UK: What blood tests do I need before Propecia (Finasteride)?

[Kirby]

OK, so a private dermatologist gave me a finasteride prescription, but my GP has 1.) gotten angry that I saw someone privately without telling him 2.) refuses to accept the Telogen Effluvium and male pattern baldness diagnoses from the dermatologist 3.) told me not to take finasteride 4.) refused the blood tests the dermatologist said I need every 6-12 months (who explicitly told me to get them from my NHS GP).

I MIGHT be able to get the blood tests privately I THINK, but which tests do I need? There are a numerous set available, some from £65 to £90 (just about affordable if I go without food) to £600+ (totally unaffordable). Which exactly do I need? I'm also concerned that if something bad is discovered in the tests, and I need treatment for the liver or other issues, that the NHS will wash its hands of me for that as the test was private, and I really can't afford private healthcare (and I couldn't get private insurance due to my disability).

 

[J.Harrison]

Why do you feel you need blood tests every 6 mos.?

OK, so a private dermatologist gave me a finasteride prescription, but my GP has 1.) gotten angry that I saw someone privately without telling him 2.) refuses to accept the Telogen Effluvium and male pattern baldness diagnoses from the dermatologist 3.) told me not to take finasteride 4.) refused the blood tests the dermatologist said I need every 6-12 months (who explicitly told me to get them from my NHS GP). I MIGHT be able to get the blood tests privately I THINK, but which tests do I need? There are a numerous set available, some from £65 to £90 (just about affordable if I go without food) to £600+ (totally unaffordable). Which exactly do I need? I'm also concerned that if something bad is discovered in the tests, and I need treatment for the liver or other issues, that the NHS will wash its hands of me for that as the test was private, and I really can't afford private healthcare (and I couldn't get private insurance due to my disability).

 

[Quantum Cat]

did you do what I've already suggested numerous times and contacted an NHS walk-in-clinic?

According to what I've read they will do free discreet blood tests and you don't even have to give your GP's details if you don't want to.

It's also possible to get generic finasteride from them (Irishfella did)

 

[andrew lincoln]

That's what I was wondering as well, could you elaborate?

 

[Kirby]

did you do what I've already suggested numerous times and contacted an NHS walk-in-clinic?

According to what I've read they will do free discreet blood tests and you don't even have to give your GP's details if you don't want to.

Because there's none near me (they must be something big cities, London etc, have)? And it's not going to help matters with my GP. I'd have done that already if it was an option.

It's also possible to get generic finasteride from them (Irishfella did)

Err, the Irish health system is barely like the NHS so the chance of that happening here is zero.

 

[Quantum Cat]

if you live in a rural area there'll be a walk-in centre in your nearest town or hospital.

Go there. Get the free blood test. Get the results. Everything comes back fine. Don't tell your GP. End of story.

 

[The Far Side]

So once again I've looked into this and been unable to find an NHS walk-in-clinic that would do these tests, certainly not for free. Have you just read about this or actually been able to get free tests done yourself Quantum Cat? Considering the private prices I'm looking at just now it would be cheaper for me to fly to anywhere in the UK for free tests...