Upping Fin dosage

[tom4]

Hi,

so a bit about myself.

I've started to notice hairloss back at 1997, when I was 21 years old. Mostly diffuse thinning. I started taking 1mg of Propecia in 2001 and it pretty much maintained all of my hair. So I was really happy with it.

So, last year, I started taking 1mg every other day. To see, if it would still be effective and also to cut the costs.

However after a year now I am kinda not sure if my hair has gotten slightly thinner? It's difficult to tell, because I long since don'T monitor it, because I hardly ever think about it. Also, out of curiosity I started rubbing my hair over the sink. Every time I did some hairs would come out. But I don't remember ever doing this before, so maybe it's normal? I don't know.

So, I wanna get back to the 1mg, since I don't want to risk the hair I have maintained for so long.

So, my question, how should I go about this? Should I just start taking a pill every day again, like I did for 14 years, or should I ease into it?

[abandonhope]

I'm not a doctor but I'm 99.99% certain there is no "easing" into a 1mg dose of finasteride. It's a very low dose compared to the 5mg given to men with enlarged prostates.

just take it the same way you took it before.

[JohnMPB]

I mean, you could try easing into it if you really wanted to like just adding an extra fin pill every week until you're back on it everyday but it probably won't make a difference long term since you've been on it so long (that's only my opinion of course and I'm no MD).

Some questions...

Are you only on fin or other treatments?

Do you take name brand propecia?

What Norwood are you now and when you started?

[tom4]

I've only used original Propecia. Tried Nizoral at the beginning, but quiting it didn't do anything, so I stopped.

I'm a Norwood 2 with overall thinning. I pretty much have kept the hair I had when I started, but lately I'm not sure about the front anymore. The thing is, I haven't thought about my hairloss in ages, since it I fixed it so long ago. So I don't really have good pics to compare. This also is during the time I cut the dosage.

So I will go back to the dosage that worked for me so long. Also thinking about starting Proscar later to cut the costs.

[tom4]

Ok, so today I was at a dermatologist. I kind of freaked out and wanted a neutral opinion on my hair.

He's supposed to be a hair specialist, also offering PRP.

He took a look at my hair with a magnifying glass. He said, that he does see some telogenic hair on the front and also a few in the back, but my status is very good, especially the overall coverage. He ran his fingers through my hair with a glove and told me that the hair falling out is nothing to worry about, since he only had a few on his hand.

I told him, that I halved the Finasterid dosage some months ago and that this coincides with what I perceive as a worsened state in the frontal area. He told me to get back on the 1mg dosage and see what happens. He took pictures and proposed that I should come in about half a year to see how I'm doing.

I kind of freaked out, because my lowering of the dosage might have caused me to lose some in the front. I don't know. My plan is to stick to 1mg for half a year and then see how I'm doing. What do you guys think?

I really don't want to add Minox, unless it's absolutely neccessary. But I'm thinking about going back on Keto. I used it when I first went on Finasterid and I don'T know if it did anything, but my hair loss was obviously stopped. I quit using it some 6 years ago.

I'm kind of in panic mode now because of my hair, which I haven't been for 15 years. I hope I'm dong the right thing.

[tom4]

Another thing, I had recently my Testosteron tested and it's 8,2 (8,32 is the upper limit for the normal Testo rate in a 20-49 year old), which is really high for me being 40. I do workout often and intensly and I eat right and also take Zink. Maybe 0.5mg is just not enough for my high Testo levels?

[Mike03]

Another thing, I had recently my Testosteron tested and it's 8,2 (8,32 is the upper limit for the normal Testo rate in a 20-49 year old), which is really high for me being 40. I do workout often and intensly and I eat right and also take Zink. Maybe 0.5mg is just not enough for my high Testo levels?

interesting theory and correct probably since testosterone converts to DHT so the average dose is for someone with average testosterone. then again people with hair loss probably on average have higher testosterone and dht and if thats the case maybe its already been accounted for in studies. anyone know if people with hair loss tend to have higher dht/testosterone levels?

[tom4]

But isn't Finasteride supposed to elevate Testosterone?

[tom4]

Guys, I've tried to recreate a photo from last year September. I think my front has worsened after 15 years!!

The photo from now is in better focus and maybe the lighting is a bit different, but still. And this has occured in only 7 months! Makes me think of wether I should wait for anoterh 6 month if the reupping of Fin to 1mg and Ket will help, or I should throw everything there is at it right away!

September:

http://s75.imgup.net/7months9431.png

Now:

http://m30.imgup.net/now0f52.png

Here's my front in 2009 (natural ligthing and no good picture quality):

http://b71.imgup.net/02_2009_fr343d.png

And here from July last year, with hair gel (this looks again worse than the one from September, but this is due to lighting and the gel I guess.)

http://v53.imgup.net/04_jul_2010efe.png

Please comment, guy!

[JohnMPB]

Dude are you serious? I'd kill to have that hair at 40. Wowww

[tom4]

I know that I still have good hair. What I'm not sure is whether I'm losing ground.

[tom4]

Anyways, I'd still like to hear your assessement, guys!

(Pics on page 1)

[BaldingEagle]

Dude are you serious? I'd kill to have that hair at 40. Wowww

This

[BaldingEagle]

Anyways, I'd still like to hear your assessement, guys!

(Pics on page 1)

Hair quality in both genders decreases as we age. Meds don't stop aging lol. You aren't going to look young forever.

Enjoy the great hair you have and go live life.

[Soonbald]

to be honest...this post is really DRAMATIC and PATHETIC, your hair looks GREAT for 40..you have kept your hair for 14-15 years now you should be VERY happy for those years...stop Crying and grow up already.. im 28 years old my hair is in much worse state than yours..and I cant even take finasteride due to Eye problems..how do you Think I feel? I cant stop my hairloss whatsoever..I have to accept going bald unlike you because you can tolerate finasteride so damn good without issues...be damn happy! you wont go bald ANYTIME SOON...even if finasteride dont work as good anymore you will still have HAIR at 50 -_-