April 27 2010, 3:36 pm PT | Posted in: Drugs
Hi…Thanks a lot for this perfect blog that answered many questions that concerns hair loss and balding. I had a HairDX test for Finasteride response and my score of CAG was 24. The dermatologist who did the test told me that I have a negative result regarding finasteride response.
1- What do you think of Hairdx test regarding F.R.?
2- Do you think I should take finasteride though I got CAG of 24 ?Thanks
I do think the HairDX for Finasteride Response test is a good idea, but it can open people up to the idea of taking medication when it is not necessary. Just because the test tells you that your response to finasteride would be good, it doesn’t mean you should automatically get on the drug if you’re not experiencing hair loss. In your case, I don’t even know if you have any degree of balding. Do you have a full head of hair and afraid of going bald or are you already seeing hair loss? If you are bald or have definite signs of balding, then what do you have to lose by taking finasteride regardless of the CAG score? Were you prepared to not take finasteride (Propecia) if the test was negative?
In any case, it is something that needs to be discussed with your doctor who knows you better than I do, as our communication has been limited to an email. If your dermatologist told you the result was negative, perhaps he/she meant you aren’t likely to have great success from the medication. It is worth noting though that you may still see some beneficial response from finasteride with a CAG score of 24. According to HairDX, “Scientists discovered that among men that had the best response to Finasteride approximately 70% had a CAG score below 22 while among men that had a subtle response to Finasteride approximately 70% had a CAG score above 22.”


A trade, in these recessionary times, is difficult. The recession has impacted all forms of cosmetic surgery and hair transplantation is no different. I suppose it is worth a shot if you want to try contacting various clinics, but I wouldn’t expect trading design services for cosmetic surgery to be a tantalizing offer amongst surgeons. It wouldn’t hurt to ask, though.
If the hair loss is from a medication (rare), it can happen in both men and women. In rare cases, Dilantin (phenytoin) is even known to cause body hair growth.
I believe that for some people, the use of both Propecia and minoxidil has value when used in combination, but that may depend upon a variety of factors including age, appropriate use of the medication, where the minoxidil is applied, and where on the head the balding is that you are treating. The crown generally does better with combined treatment compared to the frontal hairline. I have seen patients using both medications with good results after a decade of use.












