Female Hormone Panel - Hair Loss and Early Graying

The doctor ordered the Female Hormone Panel (FHP) to see if ovarian hormones could be related to the patient's hair loss and early graying of her hair. The patient also had cold hands much of the time.

We also often use the Male Hormone Panel (MHP) to address hair loss problems. However, the FHP does give us valuable information beyond just mapping the female cycle.

What the test showed was near-ideal estradiol, low DHEA, and borderline low testosterone. Progesterone was low normal for eight of eleven samples, but very high on the other three non-consecutive samples.

Those progesterone spikes were highly suspicious of current progesterone exposure. Or they could be the artifacts of past transdermal progesterone use. I have seen many test results on patients where stored progesterone is released in sporadic bursts for several months after the person stopped using the product.

Low DHEA could be a sign of low adrenal function. Early graying could be a sign of poor digestive function. Hair loss and cold hands could indicate poor thyroid function. Hair loss could result from too much dihydrotestosterone, even in women. So the doctor may consider ordering additional tests: the Adrenal Stress Index, the Expanded Gastrointestinal Health Panel, the Short Thyroid Panel, or the Male Hormone Panel.

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