Can I get DHT bloodwork on the NHS (UK)?

[unk]

Hey guys,

I had never seen a GP about my hair loss before, as I was too embarrassed, so research led me to purchase and begin FDA medication.

I've been using fin/minox/niz for just over 12 months, and funny story, I went on vacation for 16 days and somehow forgot all my medications (the irony of forgetting the only thing I wanted to remember). I should also mention i'm a very chilled guy, and so I researched about this amount of time off the medication based on the dose-response which I had forgotten. I however was less chilled when I stumbled upon post-finasteride syndrome, which led me to listen to almost every one of Spencer's shows that I could find archived until I had some peace of mind, which I found, thank you Spencer. Anyway, as you could guess, I didn't die without the drug (more like I had 16 days on a viagra placebo if you wanted to know), but now I understood the importance of blood work pre-finasteride as spencer had recommended to gain an insight into drug personalisation.

The moment I got home I took a dose, but I still wanted to see a GP now. I went to the GP, she hadn't heard of finasteride, propecia, or proscar. She made me make another appointment with another doctor.

It was also a first time for the next GP, though at least she didn't just pass me onto somebody else, she listened. Either way they both made it clear they didn't prescribe anything for hair loss, in fact it was more like the cliche "there's nothing we can do for you son, move on with your life" type of snub. 15 minutes later once I had informed the doctor about my situation, and the relevant pharmacology of finasteride and minoxidil, she felt undermined that I was treating myself without clinical guidance. Since she didn't know what finasteride was, I wasn't surprised she didn't know anything about DHT testing under the NHS, or if it existed, they certainly weren't willing to offer it. Since I had high blood pressure she was generously willing to test my testosterone, despite further explanations in vain - brilliant.

What do I do now?

[Kirby_]

It was also a first time for the next GP, though at least she didn't just pass me onto somebody else, she listened. Either way they both made it clear they didn't prescribe anything for hair loss, in fact it was more like the cliche "there's nothing we can do for you son, move on with your life" type of snub. 15 minutes later once I had informed the doctor about my situation, and the relevant pharmacology of finasteride and minoxidil, she felt undermined that I was treating myself without clinical guidance. Since she didn't know what finasteride was, I wasn't surprised she didn't know anything about DHT testing under the NHS, or if it existed, they certainly weren't willing to offer it. Since I had high blood pressure she was generously willing to test my testosterone, despite further explanations in vain - brilliant.

What do I do now?

I can't help in this situation as I've experienced exactly the same - asked GPs for private (non-NHS) prescription for generic fin, and for bloodwork, and was turned away, told just accept your hairloss kind of thing. I had to get my finasteride through Boots, where you can buy branded Propecia without a doctor but with just a pharmacy staff member working through a questionnaire, and having no understanding of what the drug is, like it is a vitamin tablet or whatever. I don't like doing it this way, it's not a particularly 'safe' means of using a hairloss treatment seeing as I have to take lots of other medication anyway. I understand why the NHS doesn't pay for Propecia or whatever, but the unsympathetic attitude and total lack of knowledge of all those GPs was depressing.

(FWIW, I've had a lot of raw deals from NHS GPs in my time about plenty of other help issues, having a disability like I do, you do get treated like dirt by the medical profession in this country, unfortunately.)

[unk]

Thanks for reading my long post, and for your reply Kirby. You have helped just by sharing.

It could therefore be a nationwide lack of hair loss education for clinicians in the UK. From seeing this forum, and how the guys feel, health care clinicians have got it wrong, though I can understand they learn about the approved drugs for illnesses they are quota'd to learn. It seems pretty dangerous to me that this ignorance to hair loss and FDA treatments can cast away a guy alone. Perhaps if I had forced it they would have referred me to a derm, doctors love to refer - GP's after all are jack of all illnesses, masters of none.

I did read another guy, perhaps spex, who recommend a doctor who provides DHT testing for patients. It's not easy for me to travel however, working 2 jobs and studying for my masters.

[Dazza]

Thanks for reading my long post, and for your reply Kirby. You have helped just by sharing.

It could therefore be a nationwide lack of hair loss education for clinicians in the UK. From seeing this forum, and how the guys feel, health care clinicians have got it wrong, though I can understand they learn about the approved drugs for illnesses they are quota'd to learn. It seems pretty dangerous to me that this ignorance to hair loss and FDA treatments can cast away a guy alone. Perhaps if I had forced it they would have referred me to a derm, doctors love to refer - GP's after all are jack of all illnesses, masters of none.

I did read another guy, perhaps spex, who recommend a doctor who provides DHT testing for patients. It's not easy for me to travel however, working 2 jobs and studying for my masters.

My first GP was terrible. Told me I was absolutely fine and I should just eat more melon. I'm not even joking. Needless to say I left that GP that day. My new GP had a in house dermatologist. Was seen by her the following day and had the full works, blood tests and testosterone tests. After getting my results she pretty much confirmed the worst, MPB. but she was a absolute gem, she understood my concern and put me on fin. Not only that she went out of her way to find me the cheapest option and put me on the generic stuff which saved me alot of cash. This I payed something silly like £11-£12 max for 3 packs, which I cut up into 5th. Just under a year supply.

If you are just told to deal with it or to get over it and refused a prescription I highly recommend you moving to a new GP. Costs nothing to get a new GP.

[unk]

Apologies, i've been away for a while.
Thanks for your reply Dazza. Wearing the melon on your head, I heard that works too Alright, so tracking down a derm is my port of call from your experience. Thats good, thanks for that. Lucky I don't mind paying the annual finasteride costs, though a few weeks ago I got finpecia from Dr Singh's site, and it was double what it was the year before (220 or something), so perhaps a prescription is overdue.

Unfortunately I live in a town where there is one doctors surgery, and I reckon they've given me a run at the possibly 3 doctors available there, but I will broaden my search. Thanks again Dazza, I'll keep you posted.

[Kirby_]

I'm wondering if it's even worth phoning up some GP surgeries and asking if they prescribe finasteride for hairloss. Never done that myself, mind - I know the NHS, for all its positive aspects, isn't as conductive for patients 'shopping around' as other models of delivering universal healthcare.

Perhaps consider approaching private dermatologist/trichologist if there's one nearby, they might not charge too much, and may be even able to write back to your NHS GP to ask about getting the bloodwork done. I've use private treatment in the past (for non-hairloss purposes) and was pleasantly surprised how often and comprehensively they liaised with my NHS GP.