The Hair Loss Comprehensive Panel is a critical tool for aiding in the diagnosis and understanding of various conditions contributing to hair loss, including:

• Androgenetic Alopecia (Pattern Hair Loss): By evaluating key hormones like Testosterone and DHEA-Sulfate, this panel can shed light on hormonal predispositions, particularly the role of androgens in pattern baldness in both men and women.
• Telogen Effluvium: Often characterized by sudden, widespread hair shedding. This panel helps identify common triggers such as iron deficiency (even non-anemic iron deficiency), vitamin D insufficiency, thyroid dysfunction (hypo- or hyperthyroidism), and chronic stress (reflected by cortisol levels).
• Nutritional Deficiencies: Directly diagnoses iron deficiency anemia and vitamin D insufficiency, which are frequently overlooked but significant causes of hair fragility and loss.
• Thyroid Disorders: Identifies both overt and subclinical hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism through a comprehensive thyroid panel, as thyroid hormones are crucial for follicular health and hair cycle regulation.
• Hormonal Imbalances in Women: Helps in the workup of conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or perimenopausal changes, where imbalances in estradiol, progesterone, FSH, LH, and androgens can lead to hair thinning or hirsutism.
• Stress-Induced Hair Loss: While not a direct diagnosis, elevated morning cortisol levels can indicate chronic physiological stress, a known trigger for telogen effluvium.
• Syphilitic Alopecia: The inclusion of RPR and confirmation screens for syphilis, a treatable infection that can cause characteristic patchy hair loss in its secondary stage.
• Anemia: Through the CBC and iron studies, the panel can detect various types of anemia, which can significantly impact hair growth due to reduced oxygen delivery to hair follicles.

This comprehensive approach allows healthcare providers to identify single or co-existing factors, guiding a precise and effective treatment plan.