High Cortisol Blood Levels & Propecia?

[montreal6130]

Hi,

I was on fin for about 3 years and got off it in late August (~6 months). Anyhow, I've been dealing with some physical/muscular pains for about 1 1/2 years and done so many tests. I never connected the pains with fin and still don't. Anyhow, I was diagnosed with something vague called Fibromyalgia. However, today I was at my Endcronologist to go over my final blood work and it seems that my cortisol levels are high. Cortisol levels are associated with stress which is not really how I would describe myself at all.

I'm curious but has anyone experienced or heard of high cortisol levels associated with someone who had been using fin 'long-term'?

Anyhow, any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[topcat]

I'm curious if you happen to be on any statins?

[montreal6130]

no, I took for about 3 years 1mg propecia and 1 multi-vitamin at the same time each morning. And now for the past 6 months it's been the multi-vitamin with a couple extra vitamins (i.e. D, Biotin, Green Tea extract).

that's been pretty much it.

[baldesswonder]

Cortisol levels also can effect testosterone levels. Since propecia can interfere with testosterone levels I wonder if it had a role in your cortisol?

[montreal6130]

yeah, I assume it is propecia (not sure) but high cortisol is mainly associated with stress and something called Cushing's disease but both those don't make sense for me. I assume with time off the medication things will make their way back to normal.

[baldesswonder]

actually anabolic steroids (mimicing testosterone in body) work so well because they block cortisol so there is a correlation. Cortisol is high when testosterone levels are low which is why stressed people will have a drop in testsosterone levels. I definitely think propecia had a strong possibility in causing your high cortisol.

[baldozer]

actually anabolic steroids (mimicing testosterone in body) work so well because they block cortisol so there is a correlation. Cortisol is high when testosterone levels are low which is why stressed people will have a drop in testsosterone levels. I definitely think propecia had a strong possibility in causing your high cortisol.

But propecia lowers DHT, not testosterone. Infact it increases testosterone since less of it is converted to DHT.

[baldesswonder]

But propecia lowers DHT, not testosterone. Infact it increases testosterone since less of it is converted to DHT.

Good point, but actually DHT is actually 2.5 times more potent androgenic in the body than testosterone. So swapping dht for testosterone which is much less potent would still make sense for an increase in cortisol. DHT is very good at blocking cortisol but propecia lowers it for testosterone which isn't anywhere near as good (androgenic).

[baldozer]

Good point, but actually DHT is actually 2.5 times more potent androgenic in the body than testosterone. So swapping dht for testosterone which is much less potent would still make sense for an increase in cortisol. DHT is very good at blocking cortisol but propecia lowers it for testosterone which isn't anywhere near as good (androgenic).

If that is indeed the case, that is propecia increasing cortisol, then I would say propecia is a very dangerous drug as high cortisol levels can be a cause of dangerous diseases like hypertension, diabetes, kidney diseases etc.