So I tried to get blood tests and a prescription for finasteride today..

[Plan C]

Visited my local GP today. Spoke to a doctor, requesting a prescription for finasteride (as I'm close to running out) and blood tests to determine whether or not the finasteride I was currently taking was having the desired effect on my DHT levels.

The doctor looked me up and down and said I didn't look as if I was balding. I told him that I had been using minoxidil since I was 16, plus I styled my hair in a fashion that hid receding on my temples.

He asked me where I got my finasteride. I said online; he warned me to stop self-medicating. He went on to say that he could not prescribe finasteride, nor conduct blood tests, as a precaution. I reasoned with him that my father had begun to experience aggressive hairloss at roughly 21 and that I was currently 20 and that surely preventative measures were surely more effective than tackling hairloss once it had fully kicked in. Nevertheless, he told me to return when I was 'clearly balding'.

Ffs.

 

[Diffuser44]

Visited my local GP today. Spoke to a doctor, requesting a prescription for finasteride (as I'm close to running out) and blood tests to determine whether or not the finasteride I was currently taking was having the desired effect on my DHT levels.

The doctor looked me up and down and said I didn't look as if I was balding. I told him that I had been using minoxidil since I was 16, plus I styled my hair in a fashion that hid receding on my temples.

He asked me where I got my finasteride. I said online; he warned me to stop self-medicating. He went on to say that he could not prescribe finasteride, nor conduct blood tests, as a precaution. I reasoned with him that my father had begun to experience aggressive hairloss at roughly 21 and that I was currently 20 and that surely preventative measures were surely more effective than tackling hairloss once it had fully kicked in. Nevertheless, he told me to return when I was 'clearly balding'.

Ffs.

Just typical doctors protocol probably. I forget what your hairline looks like. How quickly did your dad go bald?

 

[hellouser]

Visited my local GP today. Spoke to a doctor, requesting a prescription for finasteride (as I'm close to running out) and blood tests to determine whether or not the finasteride I was currently taking was having the desired effect on my DHT levels.

The doctor looked me up and down and said I didn't look as if I was balding. I told him that I had been using minoxidil since I was 16, plus I styled my hair in a fashion that hid receding on my temples.

He asked me where I got my finasteride. I said online; he warned me to stop self-medicating. He went on to say that he could not prescribe finasteride, nor conduct blood tests, as a precaution. I reasoned with him that my father had begun to experience aggressive hairloss at roughly 21 and that I was currently 20 and that surely preventative measures were surely more effective than tackling hairloss once it had fully kicked in. Nevertheless, he told me to return when I was 'clearly balding'.

Ffs.

Your doctor is an idiot, lol. I'd stop seeing him for further health concerns.

Although to be honest, most general practitioners are idiots on the topic of hair loss. The ignorance on hair loss however extends well beyond general practitioners anyway, I mean... some people think baldness is caused by wearing HATS.

 

[Notcoolanymore]

I just wrote this on BTT:

See a different Doctor. That's my plan. I should have no problem getting my Dr. to write me another prescription, but if he does refuse and his only reason is because he doesn't believe in it, then I will go to somebody else.

I will say that you are kind of young though, so if that was part of the reason why he refused, then I can see his point. Catching and treating hair loss early is essential though. You don't want to show up a NW6 and hope to get back to NW1.

...and what Hellouser said is correct. It is amazing that dr's know so little about such a common problem.

 

[Plan C]

Just typical doctors protocol probably. I forget what your hairline looks like. How quickly did your dad go bald?

I'm probably a NW1 at the moment but my father was an NW3 by 21. I can already feel my hairloss getting more aggressive. Have been on finasteride for 6 months, Revita for 6 months and Regaine since forever but my temples have started to recede. This is why I was keen to get a blood test.

- - - Updated - - -

Your doctor is an idiot, lol. I'd stop seeing him for further health concerns.

Although to be honest, most general practitioners are idiots on the topic of hair loss. The ignorance on hair loss however extends well beyond general practitioners anyway, I mean... some people think baldness is caused by wearing HATS.

He admitted to not knowing much and said that, if my hairloss was obvious, he would recommend me to a dermatologist rather than trying to aid me himself. Still, a really disappointing result.

- - - Updated - - -

I just wrote this on BTT:

See a different Doctor. That's my plan. I should have no problem getting my Dr. to write me another prescription, but if he does refuse and his only reason is because he doesn't believe in it, then I will go to somebody else.

I will say that you are kind of young though, so if that was part of the reason why he refused, then I can see his point. Catching and treating hair loss early is essential though. You don't want to show up a NW6 and hope to get back to NW1.

...and what Hellouser said is correct. It is amazing that dr's know so little about such a common problem.

I suppose I will try another local doctor. The issue is that, as a NW1, it's not clear that I'm going bald so it's difficult to persuade anyone to prescribe me anything or conduct tests.

 

[Diffuser44]

You're determined to stay Norwood 1!

 

[Plan C]

You're determined to stay Norwood 1!

I truly am! I'm going to hop on RU soon as well; prevention is the the best policy in my eyes.