Female (37) experiencing hair loss for 5 years, tried max dose of spiro and oral + topical minox without success. Discovered low cortisol and low DHEA levels, seeking functional medicine practitioner for help.
A user asked if taking a blood test 3 days after starting finasteride would affect the results for Estradiol, FSH, SHBG, Progesterone, and DHEA-S. The conversation is about the timing of blood tests after beginning finasteride treatment.
27-year-old female experiences aggressive hair thinning and hirsutism despite normal testosterone levels. Spironolactone and 2% minoxidil were ineffective; high DHEA sulfate levels may be the cause.
The conclusion of the conversation is that some individuals may experience a condition called reactionary hypergonadism when taking dutasteride for hair loss. This condition can lead to an increase in testosterone levels, which may worsen hair loss instead of improving it.
The conversation discusses the effectiveness of hair loss treatments, specifically finasteride and dutasteride. The conclusion is that dutasteride significantly reduces DHT levels and may be more effective than finasteride for long-term hair retention, with some users reporting personal experiences and side effects.
The conversation suggests that people should consult a dermatologist to understand their type of hair loss before starting treatments like finasteride or dutasteride, especially if they have autoimmune issues or low DHT. Some participants believe in starting treatment like finasteride immediately if hair loss is due to DHT, while others recommend ruling out other causes and considering minoxidil first, especially for younger individuals.
The potential effects of dutasteride on hair loss, with some users reporting it improved their hairline while others experienced worsened hair loss or shedding. Other treatments discussed include minoxidil and finasteride, as well as RU58841.
A user's experience with hair loss treatments such as finasteride, ketoconazole, and oral minoxidil that have not yielded any results; other users suggest shaving the head or getting a wig, while others offer additional advice such as seeing a dermatologist, checking thyroid levels, switching to dutasteride and adding needling, and trying stemoxydine.
A user's experience with using 5AR inhibitors (Finasteride and Dutasteride) in combination with Minoxidil foam and microneedling, which resulted in substantial improvements to their crown density and hairline, despite high systemic levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone.
A 27-year-old woman with androgenic alopecia is losing hair despite using oral minoxidil and spironolactone, and is considering dutasteride. She is exploring causes like stress and medication side effects, planning tests, and considering treatment changes.
A 22-year-old male has been using finasteride, topical minoxidil, and oral minoxidil for hair loss but sees minimal improvement and is considering adding dutasteride. Users suggest additional treatments like dermarolling, PRP, and consulting a dermatologist, or considering a hair transplant.
A 29-year-old woman is experiencing gradual hair thinning since age 15, suspects Androgenic Alopecia, and has tried 5% minoxidil with little success. She has purchased various hair loss treatments including minoxidil, dutasteride, finasteride, and spironolactone, but is cautious about starting them due to potential interactions with her ADHD medication.
The user recovered from Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS) using a specific hormone protocol after trying finasteride and dutasteride. They now help others with PFS by reviewing blood work and offering personalized advice.
A user shared their experience of hair loss progression after one year on dutasteride, expressing disappointment with no improvement and considering other treatments like RU58841. Other users offered mixed responses, some seeing no change, others suggesting the hair loss might have been worse without treatment, and discussing the role of testosterone and DHT in hair loss.
The conversation is about whether testing for free DHT is necessary before starting Finasteride for hair loss, despite having other hormone tests available. One person suggests that genetic response to DHT is more important than DHT levels and advises starting Finasteride without the free DHT test.
User shares 1-year progress using topical finasteride and minoxidil for hair loss, with positive results. Some users discuss trying topical dutasteride and varying dosages, while others share their experiences and ask about specific products.
A 29 year old female with hair loss issues that have been linked to PCOS; the user has started taking Spironolactone and iron supplements in hopes of regrowing their hair, but is wondering if it's too late.
A person noticed increased hair thinning after changing their workout routine from cycling to weightlifting, which also coincided with a rise in testosterone levels. They are considering stopping intense workouts, switching to yoga, cutting out caffeine, and re-evaluating after a few months to see if it improves their hair condition.
Checking vitamin and hormone levels is important for addressing hair loss, as deficiencies in vitamin D, zinc, and iron can affect hair growth. Treatments like finasteride, minoxidil, and vitamin supplements are used, but addressing deficiencies is crucial for effectiveness.
The conversation discusses a user's progress after 4 months of using 1.25mg finasteride daily, minoxidil, and dermarolling to treat hair thinning, particularly on the sides and crown. The user believes finasteride made the most difference, and they share tips on managing hair loss and tracking progress.
The user reported early stage diffuse hair thinning and increased DHT levels after 4 weeks on Finasteride and 8 weeks on Finasteride plus 4 weeks on Dutasteride, despite the medications being authentic and stored properly. They are considering increasing their Dutasteride dosage due to the lack of side effects and are unsure if the treatment is helping their hair.
A person considering finasteride for hair loss checked their hormone levels before starting treatment. They are concerned about the potential increase in estradiol and its effects, as well as the impact on their sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and free testosterone levels.
A user on dutasteride and oral minoxidil for two years reports worsening hair loss and is seeking advice. Suggestions include consulting a professional for underlying causes, acknowledging that treatments don't work for everyone, and considering dosage adjustments or additional treatments.
The user was diagnosed with DUPA and initially treated with finasteride, then switched to dutasteride which worsened their hair loss. They are now returning to finasteride and adding treatments including oral minoxidil, Proscar, Viviscal, pumpkin seed oil, LLLT, and Nizoral shampoo, hoping for hair regrowth.
A user's plan to use Zix and topical finasteride (5AR inhibitors) for hair loss, followed by blood testing before/after. The user has suggested creating a fund to cover part of the cost of their blood tests. Replies to their post discuss the effectiveness of the treatments.
Female with aga tried minoxidil 5% and spironolactone, no success yet. Gladyator96 suggests waiting 6 months, adding tretinoin or dermarolling with minoxidil.
The user shared their personal experience with hair loss, hormone imbalances, and treatments including testosterone boosters, natural estrogen blockers, and DHEA. They suggest that low-dose finasteride and natural hormone therapy could reduce hair loss with fewer side effects.
The user discusses their hair loss experience, exploring various hypotheses including thyroid levels, vitamin D, DHEA, nutritional deficiency, diabetes, seborrheic dermatitis, lack of nutrition to hair follicles, chronic inflammation, female pattern hair loss causes, cortisol, and prolactin levels. They are currently using finasteride, beta-sitosterol, and have tried topical dutasteride and microneedling therapy.
A user started taking 1mg finasteride for hair loss and plans to follow a thrice-weekly dosing schedule recommended by two doctors. They previously used saw palmetto without issues and are hopeful finasteride won't cause sexual side effects.
The conversation discusses a last-resort hair loss treatment combining topical finasteride, minoxidil, melatonin, and progesterone, with claims that topical finasteride can inhibit up to 52% of scalp DHT. One reply clarifies that progesterone is not an anti-androgen but has anti-androgenic properties because it competes with androgens for receptors.