Author: Dr. William Rassman

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Effectiveness of DHT blockers

My question is; does finasteride and dutasteride lost effectiveness over-time in the body? Like, say in decades, would my body become used to dutasteride and it will lose its effectiveness and hair loss will resume or can I preserve my hair forever (until I’m a senior, theoretically) just from taking 0.5 mg of dut everyday for the rest of my life?

Another question, will the hairs that grew back become thick like how they were before they fell out? Is there anything I can do to make them thicker or do I just have to keep taking the drug and wait longer?

It is not the blood levels of these drugs that are important, but the tissue fixation that occurs after taking the drug. The tissue fixation of finasteride is about 7-9 days while the tissue fixation of dutasteride is about 6 weeks. These drugs generally do not lose effectiveness but the balding pattern is tied to apoptosis (cell death) which these hairs undergo over time. These drugs slow the process down but will not prevent the outcome, which is inevitable.

In the early stages of use, when miniaturization is high and newly formed, the probability that these drugs will reverse the miniaturization process, making these hair stronger and less miniaturized, will be good.

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Effectiveness of finasteride in 126 men over 5 years (two hospital study)

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1346-8138.14719

Abstract

Finasteride 1 mg is considered to be the standard treatment method for male androgenetic alopecia (AGA). However, there have only been a few studies investigating its long term efficacy. Moreover, its effect on various types of AGA remains unknown. In this study, the authors investigated the 5 year efficacy of finasteride 1 mg in Korean men with AGA and analyzed the changes in hair growth according to the distribution of hair loss. The medical records of male AGA patients who were treated with oral finasteride for a period of at least 5 years at two university hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. Patients’ photographs were evaluated using the basic and specific (BASP) classification and investigator’s global assessment. Of the total 126 patients, 108 (85.7%) showed improvement after 5 years of treatment. According to the BASP classification, hair loss of the anterior hair line (basic type), vertex (V type), and frontal area (F type) was improved in 44.4%, 89.7% and 61.2% of patients, respectively. The V type showed a more rapid and steady improvement compared with the other types. Progression of alopecia after peak improvement was seen in 10.3% of cases of the V type, 16.2% of the F type and 0% of the basic type. In conclusion, finasteride 1 mg showed a sustainable effect for at least 5 years in Korean male AGA patients. The exact time points showing signs of first clinical improvement and sustainability were different depending on the type of alopecia


2019-11-25 10:02:01Effectiveness of finasteride in 126 men over 5 years (two hospital study)

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Effects of Hard Water and Hair Loss

Some variation of this question has been posted on this blog before but I would like to ask:

Can hard water indirectly cause hair loss? I am not asking about the effects of hard water on genetic baldness but whether hard water can aggravate scalp conditions in sensitive subjects, thereby accelerating hair loss. I suffer from seborrheic dermatitis and I am noticing more aggressive hair loss when washing with hard water compared to soft (my parents have a water softener).

If so, what do you recommend doing? Is there any benefit to washing with soft water or distilled water? Is this hair loss permanent?

Hard water just means it has higher mineral content in general. It does not cause or accelerate hair loss as far a I am concerned. If you think it is affecting your hair, you can always try soft water. But I personally do not see its benefit with respect to genetic hair loss, more of a washing issue

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Effects of inhibiting DHT for the brain and body?

Since the brain is androgen-dependent, and males do not stop fully developing mentally before age 26 and physically before age 22, wouldn’t supressing DHT with finasteride stunt growth in a male who hasn’t hit 26 yet?

Has anyone here taken finasteride in their late teens and still physically and mentally developed as normal? If so I’d love to hear more, just for encouragement as all the stories I’ve heard have scared me shitless, and I have yet to take fin from my unopened bottle on my desk.

Yes, there have been reports of brain fog in rare individuals. If you are one of them, stopping the finasteride is a good idea. There has been no evidence that taking finasteride for a man over 17, causes growth problems. As far as sexual side effects.this article I think gives an answer to that question: https://baldingblog.com/new-report-that-finasteride-does-not-cause-sexual-side-effects/


2019-06-22 09:16:53Effects of inhibiting DHT for the brain and body?

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Effectiveness of finasteride & serum Testosterone levels

These two classic article cover the dose effectiveness of finasteride ranging from 0.1mg to 1mg daily as well as the serum testosterone effects from this drug

https://booksc.xyz/book/17840978/d696b4

https://booksc.xyz/book/17840977/b2aead


2020-12-07 08:37:41Effectiveness of finasteride & serum Testosterone levels

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Elevated Bilirubin Levels from Finasteride?

I am a 51 y/o male. I have been taking Finasteride for the past 4 yrs. I also take Lovastatin for my cholesterol. My latest blood test showed elevated levels of Bilirubin. My doctor stated that it might be from the Finastride and that it is a possible side effect of the drug. I can’t find any info on this claim and I find it hard to believe that it all of a sudden is causing this.

Can you help me? I don’t want to stop taking the Finasteride and lose the results. I also must add that Dr. Pak did a procedure on me just about 2 yrs. ago and I love the results. Thank You.

I’m glad you are enjoying the results of your hair transplant!

I would ask your doctor to look for another cause of liver dysfunction. I have not heard or read about finasteride causing this type of problem. Lovastatin and similar medications do report elevated bilirubin levels as a possible side effect, however.

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Elderly Woman’s Hair Loss

I am 68 years old, very active & healthy. Approximately 2 years ago I went through a stressful time & started loosing my hair. The stressful time is way behind me & im balding from ear to ear ( located where a headband would be placed. My dermatologist recommended I see Dr. Vera Price immediately. I want to have all of my blood work done ahead if time. What blood tests should I have done?

My initial reaction is to advise you to visit the doctor your dermatologist recommended. Once you’ve been examined by Dr. Price, she should know which blood tests to order. If you want to know ahead of time, call the office and simply ask.