Blood test and diagnosis before PRP treatment
Before any treatment, hair loss is first and foremost a medical question. At Kensington Clinic, assessment precedes care: our consulting doctors establish a thorough diagnosis combining a targeted blood test, clinical examination and review of your medical history before considering any PRP.
Our hair loss consultation London is designed for men facing established or early-stage baldness, as well as women experiencing shedding, thinning or loss of volume. The aim is not to offer a default treatment, but to understand what is happening and to determine whether PRP is genuinely the right option for you.
Blood tests and hair loss: how are they connected?
Hair loss rarely has a single cause. Clinically, it can stem from genetic predisposition, nutritional deficiency (iron, vitamin D, B12, zinc), hormonal imbalance (thyroid, sex hormones, post-partum, menopause), chronic stress or an underlying autoimmune condition.
A visual scalp examination is not enough to distinguish between these possibilities. At our London clinic, a hair loss blood test carried out as part of a comprehensive hair loss consultation makes it possible to measure the relevant markers objectively and guide management on the basis of evidence.
Three concrete benefits:
- Identify a reversible medical cause: a ferritin deficiency or a properly treated thyroid disorder can be enough to stop the shedding, without recourse to a regenerative treatment.
- Confirm PRP eligibility: certain blood parameters must fall within specific ranges for a PRP treatment to be safe and effective.
- Establish a baseline: initial values serve as a reference point for monitoring progress once management has begun.
Which blood markers are analysed to diagnose hair loss?
The exact panel depends on your clinical profile and the suspected cause, but a complete blood test for hair loss generally includes the following markers:
CATEGORY | MARKER | WHAT IT REVEALS |
Nutritional status | Ferritin | Iron stores; common deficiency in women, strongly associated with diffuse shedding |
Nutritional status | Full blood count and haemoglobin | Screening for anaemia |
Nutritional status | Vitamin D (25-OH) | Common deficiency in the UK |
Nutritional status | Vitamin B12 and folates | Cell renewal of hair follicles |
Nutritional status | Zinc | Key cofactor in keratinisation |
Hormonal status | TSH, free T3, free T4 | Screening for thyroid disorders, a classic cause of shedding |
Hormonal status | Testosterone, DHT, SHBG | Androgenetic alopecia in men and women |
Hormonal status | Oestradiol, progesterone, prolactin | Perimenopause, post-partum, irregular cycles |
Hormonal status | DHEA-S and cortisol | Adrenal axis, chronic stress, unexplained acute shedding |
Inflammation / autoimmunity | CRP, ESR | Systemic inflammatory state |
Inflammation / autoimmunity | Autoantibodies | Suspected alopecia areata or autoimmune hair conditions |
Pre-PRP markers | Platelet count | Minimum threshold for PRP to be technically feasible |
Pre-PRP markers | Coagulation panel (PT, APTT, INR) | Eligibility for the procedure |
Pre-PRP markers | HIV, HBV, HCV serology | Safety screening before any blood draw and reinjection |
Male pattern baldness: why a blood test is still useful before PRP
Androgenetic alopecia is by far the most common cause of hair loss in men. Genetically programmed and triggered by the sensitivity of hair follicles to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), it follows a recognisable pattern: a receding fronto-temporal hairline, thinning at the crown and sometimes a merging of the two areas.
Even in this scenario, a blood test before a hair PRP treatment remains relevant for three reasons:
- Confirm the diagnosis and rule out co-factors: vitamin D deficiency, undetected thyroid disorder, zinc deficiency or chronic oxidative stress can accelerate the progression of baldness. Correcting them in parallel with PRP significantly enhances the treatment’s effectiveness.
- Verify PRP eligibility: platelet count, haemoglobin, coagulation and serology must meet precise criteria for the treatment to be safe and viable.
- Refine the therapeutic approach: depending on the hormonal profile and the stage of baldness, PRP is not always the main option. A medication combination or a multi-modal approach may sometimes deliver better results.
Hair loss in women: a more complex diagnosis
In women, hair loss rarely follows as linear a trajectory as male pattern baldness. Possible causes are more numerous, often intertwined, and require a broader blood test to be properly disentangled.
The main causes investigated in women:
- Iron deficiency: the most common cause of diffuse shedding in young women or women of childbearing age. Ferritin should be measured systematically, even in the absence of overt anaemia.
- Thyroid disorders: both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism cause a characteristic shedding, sometimes accompanied by changes in hair texture.
- Post-partum hormonal imbalance: shedding typically appears between 2 and 6 months after childbirth and benefits from a targeted investigation.
- Perimenopause and menopause: declining oestrogen alters the balance between female hormones and androgens, sometimes triggering female pattern androgenetic alopecia.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): to be suspected in young women presenting with shedding, acne and menstrual irregularities.
- Chronic stress and telogen effluvium: a major life event can trigger massive shedding 2 to 3 months after the triggering factor.
- Nutritional deficiencies: vitamin D, B12, zinc, protein, particularly in women following restrictive diets.
At Kensington Clinic, the initial consultation combines a clinical scalp examination, a thorough patient history and prescription of a tailored blood test. If a hair PRP treatment proves relevant, it is then offered as a complement or alternative to the medical corrections identified (it is an adjuvant treatment, not a substitute for treating the underlying cause).
Summary table: profiles, markers and PRP indication
This table summarises the diagnostic profiles most frequently encountered in consultation, the priority blood markers associated with each, and the relevance of a PRP treatment according to context.
Profile | Main suspected causes | Priority blood markers | PRP indication |
Men 20–40 years | Early androgenetic alopecia, stress, deficiencies | Testosterone, DHT, ferritin, vitamin D, FBC | Often indicated |
Men 40+ | Established androgenetic alopecia, associated deficits | Testosterone, ferritin, TSH, vitamin D | Often indicated |
Women 20–40 years | Iron deficiency, thyroid disorder, PCOS | Ferritin, TSH, sex hormones, B12 | Depends on cause identified |
Post-partum women | Hormonal effluvium, post-pregnancy deficiencies | Ferritin, TSH, vitamin D | Often not indicated (spontaneous resolution common) |
Perimenopausal / menopausal women | Declining oestrogen, female pattern androgenetic alopecia | Oestradiol, FSH, testosterone, ferritin | Variable depending on profile |
Any profile with acute shedding | Chronic stress, medication, systemic illness | CRP, cortisol, FBC, thyroid panel | To be evaluated after addressing the cause |
This table is not intended to replace an individual medical assessment: it illustrates the logic of the diagnostic approach used at Kensington Clinic.
The pre-PRP blood test: safety, eligibility and treatment preparation
When the diagnosis confirms that a hair PRP treatment is relevant, a specific blood test is required before the first session. This pre-PRP blood test is not a simple formality: it ensures the safety of the procedure and conditions its technical success.
Parameters required before hair PRP:
- Platelet count: minimum threshold necessary to obtain a usable concentrate after centrifugation.
- Haemoglobin and haematocrit: quality of the blood sample and patient tolerance.
- Coagulation panel (PT, APTT, INR): essential before any invasive procedure involving multiple injections.
- HIV, HBV, HCV serology: required by safety protocols for any procedure involving blood draw and reinjection.
Inflammatory markers: ruling out an active infectious or inflammatory state.
Absolute contraindications identified by the blood test:
- Significant thrombocytopenia
- Uncontrolled coagulation disorder
- Active systemic infection
- Active untreated viral serology
- Progressive haematological condition
When all parameters are within range, PRP eligibility is confirmed and the treatment can be scheduled. If an abnormality is detected, the first step is to correct it: a PRP performed on an unprepared patient would be less effective, and potentially unsafe.
Hair loss consultation in London: how it works at Kensington Clinic
In London, the hair loss consultation we offer is organised in three stages:
1. Initial consultation (60 minutes)
Clinical scalp examination, detailed patient history (family history, life events, diet, current treatments), discussion of your expectations. At the end of the session, prescription of a personalised blood test tailored to your profile and the suspected causes.
2. Blood test
The sample can be taken on site or at the clinic's partner laboratory. The results are sent directly to your doctor within a few days.
3. Results consultation (45 minutes)
Detailed review of your results and a personalised management plan: nutritional or hormonal correction, medical treatment (in collaboration with a dermatologist or endocrinologist if needed), hair PRP treatment, or a combination of approaches.
Several of our doctors consult in French and English, which facilitates technical discussion of your results and ensures a precise understanding of every parameter, particularly for patients from London’s French-speaking community.
How much does a hair loss consultation in London cost at Kensington Clinic?
Detailed fees are provided when you book your appointment, and a comprehensive diagnostic package can be offered depending on your situation. For a personalised quote or any question about your care plan, our team can be reached directly by phone or email.
Booking conditions: a prepayment is required when booking your appointment; the balance is settled on the day of the consultation.
Cancellation policy:
- More than 72 hours in advance: full refund
- Between 48 and 72 hours: prepayment retained
- Less than 48 hours: full fee charged
Some private health insurance providers may cover all or part of a diagnostic consultation and blood test carried out on medical indication.
Book your hair loss consultation London
Kensington Clinic is located at 2 North Terrace, London SW3 2BA, 6 minutes’ walk from South Kensington station and 8 minutes from Knightsbridge. We welcome patients from Greater London and from around the world, in both French and English.
To book your hair loss consultation London, contact us:
- Phone: 020 7589 9321
- Email: contact@lamaisonmedicale.co.uk
- Online booking: via our appointment system
FAQ
Which deficiency causes hair loss?
Several nutritional deficiencies are regularly identified as triggers or aggravating factors in hair loss.
The most common observed in consultation:
- Iron (ferritin): the most common deficiency, particularly in women of childbearing age.
- Vitamin D: a common deficiency in the UK, with a direct effect on the hair growth cycle.
- Vitamin B12 and folates: essential for cell renewal of hair follicles.
- Zinc: a key cofactor in keratinisation.
- Protein intake: restrictive diets or unbalanced nutrition.
A single deficiency rarely causes shedding on its own; it is most often the combination of several factors. Only a blood test can identify them precisely.
Can stress cause hair loss visible on a blood test?
Yes, indirectly. Chronic stress leaves measurable biological traces and frequently triggers hair shedding.
Several signals may appear on the blood test:
- Elevated cortisol and disruption of the adrenal axis (DHEA-S).
- Raised inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR).
- Possible secondary thyroid dysregulation.
- Telogen effluvium: massive, diffuse shedding, typically 2 to 3 months after the triggering factor.
The blood test does not diagnose stress itself, but it identifies its measurable biological consequences and guides management on the basis of concrete parameters.
Is a blood test enough to diagnose hair loss?
No. A blood test is an essential tool, but it must be combined with other diagnostic pillars:
- Clinical scalp examination (sometimes complemented by trichoscopy).
- Detailed patient history: background, life events, treatments, dietary habits.
- Targeted blood test tailored to the clinical profile.
This three-pronged approach distinguishes a medical consultation from a simple online screening or an evaluation in an aesthetic salon.
Kensington International Clinic, private healthcare in the heart of London, delivered by leading French and international practitioners.
