Alopecia laboratory findings: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Some causes of alopecia may present with abnormal laboratory findings. For example, [[thyroid stimulating hormone]] levels may be elevated in hypothyroidism. In syphilis, patients may have an elevated [[rapid plasma reagin]] level. Hence, laboratory investigations may help narrow down the cause of alopecia. | Some causes of alopecia may present with abnormal laboratory findings. For example, [[thyroid stimulating hormone]] levels may be elevated in [[hypothyroidism]]. In syphilis, patients may have an elevated [[rapid plasma reagin]] level. Hence, laboratory investigations may help narrow down the cause of alopecia. | ||
==Laboratory Findings== | ==Laboratory Findings== | ||
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The following laboratory tests can be completed in cases of a patient presenting with alopecia. | The following laboratory tests can be completed in cases of a patient presenting with alopecia. | ||
* [[Antinuclear antibodies]] ([[ANA]]) | * [[Antinuclear antibodies]] ([[ANA]]) which would be elevated in autoimmune diseases such as [[systemic lupus erythematosus]] | ||
* [[Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate]] ([[DHEA-S]]) | * [[Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate]] ([[DHEA-S]]) | ||
* [[Erythrocyte sedimentation rate]] ([[ESR]]) | * [[Erythrocyte sedimentation rate]] ([[ESR]]) which is an inflammatory marker | ||
* [[Iron]] studies | * [[Iron]] studies | ||
* [[Prolactin]] | * [[Prolactin]] | ||
* [[Rapid plasma reagin]] ([[RPR]]) | * [[Rapid plasma reagin]] ([[RPR]]) which may be seen in [[syphilis]] | ||
* [[Testosterone]] | * [[Testosterone]] | ||
* [[Thyroid function tests]] | * [[Thyroid function tests]] which would be abnormal in [[hypothyroidism]] | ||
* [[Viral culture|Viral]] and [[bacterial cultures]] | * [[Viral culture|Viral]] and [[bacterial cultures]] | ||
There are other tests available in cases in which there are other symptoms associated with alopecia. | There are other tests available in cases in which there are other symptoms associated with alopecia. | ||
* KOH prep if patchy alopecia with scaling or [[inflammation]] | * KOH prep if patchy alopecia with scaling or [[inflammation]]. This is used to investigate fungal causes of hair loss | ||
*[[Medical illness]] suspected: [[CBC]], [[TSH]], possibly [[ferritin]] | *[[Medical illness]] suspected: [[CBC]], [[TSH]], possibly [[ferritin]] | ||
*[[RPR]] if patchy or unexplained loss | *[[RPR]] if patchy or unexplained loss | ||
Revision as of 04:51, 30 December 2020
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Ogechukwu Hannah Nnabude, MD
Overview
Some causes of alopecia may present with abnormal laboratory findings. For example, thyroid stimulating hormone levels may be elevated in hypothyroidism. In syphilis, patients may have an elevated rapid plasma reagin level. Hence, laboratory investigations may help narrow down the cause of alopecia.
Laboratory Findings
Electrolyte and Biomarker Studies
The following laboratory tests can be completed in cases of a patient presenting with alopecia.
- Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) which would be elevated in autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus
- Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S)
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) which is an inflammatory marker
- Iron studies
- Prolactin
- Rapid plasma reagin (RPR) which may be seen in syphilis
- Testosterone
- Thyroid function tests which would be abnormal in hypothyroidism
- Viral and bacterial cultures
There are other tests available in cases in which there are other symptoms associated with alopecia.
- KOH prep if patchy alopecia with scaling or inflammation. This is used to investigate fungal causes of hair loss
- Medical illness suspected: CBC, TSH, possibly ferritin
- RPR if patchy or unexplained loss