My Doctor Said I Should Take Propecia at 17 Years Old
Is it ok for a 17 year old to take propecia?
started losing hair at the age of 15 now im 17. i have a NW2.5 with a diffuse pattern leading to NW 6. Hairloss is strong in my mother side of family but they have a diffuse pattern. My dad is a nw3 but the rest of his hair is thick and he is the only one losing hair from his side of family.
if my doctor (GP) says i can take propeica, should i just take it or should i ask him to do some test on me? i have done blood test for FBC (Full blood count including calcium) and thyroid the test showed that i had low iron the reason i have low iron because i have beta thalassemia trait
If my GP says yes i will most likely to take it. i’ve gone desperate when water hits my hair, my scalp is showed too much. i also have anxiety due to hair loss
You should follow your doctor’s advice. Make sure that he takes good bulk measurements of your scalp hair to confirm the diagnosis and establish metrics for miniaturization at different areas of your scalp to see the benefits of the drug on the miniaturized hairs.
Propecia is likely safe to take at 17 years old if you’ve already hit puberty, but taking the medication is a decision between you and your doctor (and a legal adult guardian).
I’m guessing from GP you’re in the UK? That would mean at 17 you don’t need a legal guardian and can make medical consent decisions from 16. It’s pretty rare for UK GPs to prescribe propecia that young though and remember it’s a lot more expensive for branded propecia in the UK so be sure you or your guardian can afford it.
Doc
As much as I enjoy this blog and your open and honest view on the issues raised, it is comments like that which really cause me to question the integrity/quality of your advice.
A 17 year old should not, in my non-medically qualified opinion, take propecia, regardless of his stage of puberty. Studies have shown that the male genitalia and bone structure continue to develop into the early 20s at least as a result of dhts impact on the androgen receptors. I would therefore strongly disagree with your advice and would urge a more considered response to this particular question.
Anyway, great blog! Can’t wait for the cure
Mick
In your self-stated “non-medically qualified” opinion, you question Dr R’s ‘integrity/quality” of advice based on your lack of understanding. Finasteride has no effect on the adult male genitalia (are you thinking of teratogenicity in pregnant women?) and bone structure. Hence, the drug label – in the US, Canada, European Union, and other regulatory region – base on scientific DATA – does not recommend restricted use in a 17 year old. As with all medications that carry risks and benefits, the decision to use finasteride should always be individualized (as a side note, male genetalia are fully developed by age 17).
Shouldn’t he at least have his hormones tested to make sure they’re all normal to begin with?
A quick Free Testosterone plus DHT/Estradiol seems sensible.
Dr L
You can talk about FDA approved studies and propecia til the cows come home.
3 things are certain:
1. Propecia significantly lowers the bodies conversion of testosterone to dht.
2. The male genitalia is not fully developed at 17.
3. Dht is the driving male androgen for the growth of genitalia.
All the other talk about propecias side effects is open to debate and no one really understands what the effect is.
M
All the bantering aside, your low iron disorder can for sure trigger hair loss.
Don’t do it buddy… sure a magic pill would be nice (thought the same thing myself). You know whats better? being healthy.
Hair is to pick up chicks, what happens when you HAVE the chick, but CANT do anything about it.
Don’t mess your bodies hormones up, while they are still unbalanced. I just started getting back hair, and I am in my mid 20’s. That goes to show you that dht still has a role, and your body still changes well past puberty.
@paul
Yes I live I the UK. My GP knows about propeica he even takes it. I will take propecia official branding then maybe go to off branding for cost.
I ASKED my GP if I can take propecia. Most or maybe all GP will never mention Propecia you have to ask them directly. He still haven’t given me propcia I have a blood test appointment then he will consider If I should take it or not.
@mick
I started puberty at a very young age 11 or 12 I started growing a beard at 13. Checked the NHS website about propecia it says I can take it but my GP has to take special care. If my GP says ok i can take it i will take his offer. TBH you really don’t know how I feel you might have idea on how I feel if you are losing your hair but my age just makes me feel depressed I’m like the only bald person in my class Am even scared of having a haircut.
@Robert
My iron is low becuase of beta thalassemia trait. My blood cells are smaller so they require more iron. I will most likly to take 1 iron tablet rest of my life. I also thought my iron was cause of my hair loss but I had low iron when I was 6. It’s not that low its like below average
@Gland
Doing these blood test you mentioned and others FBC etc
@Andy
My main problem is not girls it’s college I feel so loney that I don’t belong their I’m the only bald person all the pupils are the same age as me
Well good luck buddy!