Why You Might Be Losing Hair – and Why Basic Blood Tests Matter

inkworksstudionz
2 hours ago
5 min read

The truth is, our hair is often a "barometer" for our overall health. Because hair isn't essential for survival, your body is quick to redirect nutrients away from your follicles and toward your vital organs whenever something is slightly out of balance.

This is why diagnoising the cause of hair loss is so important and why a simple set of blood tests is often the first step on the road to recovery.

I see a lot of clients who are struggling to understand the cause of their thinning, and understanding this is incredibly helpful for making the best recommendation for you. According to DermNet NZ, hair loss (alopecia) isn’t just one single condition.

Identifying which category you fall into changes everything about what treatment we might guide you too.

The 6 Main Categories of Hair Loss

Broadly, hair loss is triggered by:

Genetic Predisposition: The most common type (pattern hair loss), driven by your DNA and hormones like DHT.
Nutritional Deficiencies: If your “tank” is low on iron, B12, or Vitamin D, your follicles simply don’t have the fuel they need to grow.
Hormonal Imbalances: Your thyroid and sex hormones act like a “control centre” for your hair cycle. If they’re off, shedding often follows.
Medical Conditions: Underlying issues like diabetes (checked via HbA1c) or high cholesterol can impact circulation and hair health.
Physical or Psychological Stress: Major surgery, illness, or intense stress can “shock” hairs into a shedding phase (Telogen Effluvium) a few months later.
Medication-Induced: Certain drugs can unfortunately trigger thinning as a side effect
.

Recommended Course of Action: Your Journey to Diagnosis

To help you on your journey to a diagnosis, I recommend a proactive approach. The goal is to rule out “silent” triggers so we can stop the guesswork and start a plan that actually works for you.

Many types of hair shedding are temporary and reversible once the underlying issue like a vitamin deficiency or a thyroid imbalance is corrected. Even with genetic thinning, catching it early and optimising your internal health makes a massive difference in your long-term results.

I wonderful hair transplant team at The Auckland Clinic have supplied me with the following detailed information. When you see your GP or specialist, here is the "Blood Test Checklist" to assess potential underlying causes:

The Blood Test Checklist

If you are currently taking a high-dose Biotin supplement, please stop taking it 3–5 days before your blood tests. Biotin can interfere with lab technology, leading to inaccurate thyroid and hormone results.

1. The Essentials for Growth

Full Blood Count (FBC): To check for anaemia or signs of infection.
Iron Levels (including Ferritin): Ferritin is your iron storage; if this is low, hair thinning is very common.
Vitamin D, B12, & Folate: These are the “building blocks” for healthy hair cells.
Zinc: Essential for scalp health and hair tissue growth.
Calcium & Magnesium: Essential minerals for your body’s enzyme functions.

2. The Hormonal & Metabolic Drivers

Thyroid Function (TSH, T3, T4): Both under active and overactive thyroids are classic culprits for hair loss.
Sex Hormones: Testosterone, Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), Oestrogen, Progesterone, LH, and FSH.
HbA1c & Random Glucose: To screen for diabetes or pre-diabetes, which can affect hair quality.
Lipid Profile: Checking your cholesterol and triglycerides.

3. Vital Organ Support

Kidney Function (eGFR, Urea, Electrolytes): Ensuring your body is filtering and balancing fluids correctly.
Liver Function Tests: To ensure your metabolism is processing hormones and nutrients efficiently.

Free downloadable: Topical / Oral recommendations and bloods for your GP:

Hair Loss Treatments to Explore:

Once we have your blood results and a clearer picture of the cause, we can look at the best treatment path.

It is important to understand the "Window of Opportunity": Hair follicles that have been inactive for more than 2–5 years often reach a point of "biological sleep" where they can no longer be revived by non-surgical means.

Here is how the common treatments compare:

1. Topical Treatments (e.g., Minoxidil, Serums)

Best for: Early thinning and active follicles.

Success Note: Don't be alarmed by the "Dread Shed." You may notice a slight increase in shedding in the first 2–4 weeks; this is a sign the follicles are "resetting" to grow stronger hair.

When it won't help: If the scalp is shiny and smooth with no visible "baby" hairs.

2. Oral Treatments (e.g., Kiri10, Supplements)

Best for: Beginning stages of thinning and nutritional gaps.

Success Note: Kiri10 is a great option if you are in the beginning stages to provide the specific nutrients your hair needs to stay in the growth phase. I have trialled this myself with great results. For 15% off use INKWORKS15 at the check out kiri10.com

When it won't help: If follicles are structurally dead or absent.

3. Paramedical Skin Needling

Best for: Stimulating dormant follicles and enhancing topical absorption.

Success Note: Works well when there are still living follicles, and as yearly or bi-yearly maintenance for thicker hair. Click here for pricing.

When it won't help: If you have had zero response to topical or oral treatments after 6 months, it is likely the follicles are too dormant for needling to be effective.

4. PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)

Best for: Moderate thinning and active regrowth.

Success Note: Can lead to a 30–40% increase in density in good candidates.

When it won't help: PRP cannot revive dead follicles. If the area has been bald for years, PRP is unlikely to produce a result.

5. SMP (Scalp Micropigmentation)

Best for: Filling in thinning crowns or widening parts.

Success Note: 100% cosmetic success rate. It creates the immediate illusion of density. It suits total balding, and anyone with thinning. Read more here.

When it won't help: SMP does not regrow hair; it is a visual solution for when follicles are lost. If you continue to have hair loss, SMP will need to be topped up to fill in areas.

6. Hair Transplant

Best for: Significant loss and permanent restoration.

Success Note: The highest success rate for restoring hair to areas that are completely bald. My recommendation for an NZ Clinic is The Auckland Clinic.

When it won't help: If you have poor donor hair or unstable, rapidly progressing loss.

How to Choose the Right Path

A realistic way to think about treatments is like a step-ladder:

Start with Diagnosis: Blood tests + Scalp exam.
First Line: Topical + Oral treatments.
The "Response" Rule: If you have zero response to topicals or orals, it is likely the follicles are too dormant for Skin Needling or PRP.
The Solution: In these cases, SMP or a Hair Transplant are your better, more reliable options for a visible result.

Final Thoughts

If you’re concerned about thinning, my suggestion is to take the time to see if you can get a diagnosis. This avoids jumping to solutions that aren't going to be successful.

It’s the most compassionate thing you can do for yourself and your hair. Once we have the data, we can make the best recommendation for your specific needs.