Case 18-2018: A 45-Year-Old Woman with Hypertension, Fatigue, and Altered Mental Status

The conversation is about the use of peptide therapies for hair loss, specifically GHK-CU, ZN-Thymulin, and PTD-DBM. The user is seeking feedback on the effectiveness of these treatments from those who have tried them.

The user has been taking 1mg finasteride daily for a year with no improvement in hair loss and reports low cortisol levels, sleep issues, and anxiety changes. The conversation includes discussions on the potential effects of finasteride on cortisol and neurosteroids, with suggestions to consult a doctor and consider other factors.

A 57-year-old man with male pattern hair loss and insulin resistance experienced hair regrowth and weight loss after using tirzepatide, without other hair treatments. Dysregulated glucose metabolism is linked to hair loss, with tirzepatide potentially improving hair density by normalizing insulin resistance.

Corticosterone inhibits GAS6, affecting hair follicle stem-cell activity, with potential implications for stress-related hair loss. Ashwagandha and Vitamin K are suggested for reducing cortisol, but their effectiveness is debated.

The user experienced severe side effects from finasteride, including hormonal imbalances and cognitive issues, leading to a recommendation to stop its use. They plan to follow up with tests to rule out a pituitary tumor and are considering topical treatments as alternatives.

OP is using 5% minoxidil and a foligain supplement for hair loss, with blood test results showing high cortisol levels. OP is considering starting finasteride, while another user shares their experience with finasteride and hair loss challenges due to malabsorption issues.