A user experienced unexpected hormone test results after 7 months on 1mg daily finasteride, noting a decrease in estradiol despite expectations of an increase. Other users suggested that hormone responses can vary and that finasteride might still be effective if DHT levels are within range, while also mentioning factors like circadian rhythm and stress that could impact results.
Finasteride can increase total testosterone and potentially raise estrogen levels, leading to side effects. Biotin in combined tablets can falsely elevate thyroid hormone levels in blood tests.
Minoxidil increases blood supply to the scalp, strengthening dormant follicles and extending the growth phase, but may increase scalp activity that can be countered with DHT blockers. Women experiencing side effects from finasteride or dutasteride for hair loss might consider alternatives like estrogen, especially if on birth control.
A 22-year-old male with high estrogen levels is considering finasteride for hair loss but is concerned about potential side effects due to his hormone levels and family history of diabetes. Users suggest consulting a doctor, possibly an endocrinologist, and considering lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to address visceral fat and insulin resistance before starting treatment.
A user in the UK seeks advice on blood tests before starting Finasteride and Minoxidil for hair loss. Recommended tests include thyroid function, hormone levels, liver and kidney function, and vitamin and mineral levels.
After using finasteride and dutasteride for hair loss, a user's blood tests showed almost unchanged DHT levels and some out-of-range hormone levels. They experienced side effects when taking dutasteride daily and also take supplements that boost testosterone.
Before starting hair loss treatment, it's suggested to undergo various blood and health tests to minimize side effects. The checklist includes tests for kidney function, liver enzymes, blood sugar, vitamins, hormones, and more.
DHT promotes beard growth but causes scalp hair loss due to inflammation and fibrosis. Treatments like finasteride and minoxidil help with hormonal signals and blood flow but don't address underlying inflammation.
The user is concerned about hair loss despite using oral finasteride, oral minoxidil, and topical minoxidil. They are seeking advice on additional blood tests to identify potential causes.
A user is concerned about taking 1mg/day of finasteride due to potential gynecomastia, given their blood results. They seek advice on how their hormone levels might be affected by blocking DHT.
After 13 years on finasteride, OP is experiencing reduced effectiveness and has started taking 0.5 mg of dutasteride weekly, noticing nipple sensitivity as a side effect. OP plans to increase the dutasteride dosage and retest hormone levels, while others suggest adjusting the dosage or trying different forms of dutasteride.
Hair loss treatment involves gland treatment with iodine, liver extract, wild American ginseng, and black cohosh, along with crude oil scalp massage. The approach aims to stimulate hormones and improve blood circulation to promote hair growth.
Minoxidil effective for regrowth but causes dryness; finasteride stops hair loss but may affect hormones; dutasteride powerful but reduces libido; RU58841 thickens hair but expensive and risky; dermarolling improves blood flow and results; aminexil overrated and not effective. Dermarolling beneficial with both minoxidil and finasteride.
Combining dutasteride and an aromatase inhibitor may increase testosterone levels significantly, potentially enhancing athletic performance but also posing health risks like elevated blood pressure and worsened cholesterol. The user is experimenting with dutasteride, anastrozole, minoxidil, and ketoconazole shampoo to manage hair loss and estradiol levels, while monitoring side effects and hormone levels.
The user checked iron, ferritin, B12, zinc, testosterone, DHT, and estrogens to understand hair loss causes and the effects of dutasteride. They also noted increased heart rate and paleness with oral minoxidil.
Finasteride may have positive effects by keeping testosterone levels higher, potentially maintaining youthfulness and physical performance as one ages. It could also help with conditions related to aging like andropause and sarcopenia without increasing estradiol levels.
After 4 months of using topical finasteride and minoxidil, blood tests showed increased E2, Test, and Prolactine levels. The user is concerned about potential side effects like gyno and is seeking advice on managing these values.
A 27-year-old male using Minoxidil, Finasteride, and dermarolling for hair loss shared blood test results and experienced side effects with Finasteride. Adjusting the Finasteride dosage helped reduce side effects.
The conversation is about a user sharing their blood test results and questioning if it's okay to start a hair loss treatment with finasteride. Specific treatments mentioned are Minoxidil, finasteride, and RU58841.
High estradiol levels may contribute to erectile dysfunction (ED) and can be addressed with lifestyle changes or medication. It's important to consult a medical professional for treatment options.
A user has been taking finasteride for 5 months with no improvement in diffuse hair loss and suspects high levels of prolactin, cortisol, progesterone, and DHEAS, as well as iron, might be contributing to the issue. They are also taking vitamin D to address a deficiency.
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.
The conversation is about a user planning to start minoxidil treatment and considering increasing zinc intake to improve testosterone and libido. They are concerned about potential hair loss due to increased testosterone and are advised to consider magnesium supplementation and the effects of DHT if not on finasteride or dutasteride.
A user increased their dutasteride dosage from 0.5mg to 1mg daily, resulting in a rise in DHT levels from 148 pg/mL to 281 pg/mL, and is considering switching back to finasteride due to continued hair loss. Replies suggest retesting and emphasize the importance of bloodwork before starting treatments.
The impact of creatine on DHT levels, and whether it could cause accelerated male pattern baldness (MPB). The user taking a 5 alpha reductase inhibitor found that their DHT levels actually reduced despite taking creatine for nine weeks. Replies suggested looking into testosterone levels as well and debating the safety of creatine use in relation to MPB.
The conversation discusses skepticism about the effectiveness of scalp tension theory and scalp massagers for hair regrowth, contrasting it with treatments like finasteride and minoxidil, which have more user-reported results. Participants question the belief in scalp tension theory, suggesting it may be a marketing tactic, while others argue for a multifactorial approach to hair loss.
The user has been taking 0.5 finasteride for 10 months and wants to repeat blood tests, including estradiol. However, their doctor is reluctant to test estradiol, arguing it's typically low in men, and the user is considering seeking a second opinion.
The conversation is about which blood tests are essential to check before starting hair loss treatment with finasteride or dutasteride. The tests mentioned include DHT, PSA, Estrogen/Estradiol, Testosterone, FSH, and LH.