I am just wondering how long it takes for a dermotologist to get the results back from a scalp biopsy. I had one done a couple of days ago and am anxious to hear the results. I tried calling the doctor today and was only able to leave a message. I am a 33 year old female experiencing hair loss. Thank-you for any information you can provide for me.

The time it takes to get a biopsy back depends upon the doctor who is reading the biopsy. This is not a test that one get by running blood in some meter that gives a reading. It is a meticulous test where an expert doctor (dermatopathologist) prepares slides from the biopsy source (3-4 days) then looks at it under a standard staining process (1 day — not on a weekend day), and then if the diagnosis is not evident the entire process may have to be repeated with different colored stains (1-2 weeks) before a final diagnosis is available. Depending upon the complexity of the disease being tested, the time does vary between doctors, patients, diseases, facilities.

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