Drugs – Page 286 – Balding Blog

January 29, 2007

Testosterone Replacement, HGH, and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I’ve been on testosterone replacement for 2 years. I’ve recently had to start (hgh) therapy also. I’ve now noticed hair loss in the front area of my head and in the crown. I don’t know whether to stop all hormone replacement which I apparently need or try taking finasteride? I’m worried about the sexual side effects obviously of finasteride. Seems like a catch 22 to me. Low hormone levels are a danger in themselves but I don’t want to lose my hair. I ‘m sure this is a common problem but would like some thoughts on treatments. I’m 57 years old and just NOW am seeing hair loss. Is there any evidence or data saying that HGH can cause hair loss? It seems like it really got bad when I added that to my therapy 3 months ago?? Thanks for any help or opinions you may have . Regards

HGH and testosterone treatments cause hair loss, big time.

If you are worried about the 1% sexual side effect of taking finasteride, you should understand that the side effect does go away once you stop taking the medication. In other words, if you have androgenic hair loss and want to do something about it, finasteride can only help. If you are one of the minority 1% of the patients who experience the sexual side effect, stop taking it completely or try cutting the pill in half (50% dose). As with all drugs, you should consult your doctor before starting or stopping any medication.

Taking finasteride with HGH and testosterone may help reduce the hair loss effect. For many of our readers, it is important to note that the use of HGH and testosterone is part of an anti-aging routine offered by many doctors. This man did not say why he was taking HGH and testosterone, but many men feel revitalized from its use. Often it is used with aggressive anti-oxidant therapies as well. Most men want to feel years younger and more sexual, and the combination of HGH and testosterone does make this happen. The cost in actual dollars is expensive, but the cost in hair may not be reversible.

January 26, 2007

Taking Biotin, Fish Oil, and Lysine – Now My Hair Is Falling Out Faster – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am 30 years old,and have been dealing with thinning hair since I was 16, mostly in the front.

My question is, can certain vitamin/amino acid supplements increase rate of hair loss? I recently added Biotin, Fish Oil and Lysine to my normal supplements which include a multi-vitamin,C, folic acid and B-12 and it seems like my hair is falling out faster lately.

Also does dividing 5mg of Proscar into roughly 4 tablets work as well as Propecia since they are the same drug?

Thanks!

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“Excessive intakes of nutritional supplements may actually cause hair loss and are not recommended in the absence of a proven deficiency”, as published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology.

I might suggest that you stop taking these supplements. Dividing 5mg finasteride tablets into four 1.25 mg portions can be slightly difficult for some (it is even more difficult to cut it into five pieces), but should absolutely be as effective as the 1mg Propecia product.

January 25, 2007

Hair Length for Miniaturization Mapping? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

What’s the best hair length for an initial consultation to have my head mapped for miniaturization? I’m 32 and in the last few years, I’ve noticed I have developed a “mature” hairline and there appears to be miniaturization occurring at the front inch of my hairline and at the left and right rear vertex of my head. It’s hard to tell though since I still have all my hair. It just appears thinner. I scheduled an appointment for the beginning of February to have the mapping done so I know if my hunch is correct. Thanks.

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Norwood Class 3V You are doing it right. The key is to get your hair mapped out for miniaturization to find out if you have a Class 3Vertex pattern developing, something not uncommon in a balding 32 year old. A good doctor should be able to diagnose and map your head with growth that is as short as 2mm length. You should be on Propecia (finasteride), as this will slow down the process and possibly reverse what is happening in the crown (vertex).

January 25, 2007

Taking Avodart and Discontinuing Propecia – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have been on Propecia now for about 4 years. I did get some regrowth and thickening, but everything now has leveled off. Because I would like to get more density in my crown area, I went on .5 mg of Avodart yesterday. When do you think I can discontinue my treatment of Propecia without losing any of those results since I am now on Avodart? Or do you think it is wiser to remain on both drugs? Also, do you think the generic form of Avodart which I think is called Dutagen will have the same benefits? Thank you.

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You are asking me questions to which the answers are unknown. I can logically tell you that if you are taking Avodart, there is no need for finasteride anymore. Let me know if you have benefits from the change in medication and if so, when you started to observe it. I have no experience with the generic Avodart, as neither medication is FDA approved for the treatment of hair loss.

January 25, 2007

Hair Loss InformationRogaine on the Forehead – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Doc,

I am a 24 year old male and am just starting to use Rogaine. I have no hair loss on the top of my head, but have the widow’s peak going. I am trying to find out if Rogaine works the same on the forehead as on the back of the head. The directions on Rogaine said “not intended for forehead use”, but I didn’t think it mattered. I also use Procerin as well. Should I continue to use this, or is it detrimental to my hair? Any information would help.

Thanks

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Procerin states that it reverses hair loss and there is promotion that it is a DHT blocker without any proof. The buyer should be on alert with such claims in the product. Are you wasting your money?

Minoxidil (Rogaine) is worth a try for keeping the widow’s peak, but Propecia would be better. Let me know what happens to you, as there is no evidence one way or the other that either medication will hold the widow’s peak that is disappearing from MPB genetics.

January 24, 2007

Dilated Pupils and Propecia – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi,

Great website! I recently had a consult to see if I am a candidate for Lasik eye surgery. I was told by the eye doctor that my pupils are too large, and this may be a result of propecia, which I began taking two weeks ago. Does propecia cause dilated pupils that you are aware of, and if so, is it temporary? Also, can excessive scratching of the scalp cause thinning hair in a person without MPB, or does it accelerate it if that person has MPB? I was told by a hairdresser that I have thinning in an unusual place, and this may be caused by excesive scratching in that area.

Thanks so much.

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Dilated pupils are not known complications from Propecia (finasteride) at normal prescribed doses. I can not imagine what your doctor is talking about.

Scratching may reflect a drying scalp from hair thinning and it usually can be treated with shampoos and conditioners for dry skin.

January 24, 2007

Prescription Drugs After a Hair Transplant – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

i have had a transplant recently. can you tell me if any presription drugs should not be used. like high blood pressure medicine or viagra.

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I look at a hair transplant as a non-event, so that whatever medications you used prior to the transplant should be continued as if there was no transplant ever done. There are medications that should be stopped prior to a transplant and that would include those medications that interfere with bleeding. I am assuming that the patient is in good health.

January 24, 2007

Propecia and DUPA – Balding Blog

Dear Dr. Rassman:

Thanks for the informative website.

I am a 28 year old male who has been diagnosed with diffuse unpatterned alopecia (DUPA), and I have some questions about available treatments.

My doctor prescribed Propecia, which I have just started taking. I was wondering about its effectiveness with my condition. Your blog says in various places that finasteride works for about 50% of people with DUPA. Does that mean that 50% experience regrowth, or just a halting of the DUPA process? I feel that my DUPA hasn’t progressed particularly rapidly, and while I would love to have regrowth, I certainly would also be happy to have the process halted.

Also, I have been using Rogaine foam for about 10 weeks with no noticeable results thus far. I end up using a lot of it, as I use it on almost my entire head, and as you can imagine it’s an expensive pain. Is there any reason that minoxidil does/should work better or worse with DUPA, such that I might stop using it and use only finasteride?

Thanks

Benefits for diffuse unpatterned alopecia (DUPA) with Propecia (finasteride 1mg) is a subjective call on my part. You may see cessation of the process or reversal. Half of patients who I follow, have no impact from the medications.

The effects of minoxidil (foam or otherwise) will not be seen for 8-12 months. Wait it out.

January 23, 2007

Proving the Authentication of a Generic Drug – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dear Doctor;

I understand there is a pharmaceutical company by the name of Dr. Reddy’s, based in India. I did some research, and though it is not one of the heavy-hitters like GSK, or Pfizer, they are publically traded. I examined the website and saw that they sell generic Dutasteride, named “Dutas”. My question is this: Has GSK released a generic form of Avodart? Is Dr. Reddy’s allowed to sell a generic form of Dutasteride? How would I know that this “Dutas” is actually Dutasteride? Avodaty soft-gels are printed with the characters
“GX CE2″. Is there an identifier on generic Dutasteride that would prove its authentication? Thanks so much!

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Dr Reddys Drug substitution is a buyer beware market. Generally, if a generic is sold in the United States and obtained from a reputable pharmacy, it must be from a good source, scrutinized by the FDA and meeting FDA requirements. If you buy the manufacturer’s brand and there is no ‘fake’ drug substituted (when it is done it is usually done in the supply chain through illegal means), then you are getting the real drug.

I understand that Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories is the 2nd largest pharmaceutical company in India, which would make it quite a well known company. I am not privy to know the dealings between Dr. Reddy’s and the original manufacturers of the drugs you listed. I know little more than you do when it comes to this, but fake drugs or drug piracy is a real problem in today’s market. Even some of the brand named drugs could be subject to substitution. For further reading about Dr. Reddy’s, here’s a list of facts I found on their site — Fact Book.

With all this being said, I do think that you must do the research on your own to truly make yourself comfortable.

January 23, 2007

Castration To Treat Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello Dr. Rassman,

In one of the rare on-topic posts to the Usenet group alt.baldspot, someone cited a study from the U. of Washington investigating, among various things, a chemical called acyline:

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.baldspot/msg/d2a641313cf28285

They suggest that it can be used as an agent to induce medical castration (suppressing testosterone production?)

I imagine you’d have a rough time finding a doctor who’d prescribe any such thing, but in theory, would such treatment stop balding cold, more completely than would a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor? If I’ve gotten the processes down properly, DHT production is not possible in the absence of testosterone.

I imagine it’d also completely eliminate one’s libido as well. Maybe I’m nuts to think it, but I doubt that’d bother me. It’s not been of much use to me anyway, but losing my hair is going to pretty quickly kill off whatever hope remains for the future.

Well, thanks for reading. The accolades on the site from your readers are well deserved.

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Castration of a male will stop the balding process. What hair loss that happened prior to the castration will not reverse. So if you lost all of your frontal hair and are starting to lose the crown hair, being castrated (medically or surgically) will not reverse the frontal hair loss, but will probably halt the hair loss in the crown. Sounds like you are depressed. You might seek help.