Why do men lose hair?

Up to 80% of cases are androgenetic alopecia (male-pattern baldness): a hereditary sensitivity of follicles to the hormone DHT, which makes hair miniaturize in a 'pattern' (temples, crown). The rest are reversible causes: iron, zinc, vitamin D deficiency, thyroid disease, stress. To tell them apart, a hair loss panel is taken.

Does high testosterone cause baldness?

Not directly. Male-pattern baldness is linked not to the testosterone level but to the genetic sensitivity of follicles to its derivative — DHT (dihydrotestosterone). So men with normal or even low testosterone can go bald if their follicles are sensitive. The hormonal background can be assessed by testosterone and related tests if desired.

What actually helps with baldness in men?

The evidence base: minoxidil (topical), finasteride (oral, prescription, blocks DHT), and their combination is more effective than monotherapy per meta-analyses; for marked loss — a hair transplant. Folk sprays and oils are unproven. It is better to start treatment early, while follicles are alive, and to manage it with a trichologist.

Which tests should a man take for hair loss?

To separate androgenetic alopecia from reversible causes: ferritin and iron, TSH, vitamin D, and testosterone when indicated. It is convenient to order them together — the hair loss panel. The results show whether deficiency correction, thyroid treatment, or it is androgenetic shedding needing minoxidil/finasteride.

Do vitamins help with baldness in men?

Only if there is a deficiency they replace (iron, vitamin D, zinc). For androgenetic alopecia, vitamins will not stop the process — minoxidil and/or finasteride are needed. Which nutrients really matter for hair and what is overrated (for example, biotin) is in vitamins for hair.

Hair Loss in Men: Causes, Tests and Treatment Options

DermatologyJune 26, 2026

Reviewed by the LabReadAI medical team

Hair Loss in Men: Causes, Tests and Treatment Options

Baldness in men is a common and emotionally difficult topic surrounded by pseudo-remedies. The good news: the main cause is well studied, and some other causes are reversible. Let's break down why men lose hair, what DHT has to do with it, which tests to take, and what treatment actually works.

Normal Shedding and When to Worry

Losing 50–100 hairs a day is normal. The warning sign is thinning in specific zones (a receding hairline at the temples, the crown), a shifting hairline, or a sharply increased diffuse shedding. Male-pattern baldness usually follows a "pattern" (temples + crown), unlike the even thinning in women.

Androgenetic Alopecia — the Main Cause

Up to 80% of male baldness is androgenetic alopecia (male-pattern baldness): a hereditary sensitivity of hair follicles to androgens. Follicles gradually "miniaturize" — hair becomes thinner, shorter, and eventually stops growing. It is not a disease but a genetic trait, yet its progression can be slowed.

What DHT and Testosterone Have to Do With It

The key hormone here is not testosterone itself but its derivative DHT (dihydrotestosterone), formed by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. Sensitive follicles miniaturize under DHT. Importantly: high testosterone does not mean baldness — it is about the genetic sensitivity of follicles. If the hormonal background concerns you, start with testosterone and related tests; a general review is in how to increase testosterone.

Other Causes (Deficiencies, Thyroid, Stress)

Not all shedding is androgenetic. Reversible causes, shared with women:

iron deficiency (low ferritin), zinc, vitamin D
thyroid disease
stress, illness, sharp weight loss (telogen effluvium)

Which nutrients really matter for hair is in vitamins for hair; a general review of causes is in hair loss: causes.

What Actually Treats It (Minoxidil, Finasteride)

The evidence base for male androgenetic alopecia:

Minoxidil (topical) — prolongs the growth phase, improves follicle blood supply
Finasteride (oral, prescription) — blocks DHT formation, slows loss and often restores some hair
The minoxidil + finasteride combination is more effective than monotherapy per meta-analyses
For marked loss — a hair transplant (surgical)

Folk "sprays and oils" are unproven. Start treatment earlier — while follicles are alive.

Which Tests to Take

To separate androgenetic shedding from reversible causes: ferritin and iron, TSH, vitamin D, and testosterone when indicated. A targeted set is convenient — the hair loss panel. The results show whether deficiency correction, thyroid treatment, or it is androgenetic alopecia.

When to See a Trichologist

If there are bald patches (round spots), scarring, itching, flaking, or sudden loss with no cause — see a dermatologist-trichologist: it may not be androgenetic alopecia but another condition needing treatment. Choosing therapy (minoxidil/finasteride) is also best done with a specialist.

This information is for educational purposes and does not replace a specialist consultation.

Frequently asked questions

Up to 80% of cases are androgenetic alopecia (male-pattern baldness): a hereditary sensitivity of follicles to the hormone DHT, which makes hair miniaturize in a 'pattern' (temples, crown). The rest are reversible causes: iron, zinc, vitamin D deficiency, thyroid disease, stress. To tell them apart, a hair loss panel is taken.
Not directly. Male-pattern baldness is linked not to the testosterone level but to the genetic sensitivity of follicles to its derivative — DHT (dihydrotestosterone). So men with normal or even low testosterone can go bald if their follicles are sensitive. The hormonal background can be assessed by testosterone and related tests if desired.
The evidence base: minoxidil (topical), finasteride (oral, prescription, blocks DHT), and their combination is more effective than monotherapy per meta-analyses; for marked loss — a hair transplant. Folk sprays and oils are unproven. It is better to start treatment early, while follicles are alive, and to manage it with a trichologist.
To separate androgenetic alopecia from reversible causes: ferritin and iron, TSH, vitamin D, and testosterone when indicated. It is convenient to order them together — the hair loss panel. The results show whether deficiency correction, thyroid treatment, or it is androgenetic shedding needing minoxidil/finasteride.
Only if there is a deficiency they replace (iron, vitamin D, zinc). For androgenetic alopecia, vitamins will not stop the process — minoxidil and/or finasteride are needed. Which nutrients really matter for hair and what is overrated (for example, biotin) is in vitamins for hair.

#Testosterone #Ferritin #Hair Loss Panel #Hair Loss: Causes

For informational purposes only

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a healthcare professional for medical guidance.

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