Male Hair Loss Profile

ALT is an enzyme found mainly in the liver. Raised levels can occur when liver cells are irritated or damaged, so ALT is commonly used as part of a liver-function assessment.

Albumin is a protein made by the liver that helps keep fluid within the bloodstream and transports hormones, vitamins and medicines. Abnormal levels can be associated with liver disease, kidney disease, inflammation or poor nutritional status.

ALP is an enzyme found particularly in the liver and bones. Abnormal levels can be associated with liver or bile-duct problems, altered bone activity and several other conditions.

AST is an enzyme found in the liver, heart and skeletal muscle. It can rise with liver injury or muscle damage and is usually interpreted with other liver and muscle markers.

GGT is an enzyme found mainly in the liver and bile ducts. It can increase with liver or biliary problems and may also be affected by alcohol and some medicines.

Globulins are a group of blood proteins involved in immune function and transport. Abnormal levels can be seen with inflammation, infection, immune disorders and some liver or kidney conditions.

Bilirubin is produced when red blood cells are broken down and is processed by the liver. Raised bilirubin can occur with liver or bile-duct problems or increased red-cell breakdown.

Total protein measures the combined amount of albumin and globulin in the blood. It provides an overview of major circulating proteins and can support assessment of liver, kidney, nutritional and immune health.

Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands and involved in stress response, metabolism, blood pressure and immune regulation. Levels vary during the day and are interpreted in relation to sampling time and clinical context.

DHEA-S is an androgen-related hormone produced mainly by the adrenal glands. It acts as a precursor for other sex hormones and can help assess adrenal and androgen activity.

FSH is produced by the pituitary gland and plays a central role in ovarian follicle development and sperm production. Levels are used in fertility assessment and when investigating ovarian, testicular or menopausal function.

The free androgen index is a calculation based on total testosterone and SHBG. It provides an estimate of biologically available androgen activity and is often used when investigating androgen excess or deficiency.

Calculated free testosterone estimates the fraction of testosterone not tightly bound to proteins and therefore more readily available to tissues. It is calculated using total testosterone together with binding proteins such as SHBG and albumin.

LH is a pituitary hormone involved in ovulation in women and testosterone production in men. It is commonly assessed as part of fertility and reproductive-hormone testing.

Oestradiol is the main circulating oestrogen during the reproductive years. It is involved in the menstrual cycle, fertility, bone health and sexual function and is interpreted alongside other reproductive hormones.

Prolactin is produced by the pituitary gland and is best known for its role in breast-milk production. Abnormally high levels can affect periods, fertility, libido and testosterone production.

SHBG is a protein made mainly by the liver that binds sex hormones, including testosterone and oestradiol. Its level affects how much hormone is available to tissues and is useful when interpreting total testosterone.

Testosterone is an androgen hormone involved in sexual function, fertility, muscle mass, bone health and energy. Levels vary with age, sex and time of day and are interpreted alongside symptoms and other hormone results.

Creatinine is a waste product generated by normal muscle metabolism and removed by the kidneys. Blood creatinine is used to help assess kidney filtration and calculate eGFR.

eGFR estimates how effectively the kidneys are filtering blood, usually using creatinine together with age and sex. A persistently reduced eGFR can indicate impaired kidney function and may need further assessment.

Urea is a waste product formed when the body breaks down protein and is removed mainly by the kidneys. Levels can be influenced by kidney function, hydration and protein intake.

Ferritin is the main storage protein for iron and is commonly used to estimate the body’s iron stores. It can also rise during inflammation, so results are interpreted alongside other iron markers and clinical context.

Folate is required for DNA synthesis, cell division and normal red-blood-cell production. Deficiency can contribute to anaemia and is especially important during pregnancy because of its role in fetal neural-tube development.

Vitamin B12 is required for normal red-blood-cell formation, DNA synthesis and nervous-system function. Deficiency can cause anaemia and neurological symptoms and is more common with reduced dietary intake or impaired absorption.

Vitamin D is important for calcium regulation, bone and muscle health and normal immune function. Low levels are common in the UK, particularly after winter or in people with limited sun exposure.

Free T4 measures the unbound form of thyroxine, one of the main hormones produced by the thyroid gland. It is interpreted with TSH to assess thyroid function.

TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and signals the thyroid to make thyroid hormones. It is one of the main markers used to assess whether the thyroid is underactive or overactive.

Haematocrit is the proportion of blood volume made up of red blood cells. Low values can occur with anaemia, while high values may be seen with dehydration or increased red-cell production.

Haemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein inside red blood cells. Measuring it is central to identifying anaemia and other disorders that affect the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.

MCHC shows the average concentration of haemoglobin within red blood cells. It helps classify different patterns of anaemia.

MCH measures the average amount of haemoglobin in each red blood cell. It is used with other red-cell indices to help classify anaemia.

MCV measures the average size of red blood cells. Small or large red cells can point toward different causes of anaemia and nutritional deficiency.

MPV reflects the average size of platelets in the blood. It can provide additional information about platelet production and turnover when interpreted with the platelet count.

Platelets are blood cells involved in clot formation. Too few can increase bleeding risk, while very high counts can be associated with inflammation or an increased tendency to clot.

The red cell count measures the number of red blood cells in a given volume of blood. It is interpreted with haemoglobin, haematocrit and red-cell indices when assessing anaemia or increased red-cell production.

RDW measures how much red blood cells vary in size. Increased variation can help distinguish between different causes of anaemia and nutritional deficiency.

The white cell count measures the total number of white blood cells, which form an important part of the immune system. Levels can change with infection, inflammation, bone-marrow conditions and some medicines.

Zinc is an essential mineral involved in immune function, wound healing, DNA synthesis, fertility and normal hair and skin health. Low levels can be associated with poor intake, impaired absorption or increased requirements.