12 replies to this topic

[testxtest]

I heard it was possible to take a much lower dose of finasteride in order to minimize the side effects while having the same hair saving effects. There was a graph that showed this but I don't remember where I saw it. Does anyone know the best dose?

What supplements are best to take in order to minimize side effects?

Is it true that DHT is important for developing the brain (finasteride blocks DHT)? Can this cause a permanent side effect?

Is it safe to take finasteride if you are 20 years old?

[testxtest]

5alpha-reductase is a critical enzyme in the conversion of several steroids such as testosterone, progesterone, aldosterone and corticosterone in the brain. This enzyme converts testosterone to the most natural potent androgen DHT, and also it acts an important role in conversion of progesterone to dihhydroprogesterone (DHP). DHP is further converted to allopregnanolone (5alpha, 3alpha-tetrahydroprogesterone) by 3alpha-HSD [9,21]. Allopregnanolone is a modulator of gamma amino butyric acid type A receptor (GABA-A), and increases chloride conductance. This neurosteroid has been found to exert anti-convulsant, anesthetic and anxiolytic effects [22-24]. Moreover, change in the levels of allopregnanolone is found to be associated with depressive disorders. [25,26]

http://www.biomedcen...m/1472-6904/6/7

Is this effect dangerous to the brain or is it too small to notice? Should you wait until the brain is fully developed? Can a supplement fix this?





http://www.physics.u...s/propeciafda2/

There are graphs on this site. Do you think that they imply that 0.05 mg finasteride per day is the safest? This gives good reduction of DHT but since the dose is low maybe the side effects are less. How can I find this out with certainty?

[lynx]

If you are really concerned about side effects, which you should be, especially given the problems that 5AR reduction induces in the brain via allopregnanolone, then find a topical way to reduce 5AR, or shave your head.

[testxtest]

All topical 5AR inhibitors will have systemic effects as well, so there is no difference in side effects. I have not found any substance that can reduce DHT selectively in the scalp.

[JoL]

All topical 5AR inhibitors will have systemic effects as well, so there is no difference in side effects. I have not found any substance that can reduce DHT selectively in the scalp.

There are substances which can topically block the androgen receptors, like flutamide and spironolactone. These don't block the formation of DHT but prevent it from binding to the receptor.

[testxtest]

Where does it say that these substances have no systemic effects when applied topically?

[JoL]

Where does it say that these substances have no systemic effects when applied topically?

Actually, flutamide does have systemic effects. AFAIR spironolactone does not.

[testxtest]

Do you know any studies saying that spiro has no systemic effects?

Does anyone use spiro? Any results with it? Shampoo version or liquid version over night?

[lynx]

lots of people use spiro, apparently it smells though. Dr Lee sells topical spiro.

[yoyo]

You can use finas topically. proper doses will deactive nearly all the 5arII. Most dht is made locally, so this will give most of the benefit of systematic use. The amount needed is not enough to cause significant systematic reduction in dht.

[testxtest]

You can use finas topically. proper doses will deactive nearly all the 5arII. Most dht is made locally, so this will give most of the benefit of systematic use. The amount needed is not enough to cause significant systematic reduction in dht.

Where can I read more about this method?

[testxtest]

What about this shampoo I'm going to make:

2% ketoconazole shampoo (Nizoral) where I add:
spironolactone (so it becomes 5%) (I will ground up tablets to powder)
caffeine - 10 g / 237 ml (I read about this concentration on another site)

"Significant growth suppression was found in hair follicles treated with 5 µg/ml testosterone. This was counteracted by caffeine in concentrations of 0.001% and 0.005%. Moreover, caffeine alone led to a significant stimulation of hair follicle growth."http://www3.intersci...l...=1&SRETRY=0

[tintinet]

It's all been done: Topicals, FWIW.

What about this shampoo I'm going to make:

2% ketoconazole shampoo (Nizoral) where I add:
spironolactone (so it becomes 5%) (I will ground up tablets to powder)
caffeine - 10 g / 237 ml (I read about this concentration on another site)

"Significant growth suppression was found in hair follicles treated with 5 µg/ml testosterone. This was counteracted by caffeine in concentrations of 0.001% and 0.005%. Moreover, caffeine alone led to a significant stimulation of hair follicle growth."http://www3.intersci...l...=1&SRETRY=0