When to go
The HSE's list is short. See a GP if you:
- have areas of hair loss that are itchy or sore
- are losing hair in clumps
- have sudden hair loss
- are worried about your hair loss
Slow pattern hair loss with a normal scalp isn't urgent, but a GP visit before you spend money at a clinic is still worth it. The HSE's page is here.
What the GP asks
- When it started, and how fast it's moving
- Illness, surgery, a baby, weight loss or stress in the months before
- Your medicines and supplements
- Periods, acne or extra hair growth, for women
- Hair loss, thyroid or autoimmune conditions in the family
- Your hairstyle and what you put on your hair
The blood tests
| Test | What it looks for |
|---|---|
| Full blood count | Anaemia |
| Ferritin | Iron stores, which can be low before anaemia shows |
| Thyroid function (TSH) | An overactive or underactive thyroid |
| Hormones, in some women | Signs of polycystic ovaries or other hormone problems |
| Others, if your history points to them | Vitamin D, B12, coeliac or autoimmune screens |
Men with typical pattern hair loss often need no tests at all.
How to get the most from the visit
- Book a full appointment for it. Don't raise it at the end of a visit about something else.
- Write down when it started and what happened in the three months before.
- Bring every medicine and supplement you take, including the pill and anything bought online.
- Don't wash or style your hair specially: the GP wants to see it as it is.
- Say how it is affecting you. The HSE lists being worried about your hair loss as a reason to see a GP.
Referral
A GP refers you to a dermatologist if the diagnosis is unclear, if scarring is possible, or if alopecia areata is widespread. Public dermatology waiting lists are long; a private appointment is an option, and you can ask the fee when you book.
Questions people ask
What blood tests should I get for hair loss?
A full blood count, ferritin and thyroid function cover the common causes. Your GP adds others if your history suggests them.
Can a GP prescribe hair loss treatment?
Yes. A GP can prescribe finasteride for men and treat scalp conditions, and can refer you on.
Should I see a GP or a trichologist?
A GP first: only a doctor can order blood tests and prescribe. A trichologist studies hair and the scalp but is not a medical doctor and can't prescribe. The title isn't protected in Ireland, so ask where they trained and which professional body they belong to.
Will my GP take hair loss seriously?
They should. Hair loss can be the first sign of a treatable condition, and the HSE advises seeing a GP if you're worried about it.