From FIN to DUT - How to get Blood Test UK?

[Abutton]

Hi. I'm 23, male, UK.

I've been on finasteride for around two years, but decided to switch to dutasteride last week.

Since then, it seems as if my hairline has become much thinner, receding more into a widow's peak. I'm worried the dutagen I switched to (bought from inhousepharmacy) might be fake/weak. However I'm also aware that I could be being paranoid and that the finasteride would probably still be in affect in my system from a week earlier.

Anyway. I'm in the UK and want to know how I can check if my dutagen is legit;

Firstly - how do I go about getting a blood test to check my DHT/testosterone levels; what do I say to my GP? I've been previously regarding MPB aged 18 and he dismissed me, told me to 'get over it... it happens to everyone' (etc.) however I've a new, younger GP I'm hopeful will be more receptive.

Secondly - how long do I need to wait for the fin to be out of my system, so that the results show the effectiveness of the dutagen?

Any replies would be helpful

[garageland]

Firstly why the switch? If fin was working then I don't think you should have. If fin was ineffective then I can understand the change. You may be experiencing a shed from changing the medication, this can happen when you do make such a change. You would be unlikely to see a difference of loosing more hairs to DHT in a week so more than likely a shed.

The fin should be out your system within 48 to 72 hrs. It's unlikely you will get a blood test from the NHS for DHT and test levels unless you make a nuisance of yourself. You could go privately and find a clinic that would be willing to a blood test to see your levels not sure how much you would pay though.

[Abutton]

Firstly why the switch? If fin was working then I don't think you should have. If fin was ineffective then I can understand the change. You may be experiencing a shed from changing the medication, this can happen when you do make such a change. You would be unlikely to see a difference of loosing more hairs to DHT in a week so more than likely a shed.

The fin should be out your system within 48 to 72 hrs. It's unlikely you will get a blood test from the NHS for DHT and test levels unless you make a nuisance of yourself. You could go privately and find a clinic that would be willing to a blood test to see your levels not sure how much you would pay though.

Firstly, thanks for the reply.

The fin worked but I was still receding and thinning, albeit more gradually.

After a lot of research I decided the switch would be worthwhile as it does what fin does only better. I'd also seen that in peer-reviewed medical lit. duta hadn't been shown to be any more dangerous and that the majority of trials had stopped due to the market success of fin.

The NHS have a duty of care; therefore if I express concern about TRT/hormone levels it's their commitment as medical practitioners to pursue it to ensure my health.

However, hypothetically; as I've been off fin for a week now, if the dutasteride I've bought is fake (ineffective) when will I notice the effects of the legit fin wearing off (ie.) the lose of fin protected follicles?

So... if I'm experiencing a shed, it can't be my lack of legit fin or the introduction of possibly fake duta this soon? (I'm simply trying to rule out my dutagen being fake)