Alopecia
Have you had a diagnosis of Alopecia, or after searching the web, are concerned you may have a form of Alopecia? Let the expert hair professionals at HPIHair assist you. Alopecia is usually determined by hair loss on parts of the body and head where hair should normally be. Located in the music city of Nashville, Tennessee, we have been offering solutions to those with Alopecia for over 25 years.
The confusion comes into play when you are diagnosed with a type of Alopecia that is either genetic or medical in nature. The first step is to determine the actual type of Alopecia you are experiencing. From there, our professional and experienced team will discuss your options and develop a customized plan for you.
Androgenic Alopecia is hair loss caused by a form of a genetic predisposition or a passing along of a hair loss gene. Whether from your mother’s or father’s side, the condition itself is not of a medical or immune conditioned response. The medical forms of Alopecia are commonly referred to as AA / Alopecia Areata, AT /Alopecia Totalis / AU / Alopecia Universalis. All three diagnoses are considered autoimmune conditions and are traumatic and can last a few months to a lifetime.
Alopecia
Alopecia Dx Blood Testing for Hair Loss
What’s in the AlopeciaDX Blood Test Panel?
In our lab panel, our Nashville hair loss experts are especially looking for underlying medical issues, along with vitamin and mineral deficiencies. More specifically we are looking for:
- Iron Deficiencies – Iron is essential for the production of hemoglobin. Low hemoglobin results in a reduction of oxygen, which healthy hair requires. When iron levels are low oxygen cannot be transferred for healthy hair.
- Thyroid Dysfunction – Disruption of the thyroid causes the hair growth cycle to remain in the resting phase, causing hair loss.
- Vitamin Deficiencies – Vitamins stimulate new growth in hair follicles. Without optimal levels, growth can be stunted.
- Mineral Deficiencies – Lack of certain minerals inhibit the hair’s ability to grow at a cellular level and affects the hair growth cycles. Certain minerals also help to strengthen the hair follicle.
- Gene Mutation – Certain gene mutations may play a vital role in the hair cycle of both growth and strength.
- Amino Acid – Amino acids are essential for healthy hair. These are especially important for the growth cycle and strength of hair.
Why choose HPIHair for your Alopecia testing?
Every medical condition affects each person in different ways. Hair loss is no different and may be the only symptom or one of many.
If hair loss is the sole complaint, you may be led to believe it’s simply your genetics. Genetics may indeed play a role, but genetics are not the singular factor contributing to or causing hair loss. Often times there are multiple variables playing a role in hair loss, and understanding the cause can be the difference between losing more hair or stopping it. With the AlopeciaDx testing, we have the technology, skill, and knowledge to help accurately diagnose factors leading to your hair thinning, shedding, and loss.
Personalized programs
Every client is helped individually by thinning hair experts with programs designed to fit her individual needs. As your anti-aging and hair care improves, our hair loss experts in Nashville adjust your program accordingly based on the results we see and your feedback for the most effective results.
Client service
Unmatched Customer Service: our professionals and certified thinning hair consultants are able to answer your questions on our Alopecia treatments in Nashville and offer advice based on your specific hair care concerns and needs.
Alopecia & AUTOIMMUNE CONDITIONS
Alopecia areata is considered an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system, which is designed to protect the body from foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria, mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, the structures from which hairs grow. This can lead to hair loss on the scalp and elsewhere.
In most cases, hair falls out in small, round patches about the size of a quarter. In many cases, the disease does not extend beyond a few bare patches. In some people, hair loss is more extensive. Although uncommon, the disease can progress to cause total loss of hair on the scalp (referred to as alopecia areata totalis) or complete loss of hair on the scalp, face, and body (alopecia areata universalis).
Alopecia Totalis is an autoimmune disorder which effectively turns your own immune system against your hair follicles. It results in total hair loss on the scalp, and can affect eyebrows and eyelashes. Alopecia Totalis can affect nails as well as hair, causing them to become thin, brittle and ridged. Beyond hair loss, Alopecia Totalis has no physical side effects. It does not induce pain or sickness and the quality of life for sufferers is generally not affected, except by the psychological implications that accompany any form of hair loss. The condition is not contagious, but is thought to have a genetic influence, so there is an increased chance that sons and daughters could face the same issues.
Alopecia Universalis (AU) is a condition characterized by the complete loss of hair on the scalp and body. It is an advanced form of alopecia areata, a condition that causes round patches of hair loss. Although the exact cause of AU is unknown, it is thought to be an autoimmune condition in which an affected person’s immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles. Roughly 20% of affected people have a family member with alopecia, suggesting that genetic factors may contribute to the development of AU.
Most people with AU do not have other signs and symptoms, but some may experience a burning sensation or itching in affected areas. In some cases, AU can be associated with other conditions such as atopic dermatitis, thyroid disorders, and/or nail changes. Additional information.
Blog Series: What is alopecia totalis?
As we discussed in our prior blog, “What is Alopecia Areata?”, September is Alopecia Awareness Month. Alopecia is a Latin term meaning “hair loss”, however there are four main types of alopecia: Androgenic Alopecia (AGA), Alopecia Areata (AA), Alopecia Totalis (AT), and Alopecia Universalis (AU). This month HPIHair will dive into the differences between these four types of alopecia.
Third on our list to discuss is Alopecia Totalis (AT). AT is a condition that causes complete loss of hair from the neck up. The exact cause of this condition is unknown…read more
