Targeted Blood Testing
Look beyond what we can see.
Hair and skin changes can sometimes occur alongside nutritional, metabolic or hormonal factors.
Where appropriate, Novaé can use targeted blood testing alongside consultation and clinical assessment to provide additional information and identify results that may warrant attention or medical follow-up.
Targeted testing. Relevant information. Clear next steps.
The markers
What we may consider
The purpose is not to test everything. Markers are selected according to your answers, history and assessment.
Iron stores
Ferritin
What it tells us
Ferritin reflects the body's stored iron.
Why we may look at it
Iron status can be relevant when investigating some presentations of hair shedding.
What happens next
Results are considered alongside your history and assessment, with medical follow-up recommended where appropriate.
Nutritional marker
Vitamin D
What it tells us
Vitamin D status, a nutritional marker relevant to general health.
Why we may look at it
May be relevant when assessing overall hair and skin health, particularly alongside dietary or lifestyle factors.
What happens next
Any result outside the expected range is explained plainly and discussed, with referral recommended where appropriate.
Nutritional marker
Vitamin B12
What it tells us
Circulating vitamin B12, a nutritional marker.
Why we may look at it
May be considered depending on symptoms, history and dietary intake.
What happens next
Results are read alongside your consultation, and medical follow-up is recommended where indicated.
Metabolic marker
HbA1c
What it tells us
Average blood glucose levels over recent months.
Why we may look at it
May be relevant when looking at wider metabolic health alongside hair and skin concerns.
What happens next
Where a result may warrant attention, we explain what it means and recommend medical follow-up.
Where available and appropriate, additional thyroid-related testing such as TSH may also be discussed at your assessment.
Questions
Understanding testing
Hair and skin changes can sometimes occur alongside nutritional, metabolic or hormonal factors. Targeted testing may help identify factors worth exploring, used alongside your consultation and clinical assessment.
Commonly considered markers include ferritin, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and HbA1c. Additional thyroid-related testing such as TSH may be discussed where available and appropriate.
No. Testing is targeted and selected according to the individual. Many pathways proceed without it. It is suggested only where your answers, history and assessment make internal factors worth exploring.
Relevant results are explained clearly and considered alongside your assessment. Where a result may warrant medical attention, we recommend appropriate referral rather than treating it at Novaé.
No. Testing provides additional information. It does not diagnose the cause of hair loss or a skin concern, and results are always read in the context of your consultation.
Testing provides additional information only. It does not diagnose the cause of a hair or skin concern, and relevant results may be discussed with referral recommended where appropriate.