Genetic Test For Finasteride Response

[diffuse_thinner]

I've learned that variants on a sequence on the Androgen Receptor gene( CAG repeats) can determine how well you respond to finasteride. Essentially, people with a lower number of repeats respond better and those with a higher number can only expect a weak response. It does not look like there is any easy way to get this kind of thing tested where I live. I have had my genes mapped with 23andme. If anyone is knowledgeable about these things, could you tell me if it is possible to figure out my CAG repeat score using the raw data from 23andme? I think it is unfortunate that tests of this kind are not common and all we have to rely on are studies that tell you what a drug will do in aggregate. If I'm going to risk side effects and spend a lot of money on a drug, I damn well want to know if it is going to be a waste of time!

 

[BaldingHelpMe]

I've learned that variants on a sequence on the Androgen Receptor gene( CAG repeats) can determine how well you respond to finasteride.

What is that? Where do you get this idea? I might be wrong, but as fas as I know, finasteride/dutasteride does not interact with AR, it does not even interact with the hormone directly, all it does is to inhibit 5-alpha-reductae enzymes; that's it, nothing more! So sometimes I dont get why people would be so scared of finasteride/dutasteride!

 

[diffuse_thinner]

What is that? Where do you get this idea? I might be wrong, but as fas as I know, finasteride/dutasteride does not interact with AR, it does not even interact with the hormone directly, all it does is to inhibit 5-alpha-reductae enzymes; that's it, nothing more! So sometimes I dont get why people would be so scared of finasteride/dutasteride!

Here's a couple of links:
http://www.baumanblog.com/follicleb...-genetic-test-for-male-pattern-hair-loss.html

http://www.albareyes.com/genetic-tests/genetic-tests-for-finasteride-response/

 

[BaldingHelpMe]

Here's a couple of links:
http://www.baumanblog.com/follicleb...-genetic-test-for-male-pattern-hair-loss.html

http://www.albareyes.com/genetic-tests/genetic-tests-for-finasteride-response/

Thanks for the link. So bascially its a test to see how sensitive your AR is to the DHT, in other word, it is a test to see if you do have a genetic type male pattern baldness. Only genetic type hair loss would respond to these med.

The best way for one to determine whether finasteride would respond well is to take a blood test of the hormones levels, then take finasteride for a couple months and then do a blood test again to see if finasteride lowers one's DHT level.

 

[abcdefg]

Yeah kind of sucks things like this are very rare and hard to find. I dont live anywhere near these places, but im pretty sure no one around me offers these kind of things. Why everyone cant get a simple genetic test like this before they even touch finasteride I have no idea.
Then at least you have an idea what to expect before trying it.

 

[abcdefg]

What is that? Where do you get this idea? I might be wrong, but as fas as I know, finasteride/dutasteride does not interact with AR, it does not even interact with the hormone directly, all it does is to inhibit 5-alpha-reductae enzymes; that's it, nothing more! So sometimes I dont get why people would be so scared of finasteride/dutasteride!

Well my issue with finasteride isnt that it inhibits that enzyme its more the collateral damage it does to other things. For one thing it might inhibit the 5 ar type 3 enzyme which was found after finasteride was released. It only interacts with the enzyme but that indirectly changes hormones besides just DHT. its not like we have a book of what hormones do exactly in each individual person its a largely unknown thing still. Medicine in general is still very primitive on certain topics like the immune system or say hormones.