A user considering switching from finasteride to dutasteride for hair loss is seeking advice on how to get a prescription, with suggestions to ask their primary care physician or consult a dermatologist, and mentions of telehealth options for obtaining the prescription.
Genetic variations influence how people respond to dutasteride for hair loss, with some benefiting more from finasteride. Dutasteride is effective for most, but genetic differences may cause it to be less effective for some.
The conversation is about a user obtaining a compounded treatment for hair loss, including 0.1% latanoprost, 0.2% melatonin, and 1% cetirizine. The user also uses 2.5 mg dutasteride, 5 mg minoxidil, and RU58841 daily, and is at Norwood 2.
The user is happy with the progress in hair density after using a regimen of oral Dutasteride, topical Minoxidil, Tretinoin cream, Ketoconazole shampoo, and an LLLT helmet. They reported no side effects and noted that Dutasteride and Tretinoin were particularly effective.
Dutasteride caused persistent hair shedding and no improvement for 18 months, leading to a switch back to finasteride. The user also uses oral minoxidil and plans to focus on better scalp health.
Vitamin D deficiency might cause hair loss at the temples. The user has a vitamin D level of 9ng and is experiencing hair loss in that area, resembling a Norwood scale 1 (NW1) pattern.
Finasteride can cause gynecomastia, which may be reversible by stopping the drug and using selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) like tamoxifen. Lifestyle changes such as weight loss and avoiding alcohol can also help, but surgery may be needed if the condition persists.
The conversation discusses the effectiveness of different doses of finasteride for hair loss, questioning the need for 1mg daily when 0.5mg every other day has a similar impact on scalp DHT. A humorous reply suggests exaggerated side effects.