Switched from fin to dut, how to tell if it's shedding or lost of hair

[dm90]

You lost 70lbs? I would say that was probably a big factor involved in your TE.

[BaldingHelpMe]

This. It is in my opinion that reducing DHT will never induce androgenic alopecia

This is what I hope and believe now. I'm now taking only dut, and stop fin completely. I've been on dut only since the end of dec 15.

I now believe the huge shedding was due to TE, but not sure what caused it. I lost 70 lbs and switched from fin to dut, so I'm not sure if it was my extreme weight loss and lifestyle change or drug change, or maybe both.

[dm90]

This. It is in my opinion that reducing DHT will never induce androgenic alopecia, it makes no sense even if you prescribe to the theory of AR upregulation. However, telogen effluvium seems to occur from just about anything. Just look at the side effect of any psychiatric medication, medical diet, or really any lifestyle change. Sure enough you'll see "hairloss" as a side effect. Who knows why the exact biochemical reason but hormonal shifts cause TE, but remember TE isn't AGA.

[benjamintl]

thanks its advice like this thats a godsend

[Foreverlacey]

This was explained to me by my endocrinologist. When starting these drugs they will generally trigger a telogen effluvium as a result of the hormonal changes. An acute form of telogen effluvium will occur 3 to 4 months after the trigger event and generally last for 3 to 6 months. For most people, the shedding phase should stop between months 6 and 10. This is why most doctors say to give them a year to see if they are helping.

[benjamintl]

i have been on dutasteride for about 5 months now , was on propecia for 8 prior to switching and i had a huge shed in the first few months and then it kind of stopped and now im shedding again but about 20+ hairs a day , i no they say shedding is a good sign and that it means the medication is working , but when will the shedding stop and what is the cut off limit on the medication if i see no results , i take 0.5mg a day and propecia seemed to work for me stopping the hairloss and thickening slightly and had no sides and my only real side on dut is the shed , i could really do with some advice ? thanks

[BaldingHelpMe]

Lastly you may be experiencing telogen effluvium which is usually caused by a stressor 3 months prior to your shedding.

Now I believe that telogen effluvium is what I'm experiencing. I'm a typical genetic MPB sufferer, but fin has definitely helped maintained my hair for the last 12 years. But adding 0.5mg dut 6 months ago causes my hairs to go to TE phrase.

I'm still taking fin every day, along with vitamin B complex, vitamin C, biotin, zinc, and oemga-3 fish oil. When can I expect to get out of TE and have my hair start to grow? I also wash my hair every day and use keto 2% shampoo twice weekly.

[BaldingHelpMe]

BaldingHelpME
I don't think your shedding is due to Finasteride or Dutasteride.

My problem is pure typical Male Pattern Baldness. I have already been on fin for over 12 years, I have only added dut 0.5mg 5 months ago. I can actually see many tiny vellus hairs around my headline, I don't know when they will eventually become real healthy permanent hairs if ever.

I've stopped taking dut now, and continue to taking fin only. Hope that solves the problem.

[Paul Shapiro, MD]

BaldingHelpME
I don't think your shedding is due to Finasteride or Dutasteride. If that was to cause a problem you should have experienced shedding much sooner.
Also as I said Dutasteride is very similar to Finasteride but blocks two enzymes instead of one. The studies show that you should stop finasteride and go on a higher does of Dutasteride. At least 1mg a day. That is what I would suggest. Also I would look for other reasons of shedding. Your shedding may not be due to Male Pattern Balding. You should see a hair specialist in your area. Preferably a dermatologist that specializes in hair. Lastly you may be experiencing telogen effluvium which is usually caused by a stressor 3 months prior to your shedding.
Also maybe your genetics is just programmed to be resistant to alpha reducates inhibitors starting at your age. If that is true you may want to try some other treatments like laser, PRP, and ACell.
Dr Paul

[jjo]

When you switched to dut, do you also take fin along with it? So you've been on dut for 2 years, does it work better than fin? Has the hair that shed come back? Shedding should have been stopped by now, right?

i very slowly swiched from fin to dut over months.. i just take dut and i skip a day every so often because of half life. i think it works better but i'm not getting the regrowth i did when i started fin because back then i was using dr lee's minox. now i just use kirkland minox.
yeah i shed and it comes back.. i'm going through a big shed now and hopefully it comes back better... even through the sheds i know the drug is working

[BaldingHelpMe]

i've got similar story as you.. i was on fin for like 12 years and when it stopped working i slowly switched to dut. i've been on dut for over 2 years now and have been going through a shed for a while right now.. shed's suck but ride it out... to go on and off the drug is the worst thing, stick with it man

When you switched to dut, do you also take fin along with it? So you've been on dut for 2 years, does it work better than fin? Has the hair that shed come back? Shedding should have been stopped by now, right?

[BaldingHelpMe]

i've got similar story as you.. i was on fin for like 12 years and when it stopped working i slowly switched to dut. i've been on dut for over 2 years now and have been going through a shed for a while right now.. shed's suck but ride it out... to go on and off the drug is the worst thing, stick with it man

When you switched to dut, do you also take fin along with it? So you've been on dut for 2 years, does it work better than fin? Has the hair that shed come back? Shedding should have been stopped by now, right?

[jjo]

Dr Paul,

Thanks so much for your reply. The problem is, I've been on fin for the last 12 years, it has help kept my hair for the most part, and I've never experienced shedding like this before. My crown area is very visible now.

However, I got greedy and added dutasteride to my daily regime, and I had a big shed. Since dut has such a long half-life, I've decided just completely drop fin, and go forward with dutasteride daily now. I'm really gambling with my life, if I go bald, my life is over.

If you think I should stop dut, and take fin only, please let me know.

i've got similar story as you.. i was on fin for like 12 years and when it stopped working i slowly switched to dut. i've been on dut for over 2 years now and have been going through a shed for a while right now.. shed's suck but ride it out... to go on and off the drug is the worst thing, stick with it man

[BaldingHelpMe]

Also, does the regular testosterone contribute to MPB? Dutasteride does raise up the regular testosterone, as I'm also experiencing high libido.

[BaldingHelpMe]

BaldingHelpMe:
Just to review. Both Finasteride and Dutasteride work by blocking an enzyme called 5 alpha reductase which is the enzyme in our body that converts Testosterone into Dihydrotestosterone. There are two types of alpha reductase in our body, type I and Type II. Finasteride is a potent inhibitor of the type 2 reductase and mild inhibitor of type 1 reductase. Dutasteride is a potent inhibitor of both. If you are taking Dutasteride there is no need to take Finasteride since the Dutasteride blocks the type 2 receptor to a greater extent than Finasteride.

Dr Paul,

Thanks so much for your reply. The problem is, I've been on fin for the last 12 years, it has help kept my hair for the most part, and I've never experienced shedding like this before. My crown area is very visible now.

However, I got greedy and added dutasteride to my daily regime, and I had a big shed. Since dut has such a long half-life, I've decided just completely drop fin, and go forward with dutasteride daily now. I'm really gambling with my life, if I go bald, my life is over.

If you think I should stop dut, and take fin only, please let me know.