Finasteride and Testosterone: What Happens to Your Levels?
Medically reviewed by [Reviewer Name, MD] | Last reviewed: August 2026 | Editorial policy
Bottom line: Finasteride modestly raises total and free testosterone levels while substantially reducing DHT. This is a direct pharmacological consequence of blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Serum testosterone typically rises 10–15% from baseline — remaining within the normal physiological range for most men.
Hormone Changes on Finasteride
| Hormone | Direction of change | Magnitude (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| DHT (serum) | ↓ Decrease | ~65–70% reduction from baseline |
| Total testosterone | ↑ Modest increase | ~10–15% above baseline |
| Free testosterone | ↑ Modest increase | ~10–15% above baseline |
| LH (luteinizing hormone) | ↑ Minor increase | Within normal range |
| FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) | → Minimal change | Essentially unchanged |
| Estradiol | ↑ Minor increase | Within normal range; proposed contributor to gynecomastia risk |
Does Increased Testosterone Cause Problems?
For most men, the modest testosterone increase from finasteride remains well within the normal physiological range and does not cause clinically meaningful effects. Some men with borderline hormone levels notice changes in energy, but this is not a common or well-documented effect in clinical trials.
Finasteride and Testosterone Blood Tests
If you have a testosterone blood test while taking finasteride, inform your ordering physician. The drug’s effect on testosterone should be accounted for when interpreting results — borderline-high testosterone in a man on finasteride is essentially pharmacological, not pathological.
See: How finasteride works | Side effects | Sexual side effects | Gynecomastia risk