TrichoTest DNA Analysis
Genetic Test for Determining Cause of Hair Loss and Prescribing Genetically Compatible Treatments
Hair loss, also known as alopecia, is progressive and multifactorial condition that is a common concern affecting both men and women in Singapore. While it is fairly well known that genetics, hormonal changes, lifestyle, and/or environmental stress can all affect the likelihood of suffering from hair loss, balding, or other forms of hair thinning, not many patients are aware that genetics also determine how well they might respond to certain hair loss treatments such as minoxidil.
The TrichoTest is a genetic test that caters to patients who are in search of a personalised approach to hair and scalp related treatments and/or patients who are seeking clarity as to what is causing their hair loss.
What is TrichoTest?
Named after the Greek word for hair, “tricho”, the TrichoTest is a 99% reproducible (indicating a high degree of reliability) and non-invasive full genetic analysis test that scans for and identifies specific genetic markers in the patient’s DNA that are associated with hair loss and responsiveness to certain treatments. The TrichoTest can reliably identify predisposition for conditions such as:
- Androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness)
- Alopecia areata
- Telogen effluvium
- Hereditary baldness
- Hair thinning
TrichoTest at The Clifford Clinic
| Full genetic analysis that scans for 48 genetic variations linked to hair loss |
| DNA OpenArray technology based genetic test |
| Clinically proven high precision test with 99.9% reproducibility |
| Personalized and comprehensive post-test medical report for a tailored treatment plan |
| Identifies genetic predisposition for hair loss for early intervention and prevention |
| Empowers patients to make informed decisions |
| Painless and fast |
This page if focused on identifying genetic factors affecting patients’ susceptibility to hair loss and response to medication. If you are interested in a surgical solution to hair loss, please read our service page on hair transplant surgery.
Your genes can affect your responsiveness to medication
Pharmacogenomics, also known as pharmacogenetics or PGx, is the study of how the genome affects drug response; Genes also play a part in determining the success of certain medications/treatments. Trichotest provides a pharmacogenetic approach to personalising hair loss treatment based on your unique DNA sequence.
The personalised genetic report generated post-test will provide you and your doctor with the information needed to prescribe a treatment regimen that is tailored to suit your unique genetic makeup. The genetic report will provide insight on compatibility with:
- Nutritional supplements (vitamins or minerals)
- Mesotherapy treatment
- Topical or oral medications such as minoxidil or finasteride.
TrichoTest minoxidil response analysis
TrichoTest scans for responsiveness to Minoxidil, an oral and topical medication used to treat androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness) and other hair loss related conditions. Minoxidil promotes hair growth by widening blood vessels to allow for more blood, oxygen, and nutrients to reach the hair follicles, however, the effectiveness of minoxidil is tied to the presence of the SULT1A1 gene.
SULT1A1 as a genetic marker for compatibility with minoxidil treatment
The SULT1A1 gene encodes for the SULT1A1 enzyme that is expressed in the outer roots sheath of hair follicles. SULT1A1 is essential for the conversion of minoxidil into its active form minoxidil sulfate, a potassium channel opener that plays a role in vasodilation (widening of the blood vessels) and trichogenic (hair growth) or hypertrichotic (hair growth promoting) pathways.
DNA testing saves time
30 to 40% of women and 50% of men are not responsive to minoxidil based treatments due to the absence of SULT1A1. Due to the results of minoxidil treatment taking 6 to 9 months to present, relying on conventional observation-based response tests/trials can be very costly in terms of time spent on the test/trial.
TrichoTest remove the uncertainty associated with using minoxidil as results from the test are viewable within 2 to 3 months post-test.
Genetic variation and its link to hair loss
There are 48 genetic variations linked to alopecia that are caused by 3 polymorphisms within 16 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). DNA is made of 4 different types of nucleotides (A, G, C, and T), and a SNPs is a substitution of a single nucleotide at a specific location/position in the DNA sequence that causes a change in the way a certain gene is expressed.
Everyone’s DNA sequence is unique; a substitution in one person’s DNA may not be present in another person’s DNA (genetic variation). Certain SNPs are associated with different types of hair loss, such as androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness), alopecia areata, and/or other forms of hair thinning, thus making them genetic markers for genetic predisposition for hair loss.
Identifying the pathway that is causing your hair loss or the types of medication you are or are not responsive too can greatly impact how effective certain types of treatment are on you and help your doctor craft a personalised treatment plan for you.
How TrichoTest works
TrichoTest scans the patient’s unique DNA for 48 different clinically proven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (genetic variations) that affect the following 7 different hair loss/hair loss treatment categories:
- Collagen synthesis (1 associated gene)
- Insulin metabolism (1 associated gene)
- Prostaglandin metabolism (7 associated genes)
- Inflammation (1 associated gene)
- Androgenic effects (3 associated genes)
- Blood circulation and vasodilation (1 associated gene)
- Vitamin and/or mineral deficiencies (2 associated genes)
Each associated gene has 3 variants, adding to a total of 48 genetic variants scanned for.
How does TrichoTest affect my treatment plan?
Variations in your DNA can determine how well you respond to different types of treatment and determine what treatment categories your doctor should focus on when prescribing treatment to you.
Example of genes screened for by TrichoTest | ||
Gene | Effected pathway/activity | Associated treatment/medication |
SULT1A1 | Activity of enzyme sulfotransferase | Minoxidil |
PTGES2 | Activity of enzyme PTGES2 | Minoxidil |
SR5DA | Activity of enzyme 5a-reductase type 1 and 2 | Finasteride, Dutasteride |
COL1A1 | Collagen synthesis | Collagen synthesis boosters |
CRABP2 | Vitamin A transport | Tocopherol, Retinol |
BTD | Activity of enzyme biotinidase | Biotin |
ACE | Activity of enzyme angiotensin-converting | Circulation modulators |
What to expect when doing a TrichoTest at The Clifford Clinic
The TrichoTest is a painless and convenient DNA analysis test that collects DNA from you via a buccal swab. On the day of the test, a pre-test consultation session will be arranged for to allow you to discuss your concerns with our doctor(s) as well as allow for our doctor(s) to explain the mechanism of the TrichoTest to you and what you can expect from your personalised post-test medical report.
A saliva sample will be collected from you via a buccal swab (cheek swab). Our staff will assist with sending the sample to the laboratory on your behalf. Once the swab is done, you will be given a medical and lifestyle questionnaire to fill in as the TrichoTest takes into account environmental factors and your lifestyle on top of your DNA sequence to generate the post-test report.
The report will be ready in 2 to 3 months post-test. Once the report is ready, our staff will call you back to the clinic for your second consultation session to discuss your personalised treatment plan.
FAQ
Is the TrichoTest painful?
TrichoTest is a painless and needle-less buccal swab test.
Does the TrichoTest have any downtime?
No, there is no downtime associated with the test.
Must I be suffering from hair loss to do the TrichoTest?
No, you do not need to be currently suffering from hair loss to undergo the test. TrichoTest identifies genetic predisposition for hair loss, thus, we recommend it for patients who have a family history of hair loss. Early detection can aid in early intervention and prevention.
When will I get my personalised report?
Your medical report will be ready around 2 to 3 months post-test.