I went to a dermatologist for a consultation before getting a Finasteride prescription. He recommended that I'd take a comprehensive blood test to check the levels of minerals, vitamins and hormones (testosterone, DHEA-S, prolactin).
I called him when I got the results, which were all within the normal range, and he said that the next step in the diagnosis is microscopical hair analysis, done by him at his clinic.
Now unlike the blood test and the normal doctor's visits, this test isn't covered by my country's universal health insurance, and the Dermatologist asks for $400 for it.
Since I never heard of this test I thought it's a bit unusual. I looked it up online but didn't find much beyond a few promotional articles from hair clinics and a few obscure scientific articles. I also asked the Dermatologist about it over the phone but he was very brief and not informative.
So I'm wondering if anyone has gone through this test as part of their attempt to treat hair loss or knows anything about this Microscopic hair test. Is my dermatologist just being thorough?
For context: I'm in my early thirties, and have been gradually losing hair above the temples and a bit in the crown. I'm probably at NW2, and most of my hair is still quite thick.
I called him when I got the results, which were all within the normal range, and he said that the next step in the diagnosis is microscopical hair analysis, done by him at his clinic.
Now unlike the blood test and the normal doctor's visits, this test isn't covered by my country's universal health insurance, and the Dermatologist asks for $400 for it.
Since I never heard of this test I thought it's a bit unusual. I looked it up online but didn't find much beyond a few promotional articles from hair clinics and a few obscure scientific articles. I also asked the Dermatologist about it over the phone but he was very brief and not informative.
So I'm wondering if anyone has gone through this test as part of their attempt to treat hair loss or knows anything about this Microscopic hair test. Is my dermatologist just being thorough?
For context: I'm in my early thirties, and have been gradually losing hair above the temples and a bit in the crown. I'm probably at NW2, and most of my hair is still quite thick.