, Vitamin D deficiency is extremely common today, even in sunny regions.
What it can detect
When it’s recommended
Correcting Vitamin D deficiency often improves hair strength over time, although results may take a few months.
Why this test matters
Hormonal imbalance is a major cause of hair loss, particularly in women. Conditions like PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) can cause hair thinning, especially on the crown and front scalp.
Hormonal tests help evaluate androgens (male hormones), which, when elevated, can shrink hair follicles.
Common hormones tested
When it’s recommended
These tests to diagnose hair fall are critical when hair thinning follows a pattern or is accompanied by other hormonal symptoms.
Not necessarily. The exact set of tests depends on:
A doctor may start with basic tests like CBC and ferritin, and then suggest further investigations if required. Self-prescribing supplements without tests often leads to poor results, which many people face.
In some cases, especially when hair loss is severe or unusual, doctors may recommend:
These are usually done when blood tests don’t clearly explain the hair fall.
If abnormalities are found:
Hair growth is slow, so improvements are gradual. Patience is very important here, even though it can feel frustrating.
In many cases — yes.
Once the cause is identified through proper tests to diagnose hair fall, treatment becomes focused and effective. Nutritional deficiencies, thyroid disorders, and hormonal imbalances can be managed medically, leading to noticeable improvement in hair quality and density over time.
However, delaying diagnosis often leads to prolonged hair thinning, which becomes harder to reverse later.
Hair fall is not just a cosmetic issue — it’s often linked to your internal health. Instead of guessing or trying random remedies, getting the right tests to diagnose hair fall can save time, money, and stress.
Early diagnosis means better results, healthier hair, and peace of mind. If your hair fall has been persistent, sudden, or worsening, consider consulting a doctor and getting these essential tests done.
Because when it comes to hair, knowing the cause makes all the difference.