Can bloodwork help tell you if finasteride is working? (and possibly help make a dutasteride decision

[sportsfan12]

So I'm having a tough time telling how effective finasteride has been for me. Im 25 yo and 11 months into finasteride, and I do believe it has helped the crown a bit, but one side of my hairline looks like its continuing to thin (the other side is fine which is even confusing me more)

I plan on getting blood work done because im considering dutasteride, and my question is can the blood work results help me in terms of seeing if finasteride is helping. For example, if my dht is lower than normal, that would be a good sign? If my dht is normal, that would mean another reason to maybe try dutasteride?

Im just confused as to what to look for when getting blood work done and if those results can be used at all to identify how much finasteride is working and if dutasteride should be considered. Thanks for any feedback

 

[Pequod]

I think you need to have a test done prior to starting finasteride or dutasteride and then have one done after to compare. DHT should see a percentage drop and this will mean you have a healthier scalp.

If someone is already on finasteride and switches to dutasteride they should also see a smaller drop to show they have less DHT in their system.

I just got back my first blood test on DHT and my level is 13.4 ng/dl which is very low. I am on finasteride myself.

 

[SparzhaHLT]

Also going to do the blood tests before starting finasteride. Are there any other relevant tests than DHT?

Sportsfan12, which tests are you going to do or have you done earlier?

 

[sportsfan12]

Also going to do the blood tests before starting finasteride. Are there any other relevant tests than DHT?

Sportsfan12, which tests are you going to do or have you done earlier?

I have no baseline tests and i feel fine (no sides, knock on wood)- i just set an appt with my derm who takes finasteride himself so i just plan on asking him what tests he would suggest and im going to discuss the dutasteride possibility

 

[SparzhaHLT]

I have no baseline tests and i feel fine (no sides, knock on wood)- i just set an appt with my derm who takes finasteride himself so i just plan on asking him what tests he would suggest and im going to discuss the dutasteride possibility

Nice. I am going to do Dihydrotestosterone, Testosterone and Free Testosterone tests as common sense tells me it would useful. Let me know if your derm suggests any other tests. Thanks!

 

[drock18]

check your estrogen too, make sure it's normal.