Being overweight may increase finasteride side effects due to higher aromatase activity converting testosterone to estradiol. Maintaining a healthy weight could reduce these side effects.
The user received hormone test results showing normal estradiol and testosterone levels, low SHBG, and normal free androgen index. They are considering starting finasteride but are concerned due to being slightly overweight.
The user cannot tolerate oral finasteride and is considering topical finasteride, minoxidil, microneedling, and RU58841 as alternative treatments for hair loss. They seek advice on whether these options are worth trying.
The conversation discusses hair loss and the potential impact of diet and lifestyle changes, particularly increased protein intake, on hair health. The original poster shared their experience of improved hair appearance after weight loss and dietary changes, despite skepticism from others about lighting differences in photos and the effectiveness of diet alone without finasteride or minoxidil.
Fit individuals often have full heads of hair, possibly due to lifestyle factors like exercise and diet, while those who are less fit tend to experience more hair loss. Some fit individuals may also use treatments like finasteride and minoxidil to maintain their hair.