Exams and Tests

Physicians diagnose hair loss by looking at hair amount and hair distribution. Men usually lose hair in an easily recognized pattern. Women usually have about equal hair loss from all parts of the scalp.

• Charts with pictures of hair loss help to classify the amount and type of hair loss. These include the Hamilton and Ludwig classification charts.
  
  
  • Extra tests usually are not needed unless the diagnosis is uncertain.
    
    
  • You can do a pull test, examining the pulled hair for different thickness and length.
  
  
• Different thickness and length confirm the most common type of hair loss, androgenic alopecia.
  
  
• Skin problems leading to hair loss may be diagnosed by taking a sample of skin and hair from the affected area. A doctor looking at this under a microscope might find skin irritation or infection as the cause.
  
  
• If hair loss is severe or other signs of illness are present, many tests might be used, including x-rays and blood tests.