Hair Loss Protocol Calculator

Photo-track every 3 months under identical lighting. The shedding paradox is the #1 drop-off point for users — knowing it's coming is half the battle.

1. Weeks 2–8

   Dread shed

   Transient synchronized telogen exit. Do NOT stop — it is often a response indicator.

2. Weeks 8–12

   Shedding slows

   Exit phase tapers as new anagen cycles begin.

3. Weeks 16–24

   Visible density improvement

   Vertex hair counts typically +10 to +30 hairs/cm².

4. Weeks 24–52

   Terminal regrowth

   Vellus-to-terminal conversion continues; photo tracking shows real change.

5. Weeks 52–78

   Peak visible effect

   Maximum benefit at 12–18 months; plateau thereafter with continued use.

• Iron repletion if ferritin < 70 ng/mL · evidence: strong — Low ferritin is a well-documented contributor to telogen effluvium. Test before stacking.
• Vitamin D3 if 25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL · evidence: moderate — Cross-sectional association with alopecia severity; see the Vitamin D3 calculator for dose.
• Marine collagen 10 g/day · evidence: weak — Mixed evidence; safe. Pair with vitamin C.
• Saw palmetto 320 mg/day · evidence: weak — Mild 5-AR-1 activity; not additive with finasteride. Only consider as monotherapy for cautious users.
• Biotin · evidence: none — No evidence of benefit absent deficiency; skews thyroid/troponin lab assays. Skip unless documented deficiency.

• Baseline photos (vertex, mid-scalp, hairline, temples) under consistent lighting + repeat at 3, 6, 12 months.
• Optional baseline labs: total T, SHBG, DHT, TSH, ferritin, 25-OH-D — rule out non-androgenic causes.
• Weekly mood / libido / cognitive log during weeks 1–12 (EMA/MHRA suicidal-ideation warning).
• LFT (AST, ALT): baseline, 3 mo, annually — minor finasteride signal.