DHT-sensitive tissues and "Healing Time" post-finasteride cessation

[Nevis]

Do we have any data on how long other DHT-sensitive tissues take to come back to "normal" post finasteride cessation? perhaps some studies on prostate tissue from proscar studies? We know how long DHT stays suppressed in serum levels on different levels of finasteride and dutasteride but wondering how long tissues take to "heal" (not really the right word but captures the essence).

 

[Nevis]

nobody is touching this one?

let me clarify where the question is coming from. I'm dividing somewhat arbitrarily by reading posts here people into 2 camps of finasteride-sides. First are those that notice big changes immediately or soon after starting a finasteride/dutasteride regimen (direct side effects, call them), and then quit or come here looking for counter-agents to the sides so they can stay on finasteride. Others (myself included, and hence my interest) go a very long time without seeing any noticeable or worrisome sides. There is the third group too, that report here 10yrs and no sides.

We know that the effects finasteride/dutasteride has on DHT creation helps the hair, but also thereby decreases the DHT volume available to other DHT-sensitive tissues. Could one support the hypothesis that the second group starts seeing sides after long periods of time because it takes that long for the other DHT-sensitive tissues to become "impacted" enough by the limited DHT in one's system to effect side effects? Thereby acheiving a "indirect side-effect?"

A follow on hypothesis would then ask if taking a long enough break from finasteride and DHT-suppression to allow those "indirect" tissues to heal from normal exposure to your genetically determined DHT levels would allow one to re-introduce finasteride to one's system and then have another significant period of time without side effects. An implicit assumption here is that the healing process takes less time than the damaging time; an assumption I take on from the fact that, for instance, a 1mg finasteride dosage still leaves significant DHT, coupled with the note that many here go long times before developing sides.

Naturally, this is NOT the only explanation. It could also be that the "indirect sides" group develops "direct sides" as they age; the normal endocrine changes that happen during aging allow for direct sides from finasteride while before there was some offsetting dynamic (more testosterone at young ages?)

Anyway, that's where my question is coming from...a piece of this larger puzzle. and PURE SPECULATION here...just looking for discussion and info if people are up for it.

 

[Petchsky]

Hey Nevis!

Can't really help you directly, but i can post this link to a post I thought was top notch with a section about propecia use that may be of use to you.

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=50119

 

[Nevis]

I've read that one...good post but just makes me (as always) wish there were 100s of more studies on all of these drugs, with lots more focus on parallel effects. Good info to add to my line of questioning though, for anyone who has more info and would like to take a stab at drawing lines between all the dots we have here.

Good post, but the line implying that your body can take months or years to get back on track after quitting finasteride seems to be tightly connected to the poster's information from propeciahelp.com. A source of info, which, at the least, has a significant selection bias.

The poster's other more detailed comments on other pathways of conversion in the body could don't necessarily lend evidence either way that the body could get back to a "natural" stasis quickly or slowly. The rapid reversal of sides that most people quitting finasteride get would seem to speak to a rapid return/healing, while the initial slow onset of sides would indicate that finasteride plays a weak role in disrupting the hormone balance, and therefore there could be an equally slow swing backwards on cessation.

 

[helpmyhair]

nevis, if didn't see any sides from finasteride, why did you discontinue it?

 

[Nevis]

I didn't see any indication of sides for a long time. I started recently to perceive some sides, but also could be attributed to a lot of stress; and, perhaps most likely, a combination of all of the above. I hestitate though on discussing sides because I cannot establish causality roles here, and I do not wish to be held out as an example or anecdote for any particular viewpoint.