Effect of 1 mg/Day Finasteride on Concentrations of Serum Prostate-Specific Antigen in Men With Androgenic Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
December 2006
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.