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Common Diagnostic Trichology Tests Your Hair Specialist Will Perform
Paru Shukla
Medically reviewed by
Paru Shukla
Updated on August 29, 2023

When you’re looking for hair loss prevention or hair restoration treatments, you’ll need to discuss your condition with a trichologist. A trichologist needs to conduct some routine trichology tests to establish the cause of your hair loss. This can then help them evaluate and apply the correct cause of treatment.

Here, we take a look at some of the common questions and trichology tests you will go through with your trichologist, in order to leave you better prepared for your first appointment.

Table of Contents

What is a trichologist?

A trichologist is a medical specialist who specialises in establishing and treating diseases of the hair and scalp. All reputable hair restoration clinics should work with experienced trichologists who can diagnose hair and scalp conditions and recommend the best course of action.

Questions your tricologist will ask you about your medical history

It is essential you provide your trichologist with an overview of your medical history, as a previous condition may be contributing to your hair loss or scalp condition. Family history and genetics may also have a part to play. The more information you are able to give, the easier it will be for your trichologist to establish and treat the cause of your hair loss and discomfort.

Questions about diet

Not eating a well-balanced diet can often dramatically affect hair growth and condition. A lack of vitamins, iron, zinc, and folic acid will stunt hair growth. Your hair is the last point of your body to get nutrients, as your internal organs will receive the nutrients first. So ensuring you have a good amount in your system means your hair will get some too!

How stressed are you?

Stress is one of the most common causes of alopecia (dramatic hair loss). This is especially true if your stress is due to a major life event or trauma. Letting your trichologist know of any major stressors you’ve recently been exposed to will help them evaluate why you are experiencing hair loss.

Lifestyle questions

This is a combination of your diet, sleep habits, and whether you consume alcohol or smoke. Like any health check, letting your trichologist know all the details means they can provide you with the correct treatment.

What’s your hair care routine?

Having a good hair care routine and treating your hair gently works wonders. Your trichologist needs to know how you currently care for your hair, including regular treatments or styling. This will enable them to advise you on ways to improve your hair quality and scalp condition at home, helping to prevent damage.

Blood trichology tests

Blood gives a lot of information about what is going on in your body. Crucial blood tests may determine what is causing your scalp discomfort and hair loss.

Hair loss blood tests look at your iron levels (including ferritin, and iron stores), your red and white blood cells, minerals and vitamins, folic acid, and your thyroid. Blood tests will also be performed regularly throughout your course of treatment to ensure that the medication or other treatment prescribed is working effectively.

You can request blood tests from your GP. A GP will read the tests differently from a trichologist. What appears normal and healthy to a GP may not to a trichologist, who is looking for specific hair loss-related markers. A trichologist can read into the results to find out what is causing your hair loss.

Hormone trichology tests

Your trichologist will also occasionally run hormonal tests. Pattern baldness (and some other types of hair loss) is caused by elevated levels of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). That means hormone tests can also establish a reason for your hair loss.

Examination of the hair and scalp

Your trichologist and their assistant will take time (usually around 40-50 minutes) to thoroughly examine your hair and scalp. This initial consultation helps your trichologist ascertain scalp conditions and possible irritations and analyse what may be causing your hair loss or scalp issues. Your hair can provide your trichologist with many tell-tell signs of underlying conditions contributing to hair loss.

Find out the cause of your hair loss by booking a consultation today.

Booking a consultation to discuss your hair loss can feel like a big step to take. If you’re considering a hair transplant, make sure you’re prepared for your consultation by finding out what to expect at your first hair transplant consultation.

Our trichologists are always ready to answer your hair loss questions, so make an appointment with our trichology team.


Common Diagnostic Trichology Tests Your Hair Specialist Will Perform, Wimpole Clinic

Paru Shukla
Medically reviewed by Paru ShuklaUpdated on August 29, 2023
The Wimpole Clinic offers FUE Hair, Beard & Eyebrow Transplants & Trichology.
Talk to a specialist ☎ 020 7935 1861.

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