mmm...I went to see my GP for some blood tests and asked her to do DHT and testosterone level test on me as well..she did not know what DHT was and kept telling me that I wouldn't need one but I made her write that down in my blood test paper thingy anyway!! you gotta be pushy when needed!
Adams story - pics included/advice needed pls
- Thread starter adam1987
- Start date
Hi Talmode, I think they got put off the idea that he didn't know what dutasteride is. Just out of curiosity is it just a standard blood test to get the results for DHT and testosterone levels. He apparently needs a reason to do the test and also he wants information and to be in contact with who is prescribing me the drug and in the end I basically thought to myself "this guy is never going to give in here, basically for legal reasons more than anything". So I am a little stuck. Ok I have been able to book a blood test, can I say that I also want to get my DHT levels checks and my testosterone done as well when I turn up? Also how long do I have to be off finasteride for it to give an accurate reading because I have stopped being on finasteride for about 3 weeks now.
hi Adam, I live in Australia and in here you need to have types of blood tests that you want checked written down in a piece of paper by your GP. A lady in the blood collection centre told me that testosterone and other blood tests results would be back in a couple of days but it would take 6 weeks for DHT level test result to get to my doctor. oh, and I have read somewhere else that hormones go back to normal after a few weeks of stpopping finasteride...
Hi ash, thanks for the comments!! My hair is in decent condition but I don't want to recede any further and am at the point of having to do something about it as the signs are very obvious. I found it very interesting that you brought up the idea about stress and diet, I think that could be a factor in my hair loss, not saying its the overall problem but its something that I think is making it worse, suffered from both a lot of stress due to other personal problems and my diet could be a lot better...for vitamin A and iron I think I lack, im also suffer from a lack of iron which the doctors picked up in a blood test, so that I need to address. I don't know what natural treatments there are out on the market though, I know things like procerin and other herbal remedies...anything you can point me in the direction of.....? Thanks again for your help.
Does anyone know where to get dutasteride online as the only place I have found is very expensive, but I also want somewhere that is reliable and has a good reputation...the only site I can think of is inhouse pharmacy? Regarding minoxidil is worth spending more money on a more recognisable brand like regaine or just go for Kirkland which is basically the same thing?
I have got all my stuff now.....iron supplement as I have very low iron levels, vitamin A, biotin, Vitamin D, saw palmetto, 5% minoxidil and dutasteride. I have arranged a blood test, but how important is it to get tested before you take dutasteride? - as I am basically waiting. Thanks guys.
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I have got all my stuff now.....iron supplement as I have very low iron levels, vitamin A, biotin, Vitamin D, saw palmetto, 5% minoxidil and dutasteride. I have arranged a blood test, but how important is it to get tested before you take dutasteride? - as I am basically waiting. Thanks guys.
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I have got all my stuff now.....iron supplement as I have very low iron levels, vitamin A, biotin, Vitamin D, saw palmetto, 5% minoxidil and dutasteride. I have arranged a blood test, but how important is it to get tested before you take dutasteride? - as I am basically waiting. Thanks guys.
Ok well I have been on dutasteride for 2 weeks now using 1 capsule every 2 days. Also taking vitamin A and D3, biotin and iron supplements every day in combination with standard 5% minoxidil liquid and 2% nizoral, I will see how the 5% minoxidil goes, I might experiment in that area, will be watching my hairline very very closely in the next few weeks, I will expect a shed but I still want to see if hair get stronger or weaker which will be key. I will post pictures at the 4 week stage and probably at the 8 and 12 week stage and let people judge for themselves. I haven't had any sides to dutasteride as I know, I got a headache sometimes when starting but I am fine now. Obviously will keep an eye out for any sides I pick up. Will come back with pictures in 2 weeks. Gl guys!!! Adam
Getting back headaches and pain on dutasteride and I don't think my body is responding well. I don't know if these will go over time but its basically happening a lot ad I am not sure what to do. I could reduce the dose to 1 capsule a week, instead of 1 every other day (3 a week) and see if that stops the headaches. Its a bit worrying though.
RapidRetreat
Member
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Hi adam I am also on dutasteride and have been taking it for over 3 months now, like when I first started taking finasteride I experience headaches and general aches over my body but it subsided after time, I also experienced this when I made the switch over to dutasteride but it did not last too long, I am feeling fine now I also got really oily skin but that also seems to have gotten a little better. Just thought I would share that, hope it all works out mate and goodluck!
Hi Rapid, that gives me a little hope then as they are very annoying, im getting by taking nurofen/ibrophrofen and lots of water. How long did they take to go away with you? I don't know how long to stick with it but I will try and go through a month and see what happens. Thanks for the advice and good luck to yourself!!!
Can anyone here help me regarding minoxidil please? - I have been on spectral for a few months now and its making my hairline and hair inside my scalp very very weak, there is no sign of regrowth and my hair is becoming like straw on the hairline and falling out, I know this is a reaction, but so many things tell me this is not a positive one, is there another brand that people can recommend I switch to that might help or even go up to 10-15%? Sorry a bit desperate here. The headaches with dutasteride have gone down so hopefully my body is adjusting, will post picks in a couple weeks after 1 month on dutasteride but it might be effected by the bad minoxidil reaction. Any minoxidil or hair growth options are welcome thanks.
RapidRetreat
Member
- Reaction score
- 2
I think it is the dutasteride making your hair feel like straw mine around my temples and mid section also feels like straw now and I am shedding rapidly
Sorry had to change my account to this one as I have changed email. Best to keep an eye on it mate and also get a blood test asap to see what is going on, im in the middle of trying to sort mine out now. Its the only real way to find out if your DHT is being reduced.
RapidRetreat
Member
- Reaction score
- 2
getting it tested tomorrow hopefully! I wonder if I have seen an upregulation of androgens seeing as my testosterone must have gone through the roof from upregulation because my skin is slimy and oily after 2 hours... A good doctor who knew everything would solve all of our problems wouldn't it lol
Good luck rapid, let us know what the results are when you can. These headaches from dutasteride ARE REALLY annoying, I just want them to go away, I am on one capsule every other day for just over a month now and don't know what to do, do I ride it out and keep going or do I stop basically because my body is telling me to? People said to expect this but I don't know if it get better over time, because I will not put up with this if it stays how it is.
Quantum Cat
Senior Member
- Reaction score
- 137
Adam in response to your PM,
if you're not satisfied with your GP ask to see a different one. It's your right under the NHS.
I can understand why your GP would be alarmed about you taking a med that isn't officially 'allowed' for male pattern baldness. Can't blame him really, most don't know much about male pattern baldness at all and they have to cover their asses.
ask to be referred to either a dermatologist or an endocrinologist or a trichologist as they hopefully will have more knowledge. you could also try to get a free consultation with a hairloss clinic/surgeon - not to get a transplant or treatment, but just to pick their brains. the more professionals you talk to, the better.
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oh and perhaps your head pains are what some describe as 'brain fog'
I think I experienced 'brain fog' when I first started using finasteride - it was a strange spaced out feeling rather than pain, but was definitely a noticeable effect. It went away after a day or two
if you're not satisfied with your GP ask to see a different one. It's your right under the NHS.
I can understand why your GP would be alarmed about you taking a med that isn't officially 'allowed' for male pattern baldness. Can't blame him really, most don't know much about male pattern baldness at all and they have to cover their asses.
ask to be referred to either a dermatologist or an endocrinologist or a trichologist as they hopefully will have more knowledge. you could also try to get a free consultation with a hairloss clinic/surgeon - not to get a transplant or treatment, but just to pick their brains. the more professionals you talk to, the better.
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oh and perhaps your head pains are what some describe as 'brain fog'
I think I experienced 'brain fog' when I first started using finasteride - it was a strange spaced out feeling rather than pain, but was definitely a noticeable effect. It went away after a day or two
Hi quantum, im seeing someone else today, well in a few hours, I am not sure about the head pains as I know what all doctors will say "I think you should come off it immediately".....some days I don't have any pain at all and there are others like yesterday where it just comes and stays for half a day, I just have to have 10 cups of water and some nurofen to help it go away. But again you cant put your health at risk, I am going the blood test route so I am going to also try one more time about getting a blood test done and through a lyingish story going to see if I can get my DHT thrown in their as well. If not I will have to go private....I just don't know how long to give the drug before the symptoms calm down. I will let you know what I get out of this GP in this thread and go from there. Its intresting that your sides went after a day or so, had mine for around 3 weeks now....oh and before I forget how long do you have to be on finasteride before you can get a blood test to see if its effecting your DHT levels? - i was hoping it was a few weeks.....
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To say this is stressful is a big understatement, I went to my GP and tried to get a referral and he said they don't do that, apparently if you get a blood test done privately then it needs to be handled privately. But when I talked to the private hospital about arranging the blood test they said I needed to be referred by someone, so now I basically have to go back to my doctors and try and make it happen.....so annoying!!
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Ok looks like we are getting somewhere finally!!!!! - have been referred to a dermatologist and they have also written a referral to the private hospital that I wanted for my DHT test. Thank goodness I listened to some of you lot and perceived and carried on pestering until they basically gave in and sympathised with my situation. Now for some jabs......how fun.......
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To say this is stressful is a big understatement, I went to my GP and tried to get a referral and he said they don't do that, apparently if you get a blood test done privately then it needs to be handled privately. But when I talked to the private hospital about arranging the blood test they said I needed to be referred by someone, so now I basically have to go back to my doctors and try and make it happen.....so annoying!!
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Ok looks like we are getting somewhere finally!!!!! - have been referred to a dermatologist and they have also written a referral to the private hospital that I wanted for my DHT test. Thank goodness I listened to some of you lot and perceived and carried on pestering until they basically gave in and sympathised with my situation. Now for some jabs......how fun.......
Ok I have been on dutasteride for 1 month now and I have heard some stories about the hairline area which is my problem as I have Androgenetic Alopecia, the left picture was taken on 9th June, right was taken today (1st July), noticed a difference in my hair thinning already, I would upload more but this is basically what is happening, i took away the minoxidil i was on as it was cheap and wasn't doing my hair any favours, i wanted to see how dutasteride reacted without anything else for a few months and i would then add lipogiane minoxidil for the hairline, will have to keep an eye on this as i don't want to completely ruin my hairline with dutasteride as i have been told stories on the board about this....will post 2nd months pics at start of august.