Dani_uk said:
Bryan,
Sorry about that. Let me rephrase the question....
Would a 2% spironolactone solution, used daily, be effective in the fight against hairloss...
It should help a little, although spironolactone certainly isn't the best topical antiandrogen. It's not as effective as, say, RU58841. Here's a scan of the Italian study which claimed to find benefits for male pattern baldness from topical spironolactone:
http://www.geocities.com/bryan50001/spiro2.htm
Dani_uk said:
...(that includes reducing the relevant testosterone and DHT concentrations)?
I'm still not clear what you mean. Are you talking about SYSTEMIC changes in testosterone and DHT, as a result of systemic absorption of spironolactone? Or are you talking about a "local" effect only, where topical spironolactone is actually applied?
FYI, so-called "pure" antiandrogens taken systemically (orally, for example) will
raise systemic levels of testosterone and DHT, they won't
reduce them. That's because the brain "sees" less androgenic stimulation, so it sends the chemical signals to the testes that make them start producing more testosterone. It's a natural balancing act on the part of the brain, which attempts to counteract the effect of antiandrogens!
But spironolactone is by no means a "pure" antiandrogen. One of its other natural abilities is to interfere with the chemical synthesis of testosterone, which is completely separate from its antiandrogenic property. That's why spironolactone in large enough oral doses can LOWER testosterone (and DHT) levels. What happens at smaller oral doses, however, is anybody's guess. Which effect wins out? Do testosterone levels go UP (because of the antiandrogenic effect), or do they go DOWN (because spironolactone interferes with testosterone synthesis), or do they stay about the same, with the opposing effects roughly balancing each other?