Are there any genetic tests for male pattern baldness?

Question

Jeff Rapaport, MD · Answer

The hair DX test is available for both men and women. It is a simple test involving a swab inside the mouth that is sent to the laboratory. It can predict in men and women with reasonably good accuracy the likelihood of developing an androgenic  hair loss. It evaluates some of the genes that are involved. Results are between 60 and 85% accurate. Combined with a good history and examination, it is a good method  to predict hair loss. You should work with a hair expert in planning future treatment. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Parsa Mohebi, MD, FISHRS · Answer

There is a genetic test for male patterned hair loss that came out a few years ago and some centers started to offer it to their patients.  The test had a very high rate of error.  That means that there was a likelihood that the test was positive without the person actually had hair loss condition.  Due to inacuracy of the test it is not as widely used. The best way to predict the future pattern of hair loss is the combination of your family pattern for hair loss and a microscopic evaluation of hair and scalp also known as miniaturization study.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

There are genetic tests, but they are not widely available any more. However, the most accurate evaluation and predication of hair loss in the present day and age is a careful history taken by an experienced clinician and a careful examination of the scalp.  You can't beat this. Let me give you an analogy. I have an apple on my table in my office right now. If I send you a photo you can try to predict when that fruit will go rotten. However, there's a good chance your prediction will be wrong. However, if you get ask me when I bought the apple,  whether I keep my office cool to prevent rotting of the apple, whether I took the apple out of the grocery bag or store it in there, what type of apple it actually is, where it came from, how soft it feels right now when you press on it .... you'll probably do a better job predicting when it will go rotten.Yes, we have genetic tests... but we also have vocal cords and eyes.  Nothing yet trumps the 40-50 questions I can ask to get a sense of balding risks and the ability to look up close and examine the scale. Nothing.The following questions are 'key' to ask when assessing the likelihood and degree of progression of male pattern balding:What age did the hair loss start?What is the current age of the patient?How much progression has occurred in 6 months?How much progression has occurred in 12 monthsHow much progression has occurred in 5 years (if hair loss started more than 5 years ago)?What medications are used by the patient? What has been the results?How much hair loss does the patent's father has?What age (if any) did the patient's father start balding?Does the patient's mother have hair loss?What are the hair loss patterns of both grandfathers?Are there any males in the extended family who have a Hamilton Norwood above level VI? If yes, how many?What medications does the patient take now?What mediations were used in the past ? (anabolic steroids, isotretinoin)?Is the patient a smoker?What is the patients' health?What sun exposure has the patient had over the years?Is the patient obese?Does the patient have high cholesterol?Does the patient have diabetes?Does the patient have high stress?The following items are key to evaluate when assessing the scalp in order to evaluate the likelihood and degree of progression of male pattern balding:What is the current position of the frontal hairline? How much has it changed since age 12?How much temporal recession due to balding (not hairline maturation) is there? How much has it changed since age 12?What change have occurred in the crown?What changes have occurred in the area in front of the ear (pre auricular area)?Is there hair loss in the back of the scalp (occipital area)? Is the pattern of hair loss best described as 'diffuse unpatterned alopecia (DUPA)?What percent of hairs are miniaturized in the frontal, mid scalp, crown and occipital scalp?What changes in miniaturization have occurred in the past 6, 12 and 18 months?Is their seborrheic dermatitis present in the scalp? What other scalp conditions are present?

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

The genetic test is called Hair Dx, and it is about 70% accurate. It is done on saliva. (see web reference below). A better test is the HAIRCHECK test which tells us exactly how much hair you are losing in different parts of the scalp. We use this routinely in our office along with miniaturization studies. If you come to our office or our open house on April 9th (free) you can not only get this test done but you can also meet former patients who had hair transplants done as well.like the men in the video below

Are there any genetic tests for male pattern baldness?

Answers (4)

Answer: Yes there is a diagnostic genetic test

Answer: Yes there is a diagnostic genetic test

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Everything you need to know about Hair Loss Treatment

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Are there any genetic tests for male pattern baldness?

Answers (4)

Answer: Yes there is a diagnostic genetic test

Answer: Yes there is a diagnostic genetic test

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Hair Loss Treatment

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.