How to know if finasteride is causing anxiety?

I’ve been on finasteride since 2011 following fair hair loss in my early 20s. It went great. I’ve lost minimal hair over the course of 9 years. Had a period where I grew some back.

I have been lucky as I have never experienced any apparent sides. Libido and everything all good. No gyno etc.

That being said, I experienced depression in 2014 but worked through it that year. Since then I’ve had on and off anxiety. I was always a little bit anxious but it has been a bit more apparent in recent years. I still live a functional life and have many happy days though. But I’m left wondering am I contributing to my anxiety?

Now I’m left with a dilemma. Do I drop finasteride in hope that it can improve my anxiety. If It doesn’t work then I’m left an anxious mess with no hair but if I don’t do it I’ll never know.

Is there a way I can work out if it’s effecting me?

Thanks.

i thought the same so took a cortisol blood test, nothing wrong, then i took a cortisol urine test which is much more accurate but again no issues, now i’m thinking the anxiety if that is my issue may be caused by estrogen or high progest levels, so i’m waiting to do a blood test on this ..

just to add vit B6 can help lower progest levels so maybe try it and see if it helps or get yourself a blood panel test for it via medichecks..pretty cheap and easy

You need a full blood hormonal panel

TT
FT
LH
FSH
DHT
E2
SHBG
DHEA
CORTISOL
PROGRESTERONE
PREGNENOLONE
TT4
FT4
FT3
TSH

Then we can see exactly what is going

5AR blocks Test to DHT but also Progesterone to Allopregnenolone (the feel good hormone)

Please do this and come back with your bloowork.

If it's hormonal we will find the reason and help you.

Also worth adding that ideally you would have all of these blood tests done without finasteride in your system to get a baseline...what's normal for you can be very different for someone else, the ranges of low to high for certain hormones can be huge so even though you might be within range that could be very high for what your body is used too ...obviously you cant do this now as you are already on Fin but if the anxiety gets too extreme and you do come off you could get them after and see whats changed ....they might pinpoint a hormone which is on the high level but still within range and not obviously causing an issue...if your body has been used to really low but in range progesterone levels for 20 years and then gets bumped up to a high level but still in range it could have a big affect on you but still not initially look like a problem to a Dr.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mustang2

You need a full blood hormonal panel

TT
FT
LH
FSH
DHT
E2
SHBG
DHEA
CORTISOL
PROGRESTERONE
PREGNENOLONE
TT4
FT4
FT3
TSH

Then we can see exactly what is going

5AR blocks Test to DHT but also Progesterone to Allopregnenolone (the feel good hormone)

Please do this and come back with your bloowork.

If it's hormonal we will find the reason and help you.

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I agree that if you experience anxiety, pain, depression, etc. after taking Finasteride, it is better to address a doctor. Also, you can read the description on the online pharmacy ca site. It includes the info about all medications that are sold there.