About to start proscar -- question i can't find answer to...

[juststarting]

Hi,

I have been lurking these forums and I wanted to get people's thoughts.

I am a norwood probably 1 to 1.3. I am just starting to see some slight receding into a widows peak, on the mid-forehead -- but not any different at the temples since i was 20. I went to the derm, she confirmed that this is how it *starts*, and my genetic disposition was enough to make me want to stop or slow this (male relatives had the standard male loss over time but not bald). I am 33 yr old male btw with extremely thick hair (for now anyway ). I do have a 1st cousin in his mid-40s with thick hair still, but I am thinking I didn't get enough of that side of the gene pool now

I went to a dermatologist, got a script for 1/4 pill of proscar no problem. It's being filled right now However, I have a couple of questions that I have not been able to find an answer to on this forum or elsewhere

1. Since finasteride lowers the DHT level, in the long run, could this make one's hair molecules MORE susceptible to hair loss due to upregulation in receptors on the hair folicules to compensate for lower DHT production? So if I stop proscar 1.25mg later on, at that point would my hair go faster then naturally it would have?

2. Is this a bad idea for me to do since I have very little loss at 33, could this make my condition worsen (due to question 1) if/when I stop finasteride?

Thanks!

JustStarting

 

[Guest]

If you were on finasteride for a year and then stopped, Merck say that you will return to baseline within a year. There is no mention that there will be an increase in hair loss. Basically the DHT levels will return to normal and start to attack the follicle like it did before.

That's my take anyway...

 

[juststarting]

Thanks for your response

As I suspected, no one has done any study or evaluation on whether people have more DHT receptors after starting finasteride. I am certain merck wouldn't want to do it since their drug would be less appealing to people just starting. Who would start and try a drug that *could* help, but if you stop using it would make you worse theN before?

If you were on finasteride for a year and then stopped, Merck say that you will return to baseline within a year. There is no mention that there will be an increase in hair loss. Basically the DHT levels will return to normal and start to attack the follicle like it did before.

That's my take anyway...

 

[Faston]

Juststarting,

I doubt that it's scientifically possible that finasteride could make your hair more suceptible to DHT. DHT works on androgen receptors in your hair follicles. The amount of receptors and their sensitivity to DHT are genetically determined.

Therefore, finasteride would have to alter your genetic makeup to make you more sensitive to DHT after using the drug. Unfortunately, even finasteride can't mutate your genes.

 

[juststarting]

Thanks for responding and your thoughts I am struggling with understanding this issue and appreciate everyone's help.

Upregulation of receptors can happen throughout the body when there is a reduction in their stimulation. For example, this is why heroin addicts need more and more to get *high*, there is a downregulation in the number of total opioid receptors due to the high level of related agonists.

I realize finasteride is different then heroin But is not the same idea possible here?

Thanks again!

Juststarting,

I doubt that it's scientifically possible that finasteride could make your hair more suceptible to DHT. DHT works on androgen receptors in your hair follicles. The amount of receptors and their sensitivity to DHT are genetically determined.

Therefore, finasteride would have to alter your genetic makeup to make you more sensitive to DHT after using the drug. Unfortunately, even finasteride can't mutate your genes.

 

[juststarting]

Bump, no one gets my prior post?