Healthy Skin, Hair & Nails Profile - basic

The “Skin, Hair and Nail Health — Basic” profile is a set of laboratory tests designed to identify the most common internal causes of worsening skin, hair, and nail condition.

It helps assess iron levels and iron stores, vitamin D and zinc deficiencies, as well as signs of anemia and microelement metabolism disorders - conditions that may present with hair loss, brittle nails, dry skin, dull complexion, and slowed tissue regeneration.

The profile allows the physician to identify possible nutritional and metabolic imbalances and determine further diagnostic or therapeutic steps.

Key indicators of internal skin, hair, and nail health

• Complete blood count (without ESR) — helps detect signs of anemia and hidden inflammation that may present with hair loss, weakness, and deterioration of skin and nails
• Vitamin D (25-OH vitamin D) — involved in hair follicle regulation and skin regeneration processes; deficiency is often associated with diffuse hair loss and dry skin
• Ferritin — reflects iron stores in the body; low levels are commonly associated with hair loss, hair thinning, and brittle nails
• Iron (Fe) — ensures oxygen transport to tissues; deficiency may lead to dull skin, slowed hair growth, and weakened hair structure
• Total serum calcium — involved in cellular regeneration processes and indirectly influences nail strength and overall skin condition
• Zinc (Zn) — essential for cell division and tissue regeneration; deficiency is commonly associated with brittle nails, hair loss, and dry skin

Indications

• hair loss (diffuse or seasonal)
• brittle, thin, or splitting nails
• dry, flaky, or deteriorated skin
• fatigue and general weakness
• suspected iron, vitamin D, or micronutrient deficiency
• unbalanced diet or restrictive eating patterns
• recovery after stress, illness, pregnancy, or childbirth
• preventive assessment of nutritional status

Procedure

Blood is collected from a vein using standard venipuncture. The procedure takes a few minutes and requires no special preparation at the laboratory.

The blood sample is analyzed according to the profile components.

Contraindications

There are no absolute contraindications to this laboratory test.

Relative limitations include:

• severe acute infections
• significant dehydration
• inability to obtain venous access
• recent major blood loss (as determined by a physician)

Limitations

Results are not a standalone diagnosis and must be interpreted by a physician in a clinical context.

Values may be influenced by inflammatory conditions, medications, and physiological states (pregnancy, menstrual cycle).

Identification of deficiencies requires medical evaluation and individualized management.