I've been taking finasteride for just over 8 months, but suspect i've developed a mild case of gyno...Is there a specific way through blood tests to determine if finasteride is the cause?...the thing is, I recently had a blood test where my test, estrogen, liver and thyroid were checked, and all I know was that the results were 'normal'.
Finasteride and gynecomastia
- Thread starter DTW
- Start date
Any experts on this topic have any advice?...I don't have the hard/puffy nipples, but more of an accumulation of chest fat (pseudo-gynecomastia). I am far from being an overweight person, but the rapid fat gain in the chest is suspicious. If i go to an endocrinologist, what should i be looking for to ensure my hormone levels are okay?...and is there any medication that could resolve this without surgical intervention? Thanks
Estrogen is part of the problem, but by no means the whole picture. Many men have higher estrogen levels with no problems, and men have seemingly low estrogen levels and develop gyno. There are a number of other substances that are to blame as well, plus the fact that doctors don't entirely know why some men develop it.
A simple hormone test can indicate that your estrogen levels are higher than normal (if you have a previous test to compare to) but that won't really solve much. However, it's still a good idea to talk to your doctor about it. finasteride may be to blame, but it's quite rare to develop gyno from 1mg finasteride. I recall from a study that it occurred in somewhere around 0.3% of patients. However, this may only mean 'true' gyno, with an actual gland growing.
Are you sure you haven't gained any weight since starting? I believe that even if it isn't true gyno, a raise in estrogen from taking finasteride may cause your body to store more fat in your chest area, rather than elsewhere. This would likely not be permanent, since losing weight would likely get rid of this.
If you're already quite thin, on the lower end of the BMI scale, I would be suspicious that finasteride might be causing it. If its actual gland growing, there are supplements you can try (Enden can recommend those). If it's fat, lypo would definitely solve it.
It all depends on how much it's bothering you. If you and your doctor suspect finasteride might be the cause, you have to decide if it's worth continuing the medication or not.
If my story helps, when I started on finasteride I was maybe 30 pounds overweight (210 lbs). I had some gyno then due to the excess fat. I have since lost 20 pounds (plus gained muscle, so probably lost more than 30 pounds of fat) and the gyno has almost completely gone away. That was 7 months ago.
A simple hormone test can indicate that your estrogen levels are higher than normal (if you have a previous test to compare to) but that won't really solve much. However, it's still a good idea to talk to your doctor about it. finasteride may be to blame, but it's quite rare to develop gyno from 1mg finasteride. I recall from a study that it occurred in somewhere around 0.3% of patients. However, this may only mean 'true' gyno, with an actual gland growing.
Are you sure you haven't gained any weight since starting? I believe that even if it isn't true gyno, a raise in estrogen from taking finasteride may cause your body to store more fat in your chest area, rather than elsewhere. This would likely not be permanent, since losing weight would likely get rid of this.
If you're already quite thin, on the lower end of the BMI scale, I would be suspicious that finasteride might be causing it. If its actual gland growing, there are supplements you can try (Enden can recommend those). If it's fat, lypo would definitely solve it.
It all depends on how much it's bothering you. If you and your doctor suspect finasteride might be the cause, you have to decide if it's worth continuing the medication or not.
If my story helps, when I started on finasteride I was maybe 30 pounds overweight (210 lbs). I had some gyno then due to the excess fat. I have since lost 20 pounds (plus gained muscle, so probably lost more than 30 pounds of fat) and the gyno has almost completely gone away. That was 7 months ago.
Thanks Wuffer
I have not gained any weight since starting finasteride. I eat relatively healthy, exercise 3 to 4 times a week, so this is why it leads me to believe finasteride has caused this. My previous test results from my doctor were apparently 'normal' according to him. Test to estrogen were considered within normal ranges. However, I would like to see an endocrinologist to get a more thorough review.
I actually went to see a very respectable plastic surgeon last monday, who seems to believe I have gynecomastia. Even more concerning is that he told me he's performed numerous surgeries on men who have claimed to have developed gyno after using finasteride. And the sick thing is, if I choose to go through with the surgery, (which would include excision and lipo) I could continue to take finasteride with little chance of re-occurence.
I'm debating whether to have the surgery, which would cost me approximately $3200, but until my time to decide if surgery is my only option, i would like to try any other means of getting this under control, whether more exercising, dieting or supplements and/or medication is the answer
I have not gained any weight since starting finasteride. I eat relatively healthy, exercise 3 to 4 times a week, so this is why it leads me to believe finasteride has caused this. My previous test results from my doctor were apparently 'normal' according to him. Test to estrogen were considered within normal ranges. However, I would like to see an endocrinologist to get a more thorough review.
I actually went to see a very respectable plastic surgeon last monday, who seems to believe I have gynecomastia. Even more concerning is that he told me he's performed numerous surgeries on men who have claimed to have developed gyno after using finasteride. And the sick thing is, if I choose to go through with the surgery, (which would include excision and lipo) I could continue to take finasteride with little chance of re-occurence.
I'm debating whether to have the surgery, which would cost me approximately $3200, but until my time to decide if surgery is my only option, i would like to try any other means of getting this under control, whether more exercising, dieting or supplements and/or medication is the answer
I mentioned the exact same thing to the PS regarding the hard lumps under the armpits or nipples, but the response i got was that it's not necessarily the case, most times the hard lumps are what guys get from steroid use. However, I am interested in trying this Andractim gel...Can you PM me a reliable source where to obtain this stuff?..Im in North America. ThanksEnden said:It's not gynecomastia if you don't feel any lumps under the skin, around the nipple and towards the armpits. If you should develop gynecomastia, Andractim will take care of it in no time. It's a DHT gel.
I'm using the All Saints Clinic - which is located at Cyprus;
http://www.allsaintsclinic.org/testosterone-gel.shtml
Slow shipping, but they're legit.
http://www.allsaintsclinic.org/testosterone-gel.shtml
Slow shipping, but they're legit.