Finasteride tablets for hair loss

Posted by lilbit123 @lilbit123, Jul 9, 2024

Last year I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Since then I’ve had severe hair loss. I’ve tried what feels like everything but I keep losing my hair. Recently my dermatologist prescribed my Finasteride for hair loss. She told my it’s given to men but since I’ve had a hysterectomy it would be safe to take. I’ve done some reading on it and it’s a little concerning. Has any other women tried this and did it help? I’m 2 months in and still losing hair. It said it could take 3 months for men to see a change.

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Hair loss to some extent is normal for older women. I have had Rogaine in multiple forms, none working, and the pill caused unwanted facial hair. I have been taking Finasteride a couple of years and dont think it is helping. Probably will stop if RX not renewed by doc. Also prescribed ketaconzole shampoo- not sure it helps either.

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Profile picture for celina53 @celina53

Thank you! I will try 2.5mg, which I was a bit hesitant to do, but was what the dermatologist prescribed. I do try to eat a healthy diet, and do eat many of the antioxidant foods also.

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I saw my dermatologist at Mayo last week. My oral minoxidil was increased to 5 mg oral minoxidil per day and added 50 mg spirolonactone.

This is my growth over the first six months

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Second attempt to upload

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Profile picture for carlissa0701 @carlissa0701

Is there an update? I'm 87 years old, female, diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (54 gfr), low thyroid (Liothyronine (5 mcg), high blood pressure (losartan 100 mg), DHEA (25 mg), probiotics (2 caps daily), collagen (dissolved in water), just started Jardiance (replacing Furosemide and potassium as Jardiance does not affect kidneys), Quetiapine (25 mg for sleep). I'm losing my hair to the point I will be bald soon if I can't change it. I've looked online at the OTC "hair loss" products I see advertised and it does not appear they work well if at all. Any info will be appreciated. Thanks.

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STOP using the DHEA

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Profile picture for juliafire @juliafire

I am 65 and started having thinning hair a few years ago. I was ready to have hair transplants. I had tried over the counter hair serums (Minoxidil) but had not seen any results. The hair transplant doctor required me to get a scalp biopsy and a full medical panel with an endocrinologist. The biopsy revealed what I thought that my hair loss was genetic. The endocrinologist gave me a clean bill of health to rule out the 10 other reasons for hair loss. The endocrinologist did tell me that taking Finasteride will show increased liver enzymes on blood tests if I choose to take it.
The hair transplant doctor would not see me because he said that since my hair loss was genetic, (early pattern baldness in women), that transplants would not stay. I was referred to a dermatologist that specialized in hair. I had no idea that such a thing existed. In fact, my regular dermatologist told me that there was nothing that could be done for women losing hair due to genetics.
Fast forward a year - I went to the dermatologist for hair. She put me on finasteride and a hair tonic that was made by a compound pharmacy. I use each once a day. I started seeing results in 2 months. A year out and I not only gained back the lost hair, but I actually have hair growing in places that disappeared a long time ago. (widows peak, etc). The cost is very minimal for the medications (approximately $40 a month) and I am thrilled with the results.
When I went for my annual physical, my liver enzymes were up as predicted. The endocrinologist told me that it would be a false reading and not to worry about it. I told my regular doctor that I was taking finasteride, but they still referred me for a liver ultrasound. The ultrasound came out normal and my liver enzymes are still in the normal range, just higher than in the past. I feel good about continuing my hair meds and will continue to do so.
My advice is to see a dermatologist that specializes in hair. I know the finasteride helped but without the serum from the compound pharmacy, I don't think I would have the great results that I have seen. Good luck in your search.

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What was you dose of finasteride?

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Profile picture for juliafire @juliafire

I am 65 and started having thinning hair a few years ago. I was ready to have hair transplants. I had tried over the counter hair serums (Minoxidil) but had not seen any results. The hair transplant doctor required me to get a scalp biopsy and a full medical panel with an endocrinologist. The biopsy revealed what I thought that my hair loss was genetic. The endocrinologist gave me a clean bill of health to rule out the 10 other reasons for hair loss. The endocrinologist did tell me that taking Finasteride will show increased liver enzymes on blood tests if I choose to take it.
The hair transplant doctor would not see me because he said that since my hair loss was genetic, (early pattern baldness in women), that transplants would not stay. I was referred to a dermatologist that specialized in hair. I had no idea that such a thing existed. In fact, my regular dermatologist told me that there was nothing that could be done for women losing hair due to genetics.
Fast forward a year - I went to the dermatologist for hair. She put me on finasteride and a hair tonic that was made by a compound pharmacy. I use each once a day. I started seeing results in 2 months. A year out and I not only gained back the lost hair, but I actually have hair growing in places that disappeared a long time ago. (widows peak, etc). The cost is very minimal for the medications (approximately $40 a month) and I am thrilled with the results.
When I went for my annual physical, my liver enzymes were up as predicted. The endocrinologist told me that it would be a false reading and not to worry about it. I told my regular doctor that I was taking finasteride, but they still referred me for a liver ultrasound. The ultrasound came out normal and my liver enzymes are still in the normal range, just higher than in the past. I feel good about continuing my hair meds and will continue to do so.
My advice is to see a dermatologist that specializes in hair. I know the finasteride helped but without the serum from the compound pharmacy, I don't think I would have the great results that I have seen. Good luck in your search.

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What was is you dose of finasteride

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Profile picture for msturcken @msturcken

What was is you dose of finasteride

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5 mg

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