do we need DHT?

[crossingfingers]

do we need DHT for other normal skin functions? such as skin keratization? or shedding? and once we stop taking propecia will our bodies start making the same amount of DHT as before?

 

[dead]

yes

 

[Stingray]

DHT is an essential male hormone. Reponsible pretty much for everything a mature male is associated with.

But I could be wrong.

 

[hairschmair]

im not so sure an adult man needs DHT. if that were the case, why do most men not experience any side effects after years of finasteride?

 

[Stingray]

Because finasteride only inhibits one type of 5-AR? So your body still produces enough DHT to function properly?

Research mang.

 

[nohairnodandruff]

DHT aids in some functions.. for example male pattern baldness

 

[hairschmair]

Some people use dutasteride, and inhibit almost all DHT production. You hear the usual vague side-effect here and there, similar to what you hear about finasteride (just with higher incidence), but nothing solid.

So I'm not convinced we need DHT for anything useful. Any pointers to research would be welcome though!

 

[Stingray]

http://WWW.GOOGLE.COM

Great place to start.

 

[hairschmair]

WWW.GOOGLE.COM

Great place to start.

Oh, a link to Google. Very useful contribution indeed ...

... but I'll bite.

Typing in the requisite search criterias (thanks for the link by the way), I get the following site on the first page:

http://www.devbio.com/article.php?ch=17&id=166

And I quote:

Recently, finasteride (sold as Propecia and Proscar) has been utilized to block the major steroid 5α steroid reductase enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. This selective action allows the drug to block only the effects of DHT and not the effects of testosterone. In the adult, DHT appears to be especially important in mediating the testosterone effect in the prostate and the hair follicles. Thus, finasteride is active in these regions. But since testosterone can act in other tissues without being converted to DHT, this drug does not block other characteristics such as libido, potency, sperm production, musculature, or voice.

I guess you were right, we don't need DHT!

 

[Lizzad]

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/reform8.htm

 

[hairschmair]

Very interesting article!

 

[crossingfingers]

dht

for example, do we need DHT for proper and normal function of facial hair shedding so that they dont fall back into the pores and clog up the pores? Does any one know if DHT has anything to do with that?

 

[Boru]

The normal t-dht balance is 10-1. They act together, with the many other hormones to regulate all functions. Thyroid hormones are also important in hair growth. Excess suppression of dht may have long- term side effects, which we do not yet know about. Restoring the 10-1 balance is the aim.
Boru

 

[Bryan]

I guess you were right, we don't need DHT!

While it may possibly be true that we don't need DHT (at least after full sexual development), keep in mind that we _may_ still need 5a-reductase. That enzyme does more than just convert T into DHT.

Bryan

 

[Cornholio]

we _may_ still need 5a-reductase. That enzyme does more than just convert T into DHT.

Bryan

Like what? I hadn't heard that...

 

[Boru]

If the body is producing such a complex soup of hormones and enzymes, they all serve a purpose. There may be potential faults in the gene code, however, all men produce t and dht and the rest, so there may be unexplained functions. I do not know exactly how all the various treatments are working for me, but they must be working on the dht or 5 alpha enzyme, if they are the main culprits. There are probably other problems which haven't been addressed yet. Lets keep looking, even if there are some false leads and blind alleys to encounter.
Boru

 

[willywonka]

I like to have hard ons once in a while.

 

[hairschmair]

If the body is producing such a complex soup of hormones and enzymes, they all serve a purpose.

We know that DHT is absolutely essential for proper sexual development during puberty. I would not say that it is outside the realm of possibility that a hormone that has use at one point in life, could have none later in life, once its purpose is fulfilled.

I'm not saying this is the case. I'm just saying that I don't believe in the "it's there so it MUST be doing something useful" logic.

 

[Boru]

If the body is producing such a complex soup of hormones and enzymes, they all serve a purpose.

We know that DHT is absolutely essential for proper sexual development during puberty. I would not say that it is outside the realm of possibility that a hormone that has use at one point in life, could have none later in life, once its purpose is fulfilled.

I'm not saying this is the case. I'm just saying that I don't believe in the "it's there so it MUST be doing something useful" logic.

You may be right. DHT is doing something unuseful though, wasting follicles. Is this just something weird, a practical joke by mother nature, or is there any possible biological advantage to baldness?

 

[Boru]

WWW.GOOGLE.COM

Great place to start.

Oh, a link to Google. Very useful contribution indeed ...

... but I'll bite.

Typing in the requisite search criterias (thanks for the link by the way), I get the following site on the first page:

http://www.devbio.com/article.php?ch=17&id=166

And I quote:

Interesting article, but inaccurate in one important respect.
I have been able to deminaturise follicles which have been dormant for over twenty years. Finasteride must be helping to some degree, though I have a varied menu. As long as doctors and specialists continue to blandly deny the possibility of treatment to older men, they won't try.
I took a step into the unknown last year, and now I'm trying to understand the biological reasons for my success. No-one will believe me, except those who know me, who are amazed.
Boru

Recently, finasteride (sold as Propecia and Proscar) has been utilized to block the major steroid 5α steroid reductase enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. This selective action allows the drug to block only the effects of DHT and not the effects of testosterone. In the adult, DHT appears to be especially important in mediating the testosterone effect in the prostate and the hair follicles. Thus, finasteride is active in these regions. But since testosterone can act in other tissues without being converted to DHT, this drug does not block other characteristics such as libido, potency, sperm production, musculature, or voice.

I guess you were right, we don't need DHT!