Head Hair Smell (Qualitative) – Organic Volatile Compounds
This test checks whether your hair naturally emits unusual smells, which may indicate underlying health conditions.
["A simple screening to help identify potential health concerns through hair odor analysis."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 24746-0
- Short code
- Deprecated Head.SS MR
- Synonyms
- Deprecated Head.SS MR
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 135
- Ref high
- 980
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- mr
- CPT
- 82626
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What This Test Measures
This test evaluates the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in hair, often linked to metabolic or systemic processes. Hair odor can sometimes reflect metabolic byproducts, infections, or other physiological factors.
Why It Might Be Ordered
Your healthcare provider may recommend this test if you have symptoms like unusual body odor, suspected metabolic disorders, or conditions affecting smell-related pathways. It’s sometimes used in specialized evaluations for conditions like phenylketonuria or other inherited metabolic diseases.
How the Test Works
A small sample of your hair is collected and analyzed to detect specific chemical signatures. The test is qualitative, meaning it provides a yes/no or positive/negative result rather than a measured quantity.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is needed. Simply provide a hair sample, often taken from the scalp or other hair regions, as directed by your healthcare provider.
Reference range
NCBI: DHEA-S Male 135-980 µg/dL; Female 30-260 µg/dLN/A
No special preparation usually required. Stay well hydrated. Inform your healthcare provider of all medications and supplements you are taking.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical significance: This screening test can help identify potential metabolic disorders, infections, or other systemic conditions that may cause unusual body odor. While not definitive, it may prompt further diagnostic testing if abnormalities are detected.
Short name
Hair Odor Screening
Frequently asked questions
Why might my hair odor test be ordered?
What does a positive result mean?
Can I prepare for this test?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy