The Best Lab Test for Hormonal Hair Loss (and What It Reveals About Your Health)
Updated 05/06/2025
When people talk about hormonal hair loss, they’re often referring to something called androgenic alopecia. That’s just a more clinical way to describe hair thinning or loss sometimes linked to higher levels of androgens—particularly a potent hormone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which is a metabolite of testosterone.
When androgen levels are elevated or imbalanced, DHT can bind to receptors at the base of hair follicles and send a signal that it’s time for those follicles to enter their “rest phase.” Translation: hair stops growing and starts thinning.
But Why Is This Happening?
Maybe you’ve recently been told that your androgen levels are high. Or perhaps you've been diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), a common cause of hormonal imbalance. You might be wondering, “Why is this happening to me?” or “How do I lower my androgens, like, yesterday?”
If you’ve been around here for a while, you’ve probably heard me say: To truly heal something, we need to understand how it broke in the first place. That’s my version of “the only way out is through,” and it applies so well when we’re talking about hormone symptoms.
Whether you’re navigating hair loss, acne, irregular cycles, fatigue, or mood swings—it's important to ask: What’s the root cause behind these symptoms? And how did I get here?
Often, the answer lies in one (or more) of the five foundations of hormone health:
💡 Nutrition
💡 Detoxification
💡 Movement
💡 Stress
💡 Sleep
When something feels “off,” it’s usually because one or more of these areas has been out of sync for a while.
My Favorite Root-Cause Test for Hormonal Hair Loss
It’s not testosterone. It’s not DHT. And it’s not even an androgenic hormone at all.
It’s fasting insulin.
Here’s why: Insulin is a hormone your body uses to help shuttle glucose (sugar) from your bloodstream into your cells, where it’s used for energy. Ideally, we want to be insulin-sensitive—meaning a small amount of insulin gets the job done efficiently.
But when we become insulin resistant, the body has to pump out more and more insulin to get glucose into the cells. Over time, this increased demand can lead to chronically elevated insulin levels.
That’s a problem, because insulin plays a big role in hormone production, including nudging your body to make more androgens. And when androgens go up, so can symptoms like hair loss, acne, or irregular cycles.
Insulin + Hormones: What’s the Connection?
When insulin levels are high, it can shift your body’s hormone production toward the androgen pathway. Think of insulin as stepping on the gas pedal of this hormonal process, accelerating androgen output. For folks already sensitive to androgens, this can amplify unwanted symptoms.
This is why managing blood sugar and supporting insulin sensitivity is such a core part of hormone health—whether or not hair loss is part of your story.
If your hormones feel “off,” it might be worth asking your healthcare provider to test your fasting insulin level. This simple test can provide insight into how metabolism and hormones interact.
Symptoms as Signals (Not Failures)
Whether you’re dealing with hair loss, stubborn breakouts, cycle changes, or general fatigue—remember this: Symptoms are your body’s way of asking for attention. They are clues, not judgments.
Hormonal imbalances don’t happen in a vacuum. There’s almost always a root cause—and often, when we dig into the foundations of health (food, movement, stress, rest, and detoxification), we start to see where support is needed.
The good news? These are all areas we can gently shift, support, and nurture. You don’t have to do it alone—and your body is absolutely capable of healing.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet or lifestyle. Some content may have been created or refined with the help of AI and is reviewed by a qualified nutrition professional.