Question about blood test

[luke77]

Hey everyone,
I had a blood test the other day for other medical problems (fatigue, depression, etc.) and my testosterone levels were quite low. I have used propecia and then avodart for hair loss and was wondering if either of these medications had been linked to low T levels. It doesn't say anything about it on the prescribing information for either medication, but I know that people have reported stuff thats not on the prescribing information. Itook propecia for about a year starting about 2 years ago and then switched to dutasteride. I took dutasteride consistently for about 7-8 months, but in the last 3 months I've taken it only occassionaly because I hadn't seen much benefit from it. I also have other health problems that could be causing the low T, I just figured I'd check. Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it.

Luke

 

[too bald too furious]

finasteride/dutasteride = Inhibition of DHT not testosterone

 

[drinkrum]

Luke,

Finasteride or dutasteride shouldn't affect T levels. In fact, the drugs may increase T. Nevertheless, have you considered dropping the drugs to see if they exacerbate your depression? Try going totally drug-free for a month or two and then get another drug test for comparison.

D.

 

[ropcat]

Have your depression and fatigue extended for the entire period of time you've been on finasteride & dutasteride? Or is it a more recent phenomenon?

 

[luke77]

Thanks for the responses. The depression developed after I had been on the meds for a while, and fatigue had been an issue before I started on them. I'm still young (only 20) and I think that hair loss at such a young age (started in HS) was a major contributing factor to the depression. I don't think the meds had anything to do with it. I have never tried totally stopping the meds to see what hapens, but I think I may do this now.

Luke

 

[20sometingtoo]

Luke,
Do you run daily? Are you active? I had the same problems, mild depression, sleeplessness, fatigue, etc. I didn't know what to do. I thought it was the finasteride, but it turns out it wasnt. I started running and just being more active. It greatly improved my mood and fatigue problems. Then, about a year later, I stopped and after a month or two the same problems kicked in. Been trying to keep as active as possible since.
It may sound really simple, but trust me, it will work if you arent already pretty active.