Doctor, Specialist, or self treatment?

[birchlore]

I was asking my doctor about my potential MPB and she just said that she could get me on a rogaine treatment.

Is it usually best to get treatment through your doctor? I'm just afraid that they might have some out-of-the-box response for all people who are losing their hair ('oh yeah, just try rogaine!). As oppose to doing my own research and ordering online, or speaking with a hair loss specialist?

Thoughts?

[Shan]

Google spex for hair loss to get good info on your next step

[Tracy C]

Is it usually best to get treatment through your doctor?

The best way to go is to see a specialist. You may need to travel to get to a specialist though.

Doing your own research is not the best way to go. The saying "A man who defends himself in court has a fool for a lawyer." applies in much the same way here. A person who self medicates has a fool for a doctor.

[Shan]

My doc didn't know much about hair loss, so i contacted spex who advised propecia, after being charged ridiculous amount by belgravia.

[Nish]

I suppose you could email Spex, but Spex pretty much says what most of us already know. Propecia and Rogaine are probably the best non HT solutions. I would try those first for at least 6 months, and then possibly look at a Hait Transplant.

[Shan]

Spex also has links on where to get meds

[Nish]

Oh I'm not making a knock against Spex in any way. I think he does great work. All I'm saying is that with all the resources we have online, as well as this forum, it's pretty clear that Rogaine (Minoxidil), Propecia (Finasteride) and HT are the solutions for Hair Loss.

Also, if you visit a dermatologist, they can probably give you good reccomendations on where to buy propecia. Mine did.

[Spex]

It's defo best speaking direct to your own GP, few are informed however we find on MPB or treatments

When I am contacted about treatments/medications i simply offer my opinion on the common treatments recommended by the FDA which have been approved for hair loss, as countless guys also do here and on other forums.

The big 3 - which many who reside on the forums soon become aware of with a little reading is a good starting place to help treat the MPB sufferers loss. Definitely speak with your own GP initially and make them aware of your plans to start any hair loss treatment.

Minoxidil 2 and 5% along with Nizoral can be bought over the counter in the UK very easily. ( Boots )

Finasteride can be purchased through your GP if they are prepared to prescribe, but few do as know little about the drug. I have contact info on my site for 2 UK registered GP's in the UK who are well informed on the drug.

Boots (chemist) also provide a "retention programme) which you can look up online in order to get Propecia.

The Belgravia centre in the UK provide legitimate products also but as is mentioned their prices are high. This is because they offer an all-round much more comprehensive service to their patients which many feel more comfortable with and prepared to pay for, as well providing treatments such as higher strength minoxidil's ( 8, 10 and 12.5% with AA ) made in their own labs, which are not available elsewhere.


Hope this helps.
Best
Spex

[25 going on 65]

I was asking my doctor about my potential MPB and she just said that she could get me on a rogaine treatment.

Is it usually best to get treatment through your doctor? I'm just afraid that they might have some out-of-the-box response for all people who are losing their hair ('oh yeah, just try rogaine!). As oppose to doing my own research and ordering online, or speaking with a hair loss specialist?

Thoughts?

The only possible use for your GP in this situation is to get bloodwork done to make sure nothing else is causing your hair loss

[Shan]

The only possible use for your GP in this situation is to get bloodwork done to make sure nothing else is causing your hair loss

Very true, doctors usually have little knowledge regarding hair loss and put it simply down to the ageing process and tell you there is nothing to worry about

[El Nino]

I was asking my doctor about my potential MPB and she just said that she could get me on a rogaine treatment.

Is it usually best to get treatment through your doctor? I'm just afraid that they might have some out-of-the-box response for all people who are losing their hair ('oh yeah, just try rogaine!). As oppose to doing my own research and ordering online, or speaking with a hair loss specialist?

Thoughts?

Which ever way you go about it, you should also research all of the potential side effects of the meds.

Finasteride has the potential for mental side effects as well as sexual. See here for proof - http://www.baldtruthtalk.com/showthread.php?t=12256

You should also be aware that there are many law suits pending against Merck (the company behind Propecia ie Finasteride). So it's FDA approving COULD be removed when more is known about how it interacts with everything.

Good luck with whatever you decide.