How do you tell if you're a healthy canidate for finasteride?

[salvation]

Hi everyone,

I'm 30 years old, my hair has thinned quite a bit all over the top (front to back) but still at a point that if I keep it things would be ok.

Should I have any tests done before going on fin?

Like testosterone levels, dht levels, blood tests?

If for example I had low testosterone does that mean I shouldn't do it?

Things like that.

Thanks!

[awesome1]

Whenever I've posted about my concerns with being a candidate for fin, I get told to take blood tests, but that's awfully vague and I feel like my doctor wouldn't really know what I'm asking for. I too would like a little more clarification in what I'm doing, as I am concerned with messing with my hormones.

[Dan26]

No such thing as a healthy candidate for finasteride.

At most there are certain genetic tests that can determine if you will be a good, moderate or poor responder. None of this can determine if you will experience side effects though.

IMO the main cause for concern in potential fin users would be underlying hormone issues or even mental/emotional problems.

The advantage of bloodtests, and reason why I personally advocate all fin/dut users should have them, is that IF you were to suffer from serious/persistent side effects, baseline hormone/blood tests provide a roadmap for potential treatment plans. It would be of great benefit for a doctor treating your symptoms to know what your natural/baseline hormone levels are.

Also, doctors may be dismissive of your concerns and request of blood tests (happened to me). You can approach this problem in a couple ways. A) Be honest with your doc and hope for the best OR b) Lie to him/her about your overall health situation in an effort to get the tests (ie say you have low sex drive, fatigue, fat gain etc any symptom that would give them reason to tests your hormones)

I'd just be honest with your doctor. You can give them the reason I outlined in the 4th paragraph, or also say you want to make sure fin is doing its job in lowering your DHT (as there are certain genotypes fin doesn't work as well for, which dut works better for, and you don't want to waste your time and follicles finding out if you should be on dut instead).

[burtandernie]

Yeah take it and see what happens

[Notcoolanymore]

take blood tests.

[salvation]

take blood tests.

I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow, do you have any suggestions to what tests I should be asking for?

or anything else I should be asking?

Thanks

[Notcoolanymore]

I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow, do you have any suggestions to what tests I should be asking for?

or anything else I should be asking?

Thanks

I was just trying to be funny responding to awesome1's comment. On the serious note the test others have mentioned taking is one to check your DHT levels.