Propecia and free testosterone

[gh05]

I know there's a huge thread about it somewhere here but I'm looking for something a bit more condensed and to the point.

How much does finasteride reduce free testosterone by and how conclusive are the studies that suggest this?

 

[Bryan]

What specifically do you mean by "free testosterone"? (I just want to make sure we're talking about the same thing!)

 

[Wuffer]

I think you are referring to this:

viewtopic.php?f=46&t=66380

By free T, you mean bioavailable T versus serum T. I am honestly not sure what the difference is, and what importance bioavailable T has over serum T, or vice versa.

I am actually interested in this as well. Finasteride can raise free T by some degree due to the fact that 5AR is inhibited and not converting T into DHT. However, this wouldn’t explain why free T would drop. Maybe someone with a bit more knowledge about how hormones work could possibly shed some light onto what’s going on here. Is 5AR responsible for free T as well?

 

[gh05]

My very basic understanding was that the free/bioavailable (not bound) testosterone is the most important measurement when used for testing why there may be low libido. Also, presumably the more free testosterone, the easier it would be to build muscle/better athletic performance.

Libido and athletic performance/strength/speed are key areas for me - I want/need both to be high so if finasteride is likely to lower them at all (I'll say now that I do not believe the 'only 2% get sides'), then it may be out of the question in my case.

Please keep any responses to this thread clear and concise - the other thread just drags on for pages with peoples theories but I'm after straight answers.

 

[Bryan]

How much does finasteride reduce free testosterone by and how conclusive are the studies that suggest this?

I'm not aware of any studies that supposedly show that finasteride lowers "free" testosterone, nor can I imagine how that would work.

 

[BritishUser]

There is a recent thread about side effects, where someone posted their blood test results. T and Free-T were both raised after finasteride.

 

[Bryan]

There is a recent thread about side effects, where someone posted their blood test results. T and Free-T were both raised after finasteride.

It's not surprising that overall levels of testosterone rise a bit after using finasteride. That's been reported in the medical literature a number of times. Not sure what that has to do with "free" testosterone, though.

 

[gh05]

So, what on earth were people going on about in that other thread if this isn't true?

Have there really been no studies on it?

The lack of information on finasteride really annoys me. How hard would it be to take 1000 people or so and give them a blood test before and after usage. Would really like to seed similar done to test for athletic performance.

 

[Bryan]

So, what on earth were people going on about in that other thread if this isn't true?

Have there really been no studies on it?

I have no idea what people were going on about in that other thread. I certainly don't recall ever SEEING any measurements of free and bound testosterone while using finasteride, but maybe it just didn't make any impression on me at the time.

 

[BritishUser]

Actually, those 'after' results are about 3 weeks after he stopped taking Propecia. I didn't read that closely enough.

Anyway, does anyone have any info related to blood test results showing a clear difference between before and after?


Here's the thread.....

http://www.hairlosstalk.com/interact/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=72090&start=10

 

[Wuffer]

So, what on earth were people going on about in that other thread if this isn't true?

Have there really been no studies on it?

I have no idea what people were going on about in that other thread. I certainly don't recall ever SEEING any measurements of free and bound testosterone while using finasteride, but maybe it just didn't make any impression on me at the time.

Bryan, you can download the study at this link:

viewtopic.php?f=46&t=66380


Download the attachment in Enden's link to get it. Look at page 6, table 3 to see the hormone values. Almost across the board, Total T is raised, but free T is lowered. This doesn't make much sense to me, but I admittedly don't know much about hormones to start with.

 

[Bryan]

Download the attachment in Enden's link to get it. Look at page 6, table 3 to see the hormone values. Almost across the board, Total T is raised, but free T is lowered.

You DID see the response he made to me near the end of that thread, right?

 

[Wuffer]

Download the attachment in Enden's link to get it. Look at page 6, table 3 to see the hormone values. Almost across the board, Total T is raised, but free T is lowered.

You DID see the response he made to me near the end of that thread, right?

If you are referring to the third last post (Enden's last post on the thread) then yes. However, due to the fact my medical comprehension skills are mediocre at best, most of that was over my head. What is a globulin anyway and is it safe to feed it after midnight?

Seriously though, if you could translate it to layman’s terms it would be appreciated. I think what the OP and I were wondering is do you have any explanation as for why Free T levels were lowered while total T numbers went up? Is this expected or do you have any explanation for it? I have some feeling I’m missing some obvious yet crucial detail, but please fill us in.

 

[abcdefg]

What about propecia causing hair to get more receptors or become more sensitive to androgens is that true? After trying spironolactone and watching my head get more itchy and it get worse I am going to see a doctor and try propecia.
If I want to inhibit 10-20% DHT how many mg of propecia does that need and how much would that raise T?

 

[MyTQuinn]

I see that this is an old thread, but here is my understanding of how free T, DHT and Total T are related. Free T is not reduced by Propecia. It should actually be increased as the enzyme that converts free T to DHT(which causes hair loss) is blocked from working. total T should remain the same which is the sum of free T and DHT. DHT will help muscles grow faster than free T, but also has many negative effects on the body including hairloss and enlarged prostates. Much of the free T will be converted to estrogen, however, depending on the amount of receptors your body has. This will help HDL cholesterol go up, but may also increase LDLs and Triclycericdes, so it is important to watch your diet and get plenty of Omega 3s and 6s when taking Propecia. That being said, people with hair loss have a tendency to have high LDL cholesterol and triglycerides anyway..