April 3 2006, 12:38 pm PT | Posted in: Drugs
Hello Dr. Rassman
I apologize if you have already answered this question, but I have heard that propecia can actually stimulate hair loss via negative feedback pathway. I’m a biochemist, and this somewhat makes sense. According to the details, as propecia lowers the DHT levels, it causes more transcription of 5-AR genes, resulting in more DHT production. The body senses the reduced DHT levels, and attempts to compensate by creating more of the enzyme. Have you heard of such details? Any help is appreciated. Thanks so much.
Your question may best be answered by a neuroendocrinologist, but being a biochemist yourself, you should realize that as much as we know about the biochemical process, we also do not know all its intricacies. We are taught to simplify it by drawing feedback loops, but the pathways are often influenced by multiple factors.
I am not certain that 5 alpha reductase enzyme blockade (by finasteride or Propecia) will necessarily increase more of its production by a feedback loop. It is a reasonable hypothesis, but I do not think this has been proven. Perhaps it can be your research project.
i believe this is what might be happening to me. i was on finasteride and 5% minoxidil for nine months and shedding started about a month after starting treatment and didnt stop. i was told i should’ve had a dht test first so i stopped the treatment for about six weeks to clear the finasteride and my levels were at 9 when the standard is about 1-4. went back on finasteride and minoxidil again and had another test three months later and my dht levels rose to 20. i had no shedding prior to starting the treatment.