Share Your Wisdom.... I Will Will Be Starting dutasteride At 17 *soon*

[LocoRoco]

Nm to be said other than the title, honestly.

A little background....

Currently 17, noticed a few marks of recession along the corners of my hairline when I was 14. They had been more prominent then, from memory at least as I didn't take pictures for some reason... I began a period of trial and error with Castor Oil, Coconut and a few others (check regiment). They did yield results and were pretty decent tbh. Hairline became less prominent from the edges the sides grew back a bit. However I fear for the worst as I am approaching the danger zone.

Family history of male pattern baldness

Mother's side... No background in male pattern baldness even 3 generations back.
Every male retained their hair into the grave (NW1 level).

Father's side: GrandFather Didn't have any hairloss... My dad did :/. NW4-5 around 26-8 from estimation.

In 30's
He crossed the milestone of hitting nw6+

The End...


UPDATED

here are some pics

 

[Michael1986]

What Norwood level are you at the moment? Dutasteride at age 17 seems a bit extreme. Unless your hair loss is really aggressive then I would suggest finasteride instead. You could always then change to dutasteride if you find that the finasteride isn't strong enough.

 

[LocoRoco]

It might appear cosmetically sufficient based on who examines it, its appearance can vary from nw1-1.25...
Though it would be apparent to those with a keen eye for detail. From my analysis I can define the basic makeup of both sides (I'll provide pics later). Left-side has a wispy side line, and a slightly receded U'sh appearence with thickish top/ the round area that generally connects the sideline and top hairline. Whereas the right-side's top part that connects to the sideline appears more damaged, its slightly receded and thinner even to touch in contrast to the left. Also the side hairline on the right side is stronger in comparison to my left tho it has slightly moved back. Also... its not your avg. mature hairline because there are hairs isolated from my hairline distributed unevenly similar to cases in male pattern baldness (though they haven't progressed much as of late).

Ps. Idc about sides

Do consider I first noticed it at age 14, therefore I conclude it is undoubtedly predestined for the worst.

 

[LocoRoco]

What Norwood level are you at the moment? Dutasteride at age 17 seems a bit extreme. Unless your hair loss is really aggressive then I would suggest finasteride instead. You could always then change to dutasteride if you find that the finasteride isn't strong enough.

Btw wats a good dosage? For dutasteride (0.5) is 3 times a week sufficient? I heard its half-life is lasting...

 

[Michael1986]

It seems that your hair loss has not progressed much so far. Considering this and also your young age, I do think finasteride would be the better choice for you. You then have the option of later switching to dutasteride if you find that the finasteride isn't strong enough.

I suppose you could alternatively try a lowered dose of dutasteride such as three times a week as you mention. The effectiveness of dutasteride three times a week is half way between the effectiveness of finasteride daily and the effectiveness of dutasteride daily. To give you some interesting figures, Dutasteride three times a week will remove about 94% of DHT from the 5AR type 2 enzyme, and about 17% of DHT from the 5AR type 1 enzyme. Dutasteride taken daily removes 98-99% from the type 2 enzyme and 50% from the type 1 enzyme. Finasteride, meanwhile, only inhibits the type 2 enzyme, and at an amount of 85-90%. The type 2 enzyme is thought to be the main one implicated in hair loss.

 

[LocoRoco]

It seems that your hair loss has not progressed much so far. Considering this and also your young age, I do think finasteride would be the better choice for you. You then have the option of later switching to dutasteride if you find that the finasteride isn't strong enough.

I suppose you could alternatively try a lowered dose of dutasteride such as three times a week as you mention. The effectiveness of dutasteride three times a week is half way between the effectiveness of finasteride daily and the effectiveness of dutasteride daily. To give you some interesting figures, Dutasteride three times a week will remove about 94% of DHT from the 5AR type 2 enzyme, and about 17% of DHT from the 5AR type 1 enzyme. Dutasteride taken daily removes 98-99% from the type 2 enzyme and 50% from the type 1 enzyme. Finasteride, meanwhile, only inhibits the type 2 enzyme, and at an amount of 85-90%. The type 2 enzyme is thought to be the main one implicated in hair loss.

Ty very much for your input... it seems i am likely to investigate the effects of avodart 3 times per week as its a better investment

 

[Artisan]

It seems that your hair loss has not progressed much so far. Considering this and also your young age, I do think finasteride would be the better choice for you. You then have the option of later switching to dutasteride if you find that the finasteride isn't strong enough.

I suppose you could alternatively try a lowered dose of dutasteride such as three times a week as you mention. The effectiveness of dutasteride three times a week is half way between the effectiveness of finasteride daily and the effectiveness of dutasteride daily. To give you some interesting figures, Dutasteride three times a week will remove about 94% of DHT from the 5AR type 2 enzyme, and about 17% of DHT from the 5AR type 1 enzyme. Dutasteride taken daily removes 98-99% from the type 2 enzyme and 50% from the type 1 enzyme. Finasteride, meanwhile, only inhibits the type 2 enzyme, and at an amount of 85-90%. The type 2 enzyme is thought to be the main one implicated in hair loss.

- Be interesting to get you opinion on the safety profile of both of these meds and side effects etc? Finasteride better than dutasteride right in this respect?

 

[LocoRoco]

- Be interesting to get you opinion on the safety profile of both of these meds and side effects etc? Finasteride better than dutasteride right in this respect?

Well... There isn't anything surely guaranteed with the usage of either of these two drugs, though the general consensus would support that if you experience sides from either finasteride or dutasteride your likely to also if you try the other.

 

[AnxiousAndy]

Do NOT take dutasteride at 17 that is just asking for trouble. It could just be a mature hairline, you are Norwood 1 what are you worrying about? Your hair density is f*****g insane too!
If you are that concerned wait til you are 18 and start FINASTERIDE.

 

[BaldyBalderBald]

Your hair seems fine, it could be just a mature hairline, strong NW1, but i would not start something as strong as dutasteride before 20 IMO, you're way too young for this

 

[doyle11]

Dutas at 17 with that level of 'hair loss' is absolutely mental. Take photos of you hair every few months and hop on finasteride at 18 if you start losing ground

 

[LocoRoco]

Yo, I don't just have a maturing hairline... Its miniaturizing as it can be seen at the sides of my hairline and corners. Don't let my density fool your judgment. Its thinning and has been since age 14, I'd say a bit too early for my liking... See pic 1 for reference

PS. Dw, I know what the sides are and I am pretty sure I'll be alright. I have something one might call too much DHT, I ended up growing my full beard at age 14...

 

[AnxiousAndy]

Yo, I don't just have a maturing hairline... Its miniaturizing as it can be seen at the sides of my hairline and corners. Don't let my density fool your judgment. Its thinning and has been since age 14, I'd say a bit too early for my liking... See pic 1 for reference

PS. Dw, I know what the sides are and I am pretty sure I'll be alright. I have something one might call too much DHT, I ended up growing my full beard at age 14...

Whatever you say. dutasteride wont guarantee regrowth or cessation of hair loss. Infact ive seen more failure stories than success stories with dutasteride. I really think you should start with finasteride, less likely to ruin your hairline.

 

[BaldyBalderBald]

Yo, I don't just have a maturing hairline... Its miniaturizing as it can be seen at the sides of my hairline and corners. Don't let my density fool your judgment. Its thinning and has been since age 14, I'd say a bit too early for my liking... See pic 1 for reference

PS. Dw, I know what the sides are and I am pretty sure I'll be alright. I have something one might call too much DHT, I ended up growing my full beard at age 14...

There's no such things as too much DHT, you just hit puberty early, i agree with @AnxiousAndy, start with finasteride

Besides you talk about thinning on pic 1, pic 1 is a pic of your sides....Male pattern baldness starts by thinning your top, not your sides

 

[LocoRoco]

Hmmm, what are the mechanics behind an enzyme receptor that blocks an androgen ruining my hairline?


I guess ill consider finasteride then...

 

[AnxiousAndy]

Hmmm, what are the mechanics behind an enzyme receptor that blocks an androgen ruining my hairline?


I guess ill consider finasteride then...

Nobody knows, its an anomaly in the hair loss world. But rest assured it does happen, and it happened to me with finasteride. I am regaining ground with oral minoxidil though and i am reaching baseline again thankfully. I think finasteride will do the trick for you! dutasteride is too risky in my humble opinion.

 

[Michael1986]

On second thought, I think Dutasteride whether every day or three days a week is too strong a treatment for you at your age and with your level of hair loss. Its hard to tell from your pictures if you even have any hair loss. If you do, it is only very minor so far. I agree with the other posters that you should just keep an eye on your hair over the next few months and see if it gets worse.

- Be interesting to get you opinion on the safety profile of both of these meds and side effects etc? Finasteride better than dutasteride right in this respect?

Dutasteride is the stronger of the two because it inhibits DHT more potently. Therefore, it has a greater prevalence and severity of side-effects.

I believe the side-effects from Finasteride are more common than the 2% prevalence that Merck reported, but a lot less common than the impression given by many users of these forums. I'd say that about 20% of users get side-effects to some degree, of whom about 2% have sides that are severe enough that they need to stop treatment. Dutasteride would no doubt have a greater incidence of sides. Probably not hugely greater, just a little bit greater.

There's an additional concern with Dutasteride however, which is the fact that it inhibits the type 1 5AR enzyme which is present in the brain tissue in measurable amounts. Finasteride does not inhibit the type 1 5AR enzyme, only the type 2 enzyme. It is not yet known what the long-term implications could be of inhibiting the action of this enzyme that is present in the brain. So that is an additional risk with Dutasteride.

Hmmm, what are the mechanics behind an enzyme receptor that blocks an androgen ruining my hairline?

There is no scientific basis for the belief that Dutasteride can "ruin your hairline". It is an idea that some members of these forums seem have got into their heads and which keeps getting tossed around, but it is not backed up by any scientific evidence or logic.

 

[Artisan]

Hmmm, what are the mechanics behind an enzyme receptor that blocks an androgen ruining my hairline?


I guess ill consider finasteride then...

Why not just try Minoxidil first?

 

[LocoRoco]

Why not just try Minoxidil first?

I'd rather not... It's far too tedious to use it, plus it will inevitably cause a horrible shed once I get too lazy to apply it and stop overall. Whereas suppose I maintain my hair on a couple'o pills a year till the time a 'cure' and let me say I am saying this very lightly a 'cure' comes out. I could slowly get off the medication but with minoxidil it will cause a shed either way because it uses a completely different method of maintaining the hair. In a way its not maintaining it but keeping it alive with its specific formula, whereas an anti-androgen is literally blocking the DHT from attacking the follicles. You can get to a pheasible 'permanent' cure with anti-androgens in which case you chemically castrate yourself every 6 months or so and go off the dutasteride but not with minoxidil, it will cause that shed and your hair will fall. At least from my hypothesis.

Plus the main reason is because I'll probs get too lazy and lose all my gains.

PS. I won't actually chemically castrate until my sexual functions become redundant... Like age 50

 

[LocoRoco]

What I meant to say was I want an anti-androgen to maintain my hair until an actual cure comes out, if it does... Minoxidil can make me lose all my gains when I get this cure and try going off minoxidil because that is how the drug functions.