22M, unsure of next steps.

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Chris2000

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Hey everybody, just got some questions, hope you guys can point me in the right direction. I just turned 22 last month, and I’m already dealing with some pretty significant hair loss. Everything seemed to be fine until a little over 2 years ago when I went for a haircut and the barber commented that I was getting a little thinner up top. Didn’t really think anything before then because no one had said anything. Tried some Rogaine 1x a day, and some shampoo that they recommended. Loss seemed to stabilize, although I didn’t get any regrowth. Last year it started falling out a lot. Made an appointment at a dermatologist, they checked hormone levels, advised me to do red light therapy, more Rogaine, and Propecia, microneedling with rosemary oil, and to think about PRP treatment. They also recommended multivitamin, Biotin, and Flax Seed Oil. I tried the medicines and supplements, and invested in a red light comb that I did 3x a week, 15 minutes a night. Waited on starting Propecia out of concern for side effects. Didn’t see any improvement , but I stabilized again for a few months, then I started losing again. I gave in and did the PRP therapy, just finished a 6 months program in January. It’s hard to say that it was worth the money, I really haven’t seen any improvement at all. On my bloodwork, my T levels were in the 400-600 range, and DHT was 250-450. I have not had much success finding out if those levels are high or what, doctor seemed to think that it was high enough for male pattern baldness though, but it seems lower than a lot of the levels I’ve seen posted on here. To complicate things, I’ve been thinking about quitting the Propecia, starting to get quite a few side effects. Basically I’m feeling like a teen that just hit puberty head on... but it’s weird, I feel more masculine in a way, I’m feeling way quicker to anger, more competitive/driven, etc... but also feeling more feminine emotions, like anxiety and sadness... it’s weird. And also, it’s starting to affect me downstairs too... I still have normal drive/desire, but I have virtually stopped getting spontaneous boners, and now even morning wood is happening maybe less than half the time I wake up now... I can still respond easily to my gf or if I’m flying solo, but I really can’t get hard using just my mind anymore, I need either visual or physical stimulation now. Also, my jizz is getting thinner, clearer, and more or less dribbles out instead of shooting like normal. I’m worried that I might do permanent damage pretty soon, if I haven’t already. But in any case, I have to get off the Propecia for awhile now, just gotta figure out if I am/should restarting it. Also, note sure if this would be helpful info or not... but I’m also starting to lose the hair on my legs, especially on the outside and back, equally on both sides. I had King Kong legs all throughout middle/high school rest of the legs seem ok, although maybe a little bit less dense than before. Ironically I am starting to get hair on my chest though. It started a little before the Propecia, so I’m guessing it’s just normal, end game puberty changes

so, I guess basically what I’m wondering... does anybody with experience have any thoughts and/or suggestions, anything that might help, or is it worth trying anything else. I’m still doing everything recommended, except the PRP sessions are over, and I’m gonna have to stop Propecia for the near future.

Attached are some pics... first one is what I looked like about 3 years ago. Next one is when I first received a comment about my hair getting thin in back. Next pic is about this time last year. Last 3 pics were taken today...

appreciate the feedback and taking the time to read this, sorry it was so long
 
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DoctorHouse

DoctorHouse

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Chris2000 said:
Hey everybody, my name is Chris, just got some questions, hope you guys can point me in the right direction. I just turned 22 last month, and I’m already dealing with some pretty significant hair loss. Everything seemed to be fine until a little over 2 years ago when I went for a haircut and the barber commented that I was getting a little thinner up top. Didn’t really think anything before then because no one had said anything. Tried some Rogaine 1x a day, and some shampoo that they recommended. Loss seemed to stabilize, although I didn’t get any regrowth. Last year it started falling out a lot. Made an appointment at a dermatologist, they checked hormone levels, advised me to do red light therapy, more Rogaine, and Propecia, microneedling with rosemary oil, and to think about PRP treatment. They also recommended multivitamin, Biotin, and Flax Seed Oil. I tried the medicines and supplements, and invested in a red light comb that I did 3x a week, 15 minutes a night. Waited on starting Propecia out of concern for side effects. Didn’t see any improvement , but I stabilized again for a few months, then I started losing again. I gave in and did the PRP therapy, just finished a 6 months program in January. It’s hard to say that it was worth the money, I really haven’t seen any improvement at all. On my bloodwork, my T levels were in the 400-600 range, and DHT was 250-450. I have not had much success finding out if those levels are high or what, doctor seemed to think that it was high enough for male pattern baldness though, but it seems lower than a lot of the levels I’ve seen posted on here. To complicate things, I’ve been thinking about quitting the Propecia, starting to get quite a few side effects. Basically I’m feeling like a teen that just hit puberty head on... but it’s weird, I feel more masculine in a way, I’m feeling way quicker to anger, more competitive/driven, etc... but also feeling more feminine emotions, like anxiety and sadness... it’s weird. And also, it’s starting to affect me downstairs too... I still have normal drive/desire, but I have virtually stopped getting spontaneous boners, and now even morning wood is happening maybe less than half the time I wake up now... I can still respond easily to my gf or if I’m flying solo, but I really can’t get hard using just my mind anymore, I need either visual or physical stimulation now. Also, my jizz is getting thinner, clearer, and more or less dribbles out instead of shooting like normal. I’m worried that I might do permanent damage pretty soon, if I haven’t already. But in any case, I have to get off the Propecia for awhile now, just gotta figure out if I am/should restarting it. Also, note sure if this would be helpful info or not... but I’m also starting to lose the hair on my legs, especially on the outside and back, equally on both sides. I had King Kong legs all throughout middle/high school rest of the legs seem ok, although maybe a little bit less dense than before. Ironically I am starting to get hair on my chest though. It started a little before the Propecia, so I’m guessing it’s just normal, end game puberty changes

so, I guess basically what I’m wondering... does anybody with experience have any thoughts and/or suggestions, anything that might help, or is it worth trying anything else. I’m still doing everything recommended, except the PRP sessions are over, and I’m gonna have to stop Propecia for the near future.

Attached are some pics... first one is what I looked like about 3 years ago. Next one is when I first received a comment about my hair getting thin in back. Next pic is about this time last year. Last 3 pics were taken today...

appreciate the feedback and taking the time to read this, sorry it was so long
Click to expand...
Male Pattern Baldness is genetic and unfortunately for you it's rather aggressive. That is a huge change in just 3 years. Even if you are on hair loss treatments, your genetics will win in the end so unfortunately if you are not responding well to finasteride, you could try dutasteride if you want to keep fighting.
 
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Chris2000

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That’s the really crazy thing... baldness just doesn’t run on either side of the family. My dad is diabetic and still has way better hair than me. He has far less body hair than me though so I guess maybe different sensitivities to DHT? I find it really weird that I’m losing on my legs too, i started getting hairy legs when I was like 11... is that a DHT thing too? What levels of DHT are considered too high?
 
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As2021

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Chris2000 said:
That’s the really crazy thing... baldness just doesn’t run on either side of the family. My dad is diabetic and still has way better hair than me. He has far less body hair than me though so I guess maybe different sensitivities to DHT? I find it really weird that I’m losing on my legs too, i started getting hairy legs when I was like 11... is that a DHT thing too? What levels of DHT are considered too high?
Click to expand...
Shave it! You will look better and feel good.
 
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vandun3

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damn, that's rough man especially in only 3 years at your age. you could try oral minoxidil, basically 1 drop of 5% kirkland or w/e 5% brand will be 2.5 mg of minoxidil. seems to be well tolerated by most and it's effective for topical non-responders like you

some also have success with dutasteride vs finasteride. many anecdotally claim fewer sides on dutasteride than on finasteride
microneedling with derminator 2 every 2 weeks, 1-1.2 mm depth 12 needle cartridge
oral castor oil, 2.5-5 mL/day
topical ru58841(dont recommend imo, but it's up to you)
look into zix, it reduces my shedding
 
DoctorHouse

DoctorHouse

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Chris2000 said:
Didn’t realize how much thinner my legs has gotten besides the obvious spots on the sides. First pic was when I was in 8th grade, end of the year. Other pics were today
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Same thing happened to me while on finasteride. You may have a thyroid issue so get your thyroid checked and the thyroid antibodies too. I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis and it can affect everything. Body hair is influenced by DHT.
 
DoctorHouse

DoctorHouse

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losingbattle88 said:
My sperm also mostly dribbles now too on dutasteride but i dont give a f*** lol. I do have some days when it shoots out but absolutely not like before.
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Too bad. I know you really wanted your p**rn star career to "shoot through the roof". Nothing wrong with being ordinary again.
 
DoctorHouse

DoctorHouse

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losingbattle88 said:
Its ok daddy I will just bend over for you instead. :)
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I don't know about that. Rumor has it @Butterbean Head said he wants first "crack" at it. I heard after that there is no going "back" with anyone else. I have to save my energy for this forum with all these new BDD cases "popping up".
 
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Butterbean Head

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DoctorHouse said:
I don't know about that. Rumor has it @Butterbean Head said he wants first "crack" at it. I heard after that there is no going "back" with anyone else. I have to save my energy for this forum with all these new BDD cases "popping up".
Click to expand...

I'll have to disappoint Mr House as I only chase and place my large one onside a Tarantula face.
 
losingbattle88

losingbattle88

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DoctorHouse said:
I don't know about that. Rumor has it @Butterbean Head said he wants first "crack" at it. I heard after that there is no going "back" with anyone else. I have to save my energy for this forum with all these new BDD cases "popping up".
Click to expand...
The funny thing is, is that im not even trolling with you lol.
DoctorHouse said:
I don't know about that. Rumor has it @Butterbean Head said he wants first "crack" at it. I heard after that there is no going "back" with anyone else. I have to save my energy for this forum with all these new BDD cases "popping up".
Click to expand...
 
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Moz5x

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How long were you actually on propecia?
Was your hairline already starting to recede 3yrs ago?

Definitely get your thyroid levels checked just to be sure.

There’s a belief among some doctors that a strong correlation exists between the amount of body hair vs aggressiveness of baldness for those who are genetically predisposed to it. Loss of leg/body hair and slower facial hair growth has been reported by many Finasteride users. There’s been some anecdotal evidence over the years that very hairy guys tend to respond better to Finasteride. Also, generally with this drug, the younger you are the better the potential response.

The decreased libido you experienced is not uncommon. Many guys choose to accept this as the trade off for keeping their hair. Some are able mitigate the sides by taking it every other day and/or reducing it. Given your aggressive loss I think you would be a better candidate for dutasteride. There are many reports of guys that couldn’t tolerate Finasteride but were able to handle dutasteride.
 
losingbattle88

losingbattle88

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Moz5x said:
How long were you actually on propecia?
Was your hairline already starting to recede 3yrs ago?

Definitely get your thyroid levels checked just to be sure.

There’s a belief among some doctors that a strong correlation exists between the amount of body hair vs aggressiveness of baldness for those who are genetically predisposed to it. Loss of leg/body hair and slower facial hair growth has been reported by many Finasteride users. There’s been some anecdotal evidence over the years that very hairy guys tend to respond better to Finasteride. Also, generally with this drug, the younger you are the better the potential response.

The decreased libido you experienced is not uncommon. Many guys choose to accept this as the trade off for keeping their hair. Some are able mitigate the sides by taking it every other day and/or reducing it. Given your aggressive loss I think you would be a better candidate for dutasteride. There are many reports of guys that couldn’t tolerate Finasteride but were able to handle dutasteride.
Click to expand...
Ye im one of those guys. Dutasteride rocks.
 
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