What labtests should I have before propecia?

[cs2257]

So Im emailing my doctor tomorrow so I can get some lab work done this weekend.

What tests should i have done before starting propecia? Im running the labwork Saturday and then I'm popping pills! Help.

[Dr. Glenn Charles]

I would ask your doctor about liver and kidney function tests and a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) baseline before starting Propecia treatment.

[chrisis]

From my research you need testosterone, estrogen and DHT.

If too little DHT in ratio to testosterone, then there's some opinion that this might indicate the potential for side effects. DHT rises with age and testosterone falls, which might explain why younger guys seem to suffer more.

[cs2257]

I just emailed my doctor about the above. He seems resistant about anything and everything, but Im hoping I can talk some sense into him. Thank you for posts.

[25 going on 65]

Sometimes you just have to talk to a different doctor who will cooperate.

[cs2257]

Sometimes you just have to talk to a different doctor who will cooperate.

True. My GP said no tests were needed. I emailed another doctor I've been to, but he will probably just tell me to go through my GP.

I might have to go outside my network, but I'd really like to start Propecia this weekend...Frustrating as fck

[Dr. Glenn Charles]

You should know what your PSA level is before starting to take Propecia.

[cs2257]

He said no to all tests.

Ridiculous...

[Aames]

He said no to all tests.

Ridiculous...

What a douche. I can't imagine how we have so many uncooperative doctors running around. I walked into my gp to get a blood test to confirm my duta was working and he was extremely friendly and helpful about the whole thing.

[Orion22]

Why one should do blood tests before taking finasteride? There is a range of how much testosterone, dht, etc a man in your specific age should have that proves he is healthy, correct? do we need to compare to exactly what we were before fin?

[Dr. Glenn Charles]

You should have a baseline PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) level done prior to starting medication. When taking Finasteride a patients PSA levels may appear falsely elevated. Doctors use a conversion formula to determine a patients PSA level if the are taking this medication.

[Orion22]

Thanks for the info, dr. Charles.

Could you help me understand what is the consensus of the medical/scientific community regarding finasteride and the "post finasterine syndrome"? Is this something the community acknowledges? Is there a grey area? Is it proven that finasteride is actually poison for some men? It is really hard to find accurate information out there. On one hand anti-finasteride people seem to be too, too extreme and what they say doesn't seem conclusive. On the other hand, pro-finasteride people say that all medications have side effects and people are using finasteride as a scape goat. However I never found so many "anti aspirin" websites out there.

Can you give some non-biased information on this?

Thanks.