finfighter said:
Your T levels did? What about your DHT? How old are you?
I don't want to pull this thread away from timez, plus I'm about to post a thread of my own detailing my progress, but to answer your questions:
Yeah, my total testosterone levels were 581 ng/dl in 2006, the year of my last blood test pre-finasteride. In 2011, just a few weeks after taking the drug for four days, they were down to 440; as of a few weeks ago, about two-and-a-half months after the previous blood tests, levels are up to 560. (I never had free testosterone levels taken pre-finasteride, but after taking finasteride they were at 11.1; as of a few weeks ago they're at 11.3.) DHT was never taken pre-finasteride, but a few weeks after stopping levels were at 30; as of the last blood test, they're at 50. I'm twenty-seven and have always been in fine health otherwise.
timez said:
I was also wondering though how many people claim that in the beginning they get sides but after a week or so of usage the sides go away. I have the exact same feeling as you state that I am very sensitive to the drug but is this normal? Is it supposed to be like this for a week or so? Because I have read that sides has gone away after a week or so for a few people.
Again, I'm not trying to claim to be an expert; there are others on the board who can speak with more authority about this topic than I can -- but, sure, the most serious side effects (prostate soreness, testicle ache, complete loss of libido) will probably fade in perhaps a week or so. The problem, however, as I understand it, is that the most serious of the side effects are a consequence of your body's hormones re-adjusting -- i.e. testosterone falling and estrogen rising, among other changes. Only when your hormones settle in to new levels will the most serious of the effects probably go away. The problem is, of course, that your hormones have adjusted, and your testosterone will likely have lowered, causing lessened libido and even possibly erection problems. This will be your "new normal," so to speak. It probably won't be as bad as your first week on finasteride, but there will likely still be problems of varying degrees.
With all of this said, if you do still decide to take finasteride, my advise would be to stop temporarily until you're back to normal and go get a blood test taken. I really can't advise this enough. That way, if and when you decide to resume taking finasteride and you have problems, a doctor can have a reference of what your natural blood levels are and can treat you accordingly. Without a test, unless your hormones are out of normal range, there's not much a doctor is going to be able to do. I realize when you're losing your hair there's an urgency to want to address the problem of hair loss right away (trust me, I've been there), but really, the most prudent and smart thing to do is to wait on getting a test done. Chances are, your hair loss won't get much worse between now and your appointment.
Anyway, others on this board have suggested getting the following levels taken:
Total testosterone
Free Testosterone
LH
FSH
Prolactin
Esotrogen
Bind. Glob
Other users like Enden could probably better explain why these levels are the most important. If I were you, I'd get these taken and urge your endocrinologist to test any other levels he/she feels appropriate.
