is this male pattern baldness or stress related hairloss?

[cdnhairloss]

hey guys,
background: 28 years old, no hair loss on either side of the family for generations back.

current reg: been running the 2% nizoral for about 10 weeks now, and i think it has helped a bit, but i just want to make sure there isnt more i should do yet.

should i add in minoxidil or get a rx for propecia?

 

[AceTravis]

Re: what to add

If your family has had no hair loss on either side of the family for generations, then count yourself lucky because you obviously have good genes. You might want to count out all posiblities on other things that might be causing your hair loss before jumping into using male pattern baldness solutions. You should check to see if you have any thyroid problems firstly, get some blood work done, and also think about if you have been stressed out a lot over the last year or so. If all that pans out then you can think about the next step.

 

[cdnhairloss]

Re: what to add

If your family has had no hair loss on either side of the family for generations, then count yourself lucky because you obviously have good genes. You might want to count out all posiblities on other things that might be causing your hair loss before jumping into using male pattern baldness solutions. You should check to see if you have any thyroid problems firstly, get some blood work done, and also think about if you have been stressed out a lot over the last year or so. If all that pans out then you can think about the next step.

thyroid and blood work is fine. had full blood panel done last week for a non-hair related issue.

diet is good ... fish oil, multi, zinc, b-vitamins, protein supplementation

i was under an enormous amount of stress the last half of last year (sept to jan) moving states, new job, breaking up with gf and am a bit stressed out starting this new job ... partly why i posted to see if anyone smarter than me can identify the difference between stress and male pattern baldness related hair loss

is next step to see a dermatologist or just start rocking minoxidil or stay status quo?

 

[freakout]

Do you sit down to work for hours on end? If so, did hair loss occur months after you got this job?

 

[hopetainted]

Personally I find it hard to believe that anything short of a disease or predisposition can actually cause hair loss... but that's me. I don't know much about it tbh. I've only just discovered my own thinning and I'm still in a bit of disbelief. Baldness is not a factor in my family for generations either.

I'd like to know if anyone on the forum has ever come here with a hair loss concern and actually had all their hair grow back in and it actually had to do with stress or diet or something simple? Has that ever happened? I'd just like to see a thread, just to know that it actually happens.

 

[hopetainted]

I'd like to know if anyone on the forum has ever come here with a hair loss concern and actually had all their hair grow back in and it actually had to do with stress or diet or something simple? Has that ever happened? I'd just like to see a thread, just to know that it actually happens.

As you can see I have a lot of posts, and that has never happened that I have seen.

male pattern baldness/Androgenetic Alopecia is not caused by any disease or illness, it is caused by a genetic predisposition towards hair follicles that are pre programmed to minaturize once male androgens attach to the receptors located in the hair follicle.

Your genes load the gun, and your hormones/androgens pull the trigger, it's really pretty simple. This is why drugs that reduce androgens reverse the process.

They reverse it? Or just stop it?

 

[hopetainted]

Well, the medicines that we have commercialy available, like Finasteride for example, only decrease the male andorgen DHT, and it only decreases that androgen by 70%, so it's not a cure but it will stop (or drastically slow) the process for years, for many men, but androgen blockers are more effective and safer because they are topicals and they don't lower your androgen levles internally, like finasteride does, instead they attach to the androgen receptors themselves and prevent androgens from attaching and intiating minaturization, this is a much safer and smarter approach! Examples of androgen blockers are RU58841 or CB-03-01 for more informatiuon read through the link in my signature, or use the search function on this site, search for these drugs.

I'm fairly familiar with what androgen blockers are. If one were to take Spironolactone, in theory it would put a solid end to hair loss right? All concerns of de-masculinization aside?

 

[hopetainted]

But it is one of the strongest when taken orally, from what I've read. That's what I was rfeffering to.

 

[armandein]

hey guys,
background: 28 years old, no hair loss on either side of the family for generations back.

current reg: been running the 2% nizoral for about 10 weeks now, and i think it has helped a bit, but i just want to make sure there isnt more i should do yet.

should i add in minoxidil or get a rx for propecia?

Hi:
your problem, in my opinion, are the two swirls in the crown. have your relatives the same aspect in the crown? Possibly don't, as you say that they don`t suffer from common baldness.

 

[cdnhairloss]

Classic vertex balding characterized as male pattern baldness or Androgenetic Alopecia. This wasn't from stress dude, it will get progressively worse if you don't treat it, read through the link in my signature for treatment options that work! And don't take my word for it, make an appointment with a dermatologist and get evaluated. Oh, and by the way, the male pattern baldness genes can skip generations and come from either side, obviously you carry at least one of the genes.

i read your sig early, that is party why i posted the question on what to do.
to stop the androgens, i think RU is the strongest but least studied for long-term. minoxidil seems to be the only "regrowth" product out there (nizoral hasnt proven any regrowth in 10 weeks) ... and propecia vs RU is just availabilty ... one is UG and other is RX.

so do i jump on RU and take a chance the lab gets shut down, or stick with RX stuff with a Doctor...

 

[cdnhairloss]

Hi:
your problem, in my opinion, are the two swirls in the crown. have your relatives the same aspect in the crown? Possibly don't, as you say that they don`t suffer from common baldness.

i can see the two swirls, it is probably unique to me. my brother and dad dont have it.

i will have to investigate the genetics aspect a bit more in depth. i make those comments on what i see from my parents, 82 yo+ grandparents (hair), and pictures of the really old timers (more hair).

 

[armandein]

Acording to my theory the first stage of common baldness is problems with sebum flow, and the crown, due at the wirl, and the front line are the zones more predisposed to it, because the hairs don't touche among them.
I'll bet that this thin zone have been forming during years.
Your father and brother seem reinforce this idea,
One more question, the thikness and the density of your hair is similar at your brother and father?

 

[cdnhairloss]

Acording to my theory the first stage of common baldness is problems with sebum flow, and the crown, due at the wirl, and the front line are the zones more predisposed to it, because the hairs don't touche among them.
I'll bet that this thin zone have been forming during years.
Your father and brother seem reinforce this idea,
One more question, the thikness and the density of your hair is similar at your brother and father?

its a bit tough to tell, given the age gap between my dad and i, and i dont think he really gave a sh!t how thick his hair was at my age, since he wasnt going bald! but if i had to guess, it is fairly similar. my brother and i are similar for sure.

overall, from you and finfighter, it sounds like its a genetic thing. Now i have to decide what to do about it. I think its still early enough to catch it????

 

[slurms mackenzie]

It looks like male pattern baldness and it could still be genetic.

A lot of people say it doesn't seem to run in their family, but it could still be genetic, they're just not looking in the right places for answers.

 

[slurms mackenzie]

i read your sig early, that is party why i posted the question on what to do.
to stop the androgens, i think RU is the strongest but least studied for long-term. minoxidil seems to be the only "regrowth" product out there (nizoral hasnt proven any regrowth in 10 weeks) ... and propecia vs RU is just availabilty ... one is UG and other is RX.

so do i jump on RU and take a chance the lab gets shut down, or stick with RX stuff with a Doctor...

I don't think there'll be any problems with the supply of RU, it's off patent next year anyway, any lab will be able to make it providing it's for research purposes.

Even if in two years time it was outlawed for whatever reason, then providing you went on an equally effective anti androgen eg finasteride, dutastaride or the NKOTB CB-03-01, you'll keep the hair you maintained.

The derm will probably prescribe you finasteride.

 

[cdnhairloss]

I don't think there'll be any problems with the supply of RU, it's off patent next year anyway, any lab will be able to make it providing it's for research purposes.

Even if in two years time it was outlawed for whatever reason, then providing you went on an equally effective anti androgen eg finasteride, dutastaride or the NKOTB CB-03-01, you'll keep the hair you maintained.

The derm will probably prescribe you finasteride.

thanks for the replies everyone. So is your suggestion to jump right onto the RU or go with rx'd finasteride?

with finasteride, i think my extended health insurance covers it
OR
i am thinking about mixing RU with the rogain for the benefits of both. i wanna stop this thing in its tracks and maybe regrow a bit (or a lot)

 

[slurms mackenzie]

Well i'm not really qualified to give out medical advice, but your derm would suggest propecia, it will be easier to obtain and use than RU, and combined with minoxidil stands a great chance of restoring your hair completely.

If the hair is recently lost then it may be worth seeing how much an anti androgen alone can work before adding the minoxidil, say by giving it four or five months.

I don't know if anyone else has any other opinions.

It's worth reading the success stories so you're comfortable with the path you take.

 

[cdnhairloss]

Well i'm not really qualified to give out medical advice, but your derm would suggest propecia, it will be easier to obtain and use than RU, and combined with minoxidil stands a great chance of restoring your hair completely.

If the hair is recently lost then it may be worth seeing how much an anti androgen alone can work before adding the minoxidil, say by giving it four or five months.

I don't know if anyone else has any other opinions.

It's worth reading the success stories so you're comfortable with the path you take.

SC and FF, thanks for the quick replies on this thread guys!

i understand that you are not a medical professional, and appreciate any input you guys can give from the school of life.

Getting in to see a derm will take longer than simply ordering from the UG market (if its finasteride or RU or whatever), so why wait was what i was thinking...

I have been running anti-androgen via nizoral ED since Feb. I dont see any improvement, and maybe slight deterioration. couple this with a much more active life style, better diet, and less stress than before and i am comfortable saying i need something else.

i think in the medium term, run minoxidil with the nizoral ... make appointment to see derm ... get on finasteride and see what happens 6-12 months later.

everyone on board with that plan or would you do something different?

 

[Hoppi]

hard to tell without seeing your hairline.

My hair loss is very diffuse, all over the top of my scalp and a little on the sides, norwood pattern in general, and then slow but steady hairline recession (very early stages though so it's ok).

It's mostly the pattern that gives away if it's male pattern baldness or not...

 

[Rawtashk]

I agree with jumping on something, and finasteride/rogaine are 'the big 2', so it's a good start right there.

Hit me up with a PM if you want a good online pharm to get finasteride, or if your Doctor will give you a script then just go that way.

Good luck to you!