I saw my dermatologist today...

[Skaff]

and ended up getting a script for Proscar...but it wasn't easy. Actually, it was pretty easy but I only got it after a enduring a long and cryptic talk. Basically, he wanted to absolve himself of any responsibility should something go wrong. It basically went like this:

Based on family history and my age (23 but look much younger) he's not convinced I have male pattern baldness.

He thinks it is more likely to be Telogen Effluvium and suggested I get a scalp biopsy to check. However, he admitted biopsies are often inconclusive and it was totally up to me if I wanted one.

Just a side note: Turns out Telogen Effluvium can look exactly like male pattern baldness...ie you can have Telogen Effluvium and not lose hair from the back and sides.

His main concern was that when I eventually get off finasteride my hair count will be lower than it would have been if I was never on it. He say's no study (and I think he's right) can prove what would have happened vs what actually happened.

He was very concerned about putting me on finasteride when it's not certain I have male pattern baldness but, again, suggested there was no real way to tell what I have.

He didn't seem concerned about sexual side effects and reckons claims about loss of libido make no sense as finasteride doesn't reduce testosterone (but isn't DHT important for libido?). Never mentioned anything about gyno or anything like that and he wasn't interested in doing any blood work.

So I didn't leave the appointment feeling great. I don't like the thought of being on finasteride when I may not need it, especially since it's such a long term commitment. The natural reaction is to want to believe I do have Telogen Effluvium but my gut feeling is that it's male pattern baldness and the sooner I treat it the better.

This may be of interest some some people:
Regarding dosage...based on new research he's read, he recommended I take half a Proscar twice a week. Apparently it's just as effective as 1 or 1.25mg daily. In fact, he said a study conducted in Melbourne (Australia) reported one Proscar once a week was equally effective. This may be handy for those of you tired of chopping your pills into a million pieces.

OK...so my battle begins today!...I just hope I'm fighting the right enemy.

 

[Guest]

Hey,

Those were some interesting tidbits at the end of your post. You should post pictures of where you think you are thinning/receding to get some other opinions. Good luck to you. BTW are you from the US? If you are, generic Proscar is avaiable now at pharmacies. Its a bit cheaper if you do decide to go the finasteride route.

 

[barnabas]

Amazing, your dermatologist actually seems like a great guy! Mine sure was a turdling.

 

[KR78]

1 proscar a week looks very good saves the hassel of using pill cutter

 

[Paul December]

Whats "Telogen Effluvium"? :?

 

[powersam]

hmm the only studies done in melbourne in recent times have been on prostate cancer and BPH rather than androgenic alopecia. did he tell you anything more about hte study?

 

[KR78]

Telogen Effluvium

As taken from the site "A condition resulting in general thinning of the hair over a period of months. Often called "shedding", it is most commonly experienced by those who have just given birth, or are undergoing Chemotherapy."

 

[bubka]

i would not recommend that dosage, it would be the same as taking 1mg 2x a week, do the 1.25 daily, and skip a 5th day if you really want

then again, i have not seen this "study" which is curious that it has not shown up here

 

[r1989]

I could very well have Telogen Effluvium too but I'm still on finasteride. I'm not just gonna sit around and wait to see if its Telogen Effluvium or male pattern baldness, so that's why I'm taking it now to be safe. As far as I know there's no harm in taking finasteride even if its not male pattern baldness.

 

[Skaff]

I could very well have Telogen Effluvium too but I'm still on finasteride. I'm not just gonna sit around and wait to see if its Telogen Effluvium or male pattern baldness, so that's why I'm taking it now to be safe. As far as I know there's no harm in taking finasteride even if its not male pattern baldness.

It's a difficult situation. If your hair gets better it could be the finasteride or it could just be you recovering from Telogen Effluvium over time. So you could have your scalp tested...but those tests aren't great. Or you could wait 6 months to see if you hair improves without meds...but run the risk of losing more hair if you have male pattern baldness.

 

[Skaff]

hmm the only studies done in melbourne in recent times have been on prostate cancer and BPH rather than androgenic alopecia. did he tell you anything more about hte study?

I can't remember if he said the name of the place or not. All I remember him saying is there's this place in Melbourne that's very keen on hair research (I don't think it was a university...maybe an institute) and they've come up with these findings. My script says, Proscar 1/2 tablet twice a week so I'm just gonna take his word for it.

 

[r1989]

It's a difficult situation. If your hair gets better it could be the finasteride or it could just be you recovering from Telogen Effluvium over time. So you could have your scalp tested...but those tests aren't great. Or you could wait 6 months to see if you hair improves without meds...but run the risk of losing more hair if you have male pattern baldness.

Yeah, that's what my dermatologist said. If my hair starts regrowing then I won't know what the reason is. But I just don't want to take the chance, because if it really is genetic loss, then my hair sure as hell isn't waiting.