Platelet rich plasma for hair loss- My Dr. has offered to do this

I just saw my new Dr. (NMD) for the second time today. He knows I'm fighting AGA and I can't tolerate the sides from the 5ar inhibitors. I just started dutasteride up for about a month now and my free T is down to 1.2%! My total T is relatively high in the 800's. Estrogen was normal but this was only 2 weeks into dutasteride, so I'm guessing it's higher now. SHBG was only 1 away from being high. I've already dropped the dutasteride due to sides again.

He mentioned the platelet rich plasma injections he does on joint injuries for the San Diego Chargers and other NFL players. He said he knows another Dr. in town who is doing this for hair loss for $3,000. I don't have insurance and he would benefit from using my as a guinea pig, so he quoted me $250 to cover the cost of the kit. I didn't ask him how many kits would be needed total. A derma-roller would be needed and I could purchase that as well.

Of course I really have no money for any of this, but it is exciting to know that it is an option for me. I honestly haven't read up too much on it yet. I was thinking I could take pictures and document any progress. If I could get a collection going for the $250 I would definitely take him up on it! Any thoughts or suggestions on 'fund raising'?

Here's some info on the procedure: http://www.hairsite.com/hair-loss-articles/400-platelet-rich-plasma-hair-growth.htm

Hey Paradox,

Sounds interesting, man. I've never heard of this procedure before.

It's a good deal. However, wouldn't expect for it to do much based on some real world testimonials. Here is one positive testimonial however

http://www.worldhairloss.org/index.php/forums/viewthread/184/

Maybe it's a hit or miss....

LA,

I should have looked into it more before I posted. This is from a Dr. doing PRP posted back in 2009.

"It has now been almost 4 months since my PRP treatment and at this point I can't say that I have seen any results. Of all the 36 patients treated, only one has shown some increase in density so far. I am not that impressed at this point with PRP treatment. Hopefully I will see more happy patients over the next few months."

Props for being an honest, forthcoming Dr.

On a side note, check out the results from the artificial hair fibers on diffuse loss: http://www.instanthair.com/photo-album2.html

The last photo is the Dr. himself who's had a transplant. A hair transplant Dr. who openly admits to using hair fibers and PRP not panning out get's an A for honesty in my book. Especially because it looks like he still uses PRP as an adjunct to transplants.

BTW, Dr. Cooley appears to be another doctor that hasn't spoken very highly of PRP.

jdp701 wrote:It's a good deal. However, wouldn't expect for it to do much based on some real world testimonials. Here is one positive testimonial however

http://www.worldhairloss.org/index.php/forums/viewthread/184/

Maybe it's a hit or miss....

I've concluded the same thing jdp... really good deal though. I think it would be a good adjunct for that price. Ahh, I'm just seeing this: "(Dr. Jones is no longer offering PRP treatments as he has not seen satisfactory results from his trial patients.)"

Of course I can still get it from my Dr., but that's not encouraging.

Here's the one patient who got results: http://www.drrobertjones.com/platelet-rich-plasma.html

Judging by his loss on the crown, I'd guess minoxidil would yield similar results on its own.

CS,

Is this PRP the same thing as the injections they do for joint repair? I thought that there were inflammatory agents in the joint procedure? My Dr. says he uses this on athletes but there's no mention of inflammatory agents? I've got a bad shoulder, so maybe the $250 would be better spent injecting it there.

paradox: I think PRP is extremely good for healing, but I guess that's it...

personally I'd love to find some open-minded nurse/doctor willing to experiment some other stuff on me as a guinea pig... like injecting enzymes (serrapeptase, nattokinase, lumbikinase and papain) directly into the scalp... maybe I am too crazy???

Yeah, I think that I was just 'overjoyed' at the prospect of a Dr. willing to experiment. Most Dr.s are afraid to do anything even remotely unorthodox or 'risky'. I guess 'pansy' would be the word I'm looking for .

and they never want their patients to have a word to say about anything. or to ask any questions about their diagnosis or treatment. i hate them.