Prostate Exam Question For Those On Finasteride/dutasteride

[Jude79]

Gents just wondering how exactly a prostate exam for someone who is on finasteride/dutasteride or a combination of both goes? To my knowledge there are two paths. Path 1 the rectal exam but surely both drugs will shrink the prostate so how can a doctor tell what's what so to speak. Path 2 is I believe a blood test and psa seems to be what's measured but both finasteride and dutasteride mask these readings somewhat. If anyone has experience of this while on either I'd like to know what I am in store for and how the Doctor can tell you're all good!!! Thanks

 

[Finjunkie]

There's different guidelines for guys on finasteride/dutasteride. Pretty sure the limits are just lowered for both blood levels and prostate size but don't quote me in that

 

[BaldyBalderBald]

There's different guidelines for guys on finasteride/dutasteride. Pretty sure the limits are just lowered for both blood levels and prostate size but don't quote me in that

I heard the same, i'm not sure, but if practician is aware of the fact you're on those drugs, he takes into account these decreases on psa levels to make his diagnosis

 

[Jude79]

Thanks a lot. Anyone have any actual experience? Just for warned is for armed and all that. I'll have a difficult enough time explaining why I am taking finasteride with my particular doctor. Bit of a dinosaur who will be completely against it!

 

[DoctorHouse]

Thanks a lot. Anyone have any actual experience? Just for warned is for armed and all that. I'll have a difficult enough time explaining why I am taking finasteride with my particular doctor. Bit of a dinosaur who will be completely against it!

I just had a physical and my doctor informed me they no longer do a rectal prostate exam and just do the PSA. Whatever you get on your first PSA will be your baseline( even if you are on finasteride). If it changes the following year, they will suspect something is wrong and test you further. Luckily, I remember mine before I was on Propecia and it has been the same after 10 years on Propecia.

 

[Jude79]

Thanks for the reply.My potential problem is I've started combing finasteride and dutasteride. Do you think dutasteride (being a more powerful drug) would raise PSA anymore and potentially make getting a reading more difficult?

 

[DoctorHouse]

Thanks for the reply.My potential problem is I've started combing finasteride and dutasteride. Do you think dutasteride (being a more powerful drug) would raise PSA anymore and potentially make getting a reading more difficult?

Like I said, if your PSA gets higher on either drug, you should be suspicious of something. Just remember, these drugs usually shrink your prostate so if your PSA rises on these drugs, you are going to have to have a biopsy or need to have more frequent PSA testing. Most cases of prostate cancer are not very aggressive but the younger you have it, the more likely it will be aggressive. Unfortunately, prostate cancer in men is becoming just as common as breast cancer in women.

 

[Beatlejim]

Thank you Jude for the question and thank you House Doctor for the reply. This is a concern I am currently debating on. I see my oncologist once a year for my checkup which includes PSA and the and rectal exam. I am debating finasteride 1% because my hair is thinning rapidly. House Doctor, you mentioned you have been a Propecia user for 10 years. May I ask what your results have been?

 

[DoctorHouse]

Thank you Jude for the question and thank you House Doctor for the reply. This is a concern I am currently debating on. I see my oncologist once a year for my checkup which includes PSA and the and rectal exam. I am debating finasteride 1% because my hair is thinning rapidly. House Doctor, you mentioned you have been a Propecia user for 10 years. May I ask what your results have been?

I have maintained fairly well but I have never been a great responder. I have lost some density and hairline has creeped higher over the past 10 years.