Effect of 1 mg/day finasteride on concentrations of serum prostate-specific antigen in men with androgenic alopecia: a randomised controlled trial
January 2007
in “Lancet Oncology”
TLDR Taking 1 mg/day finasteride for hair loss significantly lowers PSA levels in men, which may affect prostate cancer screening.
In a study from 17 years ago involving 318 men aged 40-60 with androgenic alopecia, taking 1 mg/day finasteride for 48 weeks resulted in a significant median decrease in serum PSA concentrations by 40% in men aged 40-49 and 50% in men aged 50-60. The placebo group showed no change in the younger age group and a 13% increase in the older age group. The study concluded that recommendations for adjusting serum PSA concentration in prostate-cancer screening for men taking finasteride should also apply to those taking 1 mg/day for hair loss. The study highlighted the need for further research to understand the long-term effects of finasteride on PSA levels and prostate cancer detection.
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Cited in this study
research The Long-Term Effect of Doxazosin, Finasteride, and Combination Therapy on the Clinical Progression of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Combination therapy of doxazosin and finasteride safely and effectively reduces benign prostatic hyperplasia progression risk.
research Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia
Finasteride safely and effectively treats male pattern hair loss, but may cause reversible sexual issues and harm male fetuses.