Actually see doctor before starting finasteride?

[Brandon Mthson]

Do you guys recommend actually seeing a doctor or hair specialist before starting finasteride?

In my case it seems pretty likely that my hair loss is male pattern baldness: I'm 25, my older brother has lost more hair than me, my mother's father was completely bald on top. Any sense in getting tests for iron-deficiency? (I've already gotten tested for low-thyroid, which came back fine)


Brandon

 

[Guest]

Yes, See a DR.....

 

[gonna_win]

A Doctor that specialises in skin and hair is called a Dermatologist. They are the people you want to see, but with every profession there are good eggs and bad, make sure that what they tell you is explained and supplied with evidence. Check what they say with thing's like medical journals and results from studies.

Good luck buddy!

 

[Johnny24601]

re:

My primary care doctor knew more about hairloss then the derm I went to. It is wise to see a doctor so you know that you are healthy and suffering male pattern baldness and nothing else.

 

[reyn]

I went to my PCP to get a physical and a prescription for Propecia (though I use Fincar). He had me take a blood test to determine baseline liver enzyme levels, and has asked me to go back for a retest after 2 to 3 months to see if the Finasteride is causing any problems.

 

[Brandon Mthson]

Thanks for the quick responses, guys. Do you think there are any other test that should be done for people considering Finasteride, besides blood-iron and liver-enzyme tests (and thyroid test if you're not sure it's male pattern baldness)?


Brandon

 

[Brandon Mthson]

Unless a dermatologist happens to have a significant amount of experience treating hair loss, I suspect he or she would just look over a 7 page physicians' guide to hair loss treatment, such as this one: http://www.aafp.org/afp/990415ap/2189.html

If that's the case, the main benefit of seeing a dermatologist without specific experience seems to be merely to get the liver enzyme level test.

Did anyone's doctor of dermatologist do anything else for them?

 

[triton2]

Testing your liver enzyme levels periodically 'fearing' that finasteride might be hepatoxic, from my point of view, is unnecessary. I mean, it's no more necessary than it would be testing your enzyme levels because you have increased your protein intake 30gr a day. Hell, we are talking about finasteride, not 17-alpha-alkylated steroids (even these, unless they are taken at really high dosages, are not that hepatoxic). Drinking alcohol 1 day per week, as a lot of people usually does, is surely a hundred times more hepatoxic than taking your finasteride daily dosage.
Nonetheless, if you are worried about your liver, begin to take NAC and sAME, they are amazing liver protectans.

 

[Petchsky]

A doctor will just tell you whatever is all ready printed on a finasteride warning label. Really want to pay some old dude for that?

 

[Guest]

Where I come from you don’t have to pay a doctor for a check-up or whatever.
You should see a doctor before taking a drug that will affect your body. On the propecia website, it says to consult your doctor before taking their product.
It surprises me how so many people are quick to take a pill straight off the net.
If i ever take propecia, it won't be until my doctor say's that it's ok for me to take it.
Good Luck anyway.

 

[triton2]

You should see a doctor before taking a drug that will affect your body.

Care to tell me the benefits seeing a doctor would have over self-medicating in this case?
Saying that is just as good as saying nothin'. If you don't point out the LOGICAL reasons which give validity to your thesis "it's best to see a doctor before taking finasteride". You might repeat "Seeing a doctor before is the best approach" millions of times or you might call another million people who yelled that sentence until their throats became sore, that would still have ZERO validity from my point of view if there's no logical argument behind that affirmation.

On the propecia website, it says to consult your doctor before taking their product

Merck obviously prefers that you are compelled by your Doctor to take PROPECIA rather than having you cutting their proscar tabs into four pieces. They obviously get a lot more $$$ from the former. They, at least, have a logical-rational argument to advice you to see a Doctor.

If i ever take propecia, it won't be until my doctor say's that it's ok for me to take it.

Seeing that you are determined to see your doctor, at least, try to convince him to:

1) Prescript you proscar or dutasteride instead of propecia.

2) Prescript you an aromatase blocker (good luck) to prevent estrogenic side effects.

 

[Guest]

Look I can't really be bothered to give you a long-winded reply to your response from my advice.
All I'm saying is its common sense to see your doctor before taking any med's. Whatever you decide to do is up to you.
I guess triton2 has had a bad experience with his Doctor or whatever.