Intricate Diagnosis Due to Falsely Elevated Testosterone Levels by Immunoassay

Finasteride and Nizoral shampoo with Ketoconazole are used for hair loss treatment. Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) is recommended over Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for more accurate DHT testing.

The user received hormone test results showing normal estradiol and testosterone levels, low SHBG, and normal free androgen index. They are considering starting finasteride but are concerned due to being slightly overweight.

A 20-year-old male has been using finasteride for 7 months and oral minoxidil for 2 months and is planning to check testosterone and estradiol levels. He is seeking advice on additional blood tests to consider.

A 25-year-old male experienced increased testosterone and estradiol levels after starting finasteride for hair loss, leading his doctor to suggest a testicular ultrasound as a precaution. The user questions the necessity of the ultrasound, considering it potentially excessive, while others suggest it could be a useful precaution to rule out any issues.

The DNA Trichotest is considered unreliable for predicting hair loss treatment responses, and topical spironolactone is questioned for its effectiveness and safety in cis males. Finasteride and Dutasteride are recommended as more reliable treatments for androgenic alopecia.

A user on Finasteride for 7-8 years reported unexpectedly high testosterone levels despite expecting lower levels due to age, with discussions on the impact of SHBG and suggestions to use boron to lower SHBG. Another user noted that Dutasteride significantly increased their testosterone and free testosterone levels.