Propecia/Finasteride sides update - doctor visit

[stamina123]

Hey, i wish you the best of luck.

[chrisis]

Thanks, you too.

[chrisis]

Update:

I went to the doctor's a couple of weeks ago, and she basically told me the endocrinologist department didn't want to take this any further, because my blood tests did not indicate any problem as far as they're concerned.

As helpful and nice as my doctor was, she said she couldn't really do much more, although she said she'd be happy to run more tests if my researched turned up anything that was worth looking at.

All of this said, I've actually noticed some sustained improvement in my situation lately. Over the past year, I'd sometimes experience temporary respite, however symptoms would soon return and it would be back to square one. Because of this, I've been hesitant to report that I have felt quite a lot better for several weeks now. The only thing I've changed is adding supplements, after my hair transplant. Maybe they're helping, I don't know.

For anyone watching this thread and wondering what I'm taking:

Biotin
Vitamin B-Complex
and
Perfectil

[clandestine]

Unfortunate to hear you're still suffering, chrisis. Reaching out to you with my best, stay strong and remain positive. Hope you're recovering well from the HT!

[Henkeh91]

Thanks for sharing!

I'm going to visit a doctor later this week and probably get finasteride but after reading this tread I'm not really sure if I want to start with finas.

I'm in a period where my hair loss is taking over my mind. I can't stop thinking about it and I even dream about it. The depression is pretty bad at the moment and I think I'm going to give finas change and hope that the sides won't appear.

Im 22 years old btw

[Cr779]

Update:

I went to the doctor's a couple of weeks ago, and she basically told me the endocrinologist department didn't want to take this any further, because my blood tests did not indicate any problem as far as they're concerned.

As helpful and nice as my doctor was, she said she couldn't really do much more, although she said she'd be happy to run more tests if my researched turned up anything that was worth looking at.

All of this said, I've actually noticed some sustained improvement in my situation lately. Over the past year, I'd sometimes experience temporary respite, however symptoms would soon return and it would be back to square one. Because of this, I've been hesitant to report that I have felt quite a lot better for several weeks now. The only thing I've changed is adding supplements, after my hair transplant. Maybe they're helping, I don't know.

For anyone watching this thread and wondering what I'm taking:

Biotin
Vitamin B-Complex
and
Perfectil

Hey, that's awesome to hear. I remember when I was quitting and really scared I wouldn't recover I did a lot of reading about diets and stuff. From what I remember going on a mostly paleo diet helped a lot of people and I did that while I was quitting, I don't know if it helped or not, but I did end up recovering fully. Just white meat, fish, nuts and veggies. Lots of water, no caffeine or alcohol(which was hard to cut out) Also have you tried the broccoli treatment? Boil a cereal bowl worth of broccoli, eat it and then drink the water you boiled it in. Even if it doesn't help its great for your health. I hear broccoli helps keep estrogen in check so maybe that the key factor in its success. Keep thinking positive from some of the recovery stories I've read you seem to be on the right path with the cycles of good and bad but the good ones getting longer each time. I know some guys had that for a few years and eventually the good cycles just got longer and longer till they clicked and stayed in the good.

[dannyfc]

I've been off now for 2 months and my libido still hasn't recovered. Living nightmare at the minute, however, I'm not showing any symptoms of gyno which is good.

The NHS doctor didn't provide any help besides telling me I'm depressed, so I've booked into a private urologist to see if they can provide any treatment.

Serum Testosterone Level was 13.1 mnol/L, which is in range but seems low. Considering I used to be able to get it up at least 2/3 times a day prior to taking Finastride, this is pretty horrendous for me.

[chrisis]

Hi dannyfc, try not to be too down. Time is your best friend in this situation and 2 months is still quite early. I am slowly recovering after a year off the drug.

Have you considered zinc, b-vitamin and biotin supplements. I noticed some improvement when I took these.

Please report back what the urologist says. I came to a brick wall when I was seeking help.

[chrisis]

. I know some guys had that for a few years and eventually the good cycles just got longer and longer till they clicked and stayed in the good.

Hi Cr779, sorry for the delay and thanks for your comments. Things are still improving so I feel good I'll try the broccoli!

[dannyfc]

Hi dannyfc, try not to be too down. Time is your best friend in this situation and 2 months is still quite early. I am slowly recovering after a year off the drug.

Have you considered zinc, b-vitamin and biotin supplements. I noticed some improvement when I took these.

Please report back what the urologist says. I came to a brick wall when I was seeking help.

Good to hear you're recovering, as long as it's possible I should be able to hold myself together. It's all the murmurs of permanent damage that makes me despair, I just want to back to who I was regardless of the state of my hair. At what point did you notice real improvement?

I'm taking Zinc + Magnesium, Fish Oil, Biotin and Ashwagandha. Lifting weights 3 times a week. Eating brocolli everyday with plenty of nuts and meat. I think it's improved my cognitive state but done nothing for my libido as far as I can tell.

I've gotten quotes from four or five different consultants so will probably have an appointment sometime in the next couple of weeks. I'll let you know if I get anywhere, any suggestions what tests to specifically ask for? I've read that testosterone isn't necessarily the issue, more DHT and high estrogen related. Can sympthasize the brick wall feeling, both NHS GPs completely disregarded any possiblity of it being Finastride/Hormone related. Just means I'll have to find the answers out of my own pocket I guess.

Appreciate the reply, feeling a little lost at the minute so cheers.

[chrisis]

At what point did you notice real improvement?

I've gotten quotes from four or five different consultants so will probably have an appointment sometime in the next couple of weeks. I'll let you know if I get anywhere, any suggestions what tests to specifically ask for? I've read that testosterone isn't necessarily the issue, more DHT and high estrogen related..

I noticed gradual improvement over the space of a year (ongoing), but there have been highs and lows along the way. I have experienced despair and relief, coming and going.

I'm no expert on what tests you require, but I personally wonder if it's the ratio between testosterone and DHT that matters. Apparently there's some magic number. If DHT is too low in relation to testosterone and you lower DHT, then perhaps that is what causes side effects. Excuse the speculation but this is probably more than a doctor can theorise.

Please report back about how you get on!

[dannyfc]

After further research I've booked an appointment with a Endocrinologist rather than a Urologist for this Wednesday. Specialises in Hypopituitarism so may get some insight rather than simply being told it's all in my head.

[UK_]

If thou must tread, tread carefully.

I would suggest to ANYONE considering taking propecia to have a full blood work done before you start the treatment, I would even go as far as having 2 or 3 to gain a good understanding of your hormonal profile, it's always better to walk into a room with the light turned on.

What do you think Chrisis?

[chrisis]

I would suggest to ANYONE considering taking propecia to have a full blood work done before you start the treatment, I would even go as far as having 2 or 3 to gain a good understanding of your hormonal profile, it's always better to walk into a room with the light turned on.

What do you think Chrisis?

I completely agree! I wish I'd been given such solid advice, but at least there is more awareness on these forums now.

Good luck with the endocrinologist dannyfc, let us know what they say.

[dannyfc]

So I saw the Endocrinologist today. Agreed that my testosterone was low, and would look at possible treatment to rectify that.

Ordered thyroid test (incl. pituitary), vitamin d test and tesosterone serum tests. Said it could be a case that my free testosterone is OK, but something else is knocking things out of balance. Be interesting to see if anything has improved in the 2 months since my last standard blood test.

Should know the results by Monday. ****ing pricey but at least I know I'm getting somewhere now, was booked in for another NHS consultation the following Wednesday so should hopefully be able to put some of these results to him.