Quasar

Thanks a tonne Rawkerboi! What does my friend Ko think, anyone else here got any helpful inputs.

Hi folks, I am Quasar, 29 and I hail from Mumbai, India. I started shedding hair since 22. I have lost hair in the crown, though my frontal hair-line is thick. I have posted some photos here, I've applied oil on my hair. Beginning October last year I have begun using Finasteride 1mg/day and Minoxidil 5%. I visited a dermatologist last month. He has put me on Minoxidil 10% + dutasteride 0.5 mg and Biotin for the last one month. Diet and exercise: I have oatmeals for breakfast, eat a lot of greens and exercise for about an hour in the gym. I love going for treks and travelling! I had a few questions- 1. What Norwood scale am I, and what am I heading to? 2. Is it possible to grow the existing hairs(they are very dry and short) on the crown long enough to style them in a way so as to cover the head? Will Dut and Minoxidil help this? 3. Any vitamin supplements I could take as a part of my daily intake, and to promote hair growth? 3. Will Dutasteride arrest/slow down my hair shedding? If so, how long before I can see any results and gauge? 4. Is HT an option for me? How is my donor hair?

Hi Ko and everyone on the group, As posted earlier, I have had hair shedding for the last 7 years. After 8 months of 5% minoxidil and 1 mg/day Finasteride, I visited a dermatologist. He has put me on Dutasteride 0.5 mg, Biotin + Calcium Panthotenate tablets and Minoxidil + Amidaxyl solution (10%). I wonder if I can expect some decent growth/maintenance of the existing hair over a few months. Excited! How long does Dutasteride take to kick in? How do I know, if its working? Though my hair shedding reduced considerably with Finasteride, I still shed a few hairs everyday and slow thinning did happen. I had limited success with Finasteride. Shall I expect some positive results, having tried Finasteride? Today is the 4th day of Dutas. I had a major hair shed today and got nervous. Is this normal after discontinuing finasteride? By the way, I am a Norwood 4-5, though my frontal hair-line is intact. Thanks, Quasar C.

Right, I visited a dermatologist. He has put me on Dutasteride 0.5 mg, Biotin + Calcium Panthotenate tablets and Minoxidil + Amidaxyl solution (10%). I wonder if I can expect some decent growth of the existing hair over a few months. Excited! Thanks, Quasar C.

Hi guys, I am 29 and hail from Mumbai, India. I work as an IT professional and lead a good active lifestyle. I have had hair thinning and shedding since the past 7 years. I have lost hair on the top of my scalp, but my frontal hairline is intact, though it is thinning. My hair loss is diffused. I have been using minoxidil 5% solution along with Finasteride 0.5 mg per day, to arrest my hair fall and stop the thinning of my hair for the last 8 months. I also plan to get tested for Vitamin D3, B12 and Ferritin. Now, I really wish to bring a complete stop to my hair thinning! One of my friends(female) has a similar thinning problem. She was prescribed the serum - Densuex, in which the active ingredient is Biochanin-A. I would like to know, if I can use Biochannin-A along with Minoxidil. Moreover, how long should I wait before I can oil my hair? I will post photos in sometime now. Thanks, Quasar C.

Hi friends, I have been using minoxidil 5% solution along with Finasteride 0.5 mg per day, to arrest my hair fall and stop the thinning of my hair for the last 8 months. I have had limited success. My hair loss is diffused. One of my friends(female) has a similar thinning problem. She was prescribed the serum - Densuex, in which the active ingredient is Biochanin-A I believe. I wanted to know if anyone has had success with this treatment, your reviews and inputs if any.

Note that I've applied Rogaine. So, the hair might seem denser than usual. Will post some more photos after washing my hair in normal light.

Hi all - I suffer from diffused hairfall - back and crown. Its been four months since I began using Minoxidil + Fin 1 mg/day. I have noticed considerable progress in terms of - (I) less shedding of hair (sometimes hardly any hair, when I oil/massage my hair) (ii) partial re-growth in some areas. I think I should be able to maintain my existing hair. However, my worry is, at the back(where most people have DHT resistant hair) my hair has fallen in patches/spots. I wonder if this onset will continue. Will applying minoxidil to these spots help slow down the hair-fall/thicken existing hair? Should I or should I not apply minoxidil there? I will post some photos in a while! Thanks, Quasar C.

Hi Future_HT_Doc, I did a photo-consultation with a hair physician over the e-mail who asked me to get test for Thyroid, since thyroid dysfunction contributes to diffused hair-fall. I took it upon me to get tested for Thyroid and antibody tests along with Ferritin. However, I do plan to visit an endocrinologist. So, if I did suffer from Hypo-T, even after taking medication(like Synthoid etc.), the hair fall still may not stabilize in your opinion - is that what you meant?

Hi, Thanks for your extremely detailed response. Here are my lab results upto this point - T3 : 0.941 ng/dl Normal values : 0.8 to 2.0 T4 : 6.13 ug/dl Normal values : 5.1 to 14.1 Ultra TSH : 10.24 ulU/ml Normal values : 0.27 to 4.2 FT3 : 3.00 pg/ml. Range : 2.02-4.43 FT4 : 1.19 ng/DL. Euthyroid Range : 0.93-1.7 Let me know what do you think of FT3 and FT4. I took the TPO Ab, TG Ab and Ferritin tests as well today and the results would be out only by Wednesday. I have a few quick questions - 1. I just got the Ferritin test done. Should I also get % Saturation, TIBC and serum iron done? How important is D3, B12 and Foliate? 2. Can I get onto a minimum dose of a few iron supplements, NDT Thyroid like Armour before my test results are out and I can consult an endocrinologist next week? I am losing my frontal thick hair as well now! 3. Getting treated for Hypo-T, what are the chances of growing back the hair which I am currently shedding/already shed in the last couple of months? What has been your experience? 4. Should I continue with Minoxidil/Finasteride treatment? I have diffused hair loss and you could probably call me a NW5. Thinning all over the top and crown, with few thick hair left on the frontal hairline.

Hi all, Its been a month and two days on Minoxidil 5% Solution + Finasteride. I am also taking a protein shake and biotin 100 mg tablets. My hair loss is diffused and upto this point my hair-line was intact. After having begun with meds, I am noticing that the thick hair in my frontal hair-line have also begun falling and the whole area is see-through'ish and sparse. I also had a high TSH level(10.24), and I am still awaiting test results for Thyroid antibodies and Ferritin. T3 : 0.941 ng/dl Normal values : 0.8 to 2.0 T4 : 6.13 ug/dl Normal values : 5.1 to 14.1 Ultra TSH : 10.24 ulU/ml Normal values : 0.27 to 4.2 FT3 : 3.00 pg/ml. Range : 2.02-4.43 FT4 : 1.19 ng/DL. Euthyroid Range : 0.93-1.7 Should I just keep going on Minoxidil and Finasteride up until about the 6 month-mark? Do you guys think the treatment is doing any good? Thanks, Quasar C.

I am taking Fin 1mg/day from Cipla.

Hi Ko, Future-HT-Doc and all others, Here's what my Thyroid test reading looks like : T3 : 0.941 ng/dl Normal values : 0.8 to 2.0 T4 : 6.13 ug/dl Normal values : 5.1 to 14.1 Ultra TSH : 10.24 ulU/ml Normal values : 0.27 to 4.2 Are these indicative of mild/clinical hypo-thyroidism? Do you think I should get some additional tests done to zero-in on Hypothyroidism? Is Hypo-thyroidism be one of the contributing factors to diffused thinning and hair-loss all over. Are TSH levels sensitive to other things?

Hi Ko, Future-HT-Doc and all others, Here's what my Thyroid test reading looks like : T3 : 0.941 ng/dl Normal values : 0.8 to 2.0 T4 : 6.13 ug/dl Normal values : 5.1 to 14.1 Ultra TSH : 10.24 ulU/ml Normal values : 0.27 to 4.2 Are these indicative of mild/clinical hypo-thyroidism? Should I get some additional tests done too? Are TSH levels sensitive to other things?

Hi all, I see that this topic has been discussed and debated over in many hair-loss forums, health forums etc. I would like to start a thread on this - what is the modern view on male sex energy and pornography being linked to hair-loss? I know, pornographic addiction is bad, it induces less libido, shows women in a derrogatory, violent manner. But, does self-stimulation without pornographic obsession also cause elevated levels of DHT and lead to hair-fall? Would Finasteride work to keep your DHT levels in check, in such cases? For example, though I am on Finasteride , I did feel extremely horny today. Does it mean, lots of DHT bad for my hair? I am sure there are people out there on Finasteride leading an active sexual life or have sexual urges. Does having a sexual urge while on Finasteride, imply the drug is less potent/effective for you?

@Ko, interesting to learn that. Ask a guy like me - I'll be just more than happy to keep/maintain my existing hair with meds! I think Finasteride and Minoxidil should do a decent job at that. Hair Transplant - I am totally cool with what I look and a hair transplant at present is not even on my mind!

Hi Akash - I strongly recommend you religiously continue with Finasteride and also use Minoxidil 5% solution twice a day to thicken your existing hair. Because, your weak hair will shed out and it takes around 4 months for the dormant hair to go into anagen(growth) phase - that's the hair cycle, you must give atleast 5-12 months to see any noticeable results from the treatment. That'll do you tremendous good in the long run. Starting the right treatment early makes all the difference. Finasteride and Minoxidil are FDA approved drugs, clinically well-tested and proven world-wide to arrest, control/slow-down and in some cases stop hair-fall and cause your existing hair to thicken over 3-4 cycles. You should easily be able to maintain/keep your existing hair. Besides, you are too young still to undergo an HT. I wish and hope you are sticking to your meds. At no point, give them up! Thanks, Quasar C.

Future_HT_Doc - Going to this place tomorrow to get a basic hair/scalp analysis done, check it out - Skin City India | Hair Analysis in Pune | CAS Lite Hair Analysis. Also, will get my TSH levels checked tomorrow. Also, got a photo consultation done over e-mail with Dr. Sandeep Sattur, a hair-restoration surgeon practising at Mumbai, India. Here's what he had to say - I plan to pay him a visit in Mumbai. I am meticulous, detail-oriented and try to educate myself as much as I can. So, lets see what the doc has to say.

All the best Saiyed! @Future_HT_Doc - Thanks a tonne! I have e-mailed them with my pics. One question, how do these guys actually determine it? I mean, do they use a capilloscope/densitometer? Anyone having consulted a good hair-loss physician in Mumbai, India?

Yes, can someone recommend me a good hair-loss physician in Bombay, India. I really can't tell the reputed ones from those only running a shop!

Do you think I am doomed for life? I saw some pics of DUPA, and it feels I am headed for the same. Some part of my sides in that pic are less dense or see-through-ish!

:eek: Posting pics of sides. Is there a pattern or do you think its DUPA? Is it possible to firmly determine this Ko? Yes, I will continue on meds and evaluate after 6 months. I must say that although somewhat sparse, the hair on my sides appears thick and strong atleast now!

Donor area "as-of" date - dense in the middle, sparse at the end Should I also get myself tested for thyroid? I have never given it a thought. But, since hair fall has happened for me, in a gradual fashion all over, this even includes my sides, area which is supposed to be DHT resistant. Again this has remained the same over a period of time. I just suspect. Not that I am a medical expert. I would really like to know the real cause of my hair loss - whilst I have started taking general treatment for it.

@Ko - yes, sooner or later I want to try Toppik. Having said that, some hair on my hairline have fallen over time(maybe an year). So, it's not as dense as it used to be. I've had hair fall all over the top in fact. I even shed some hair in my donor area - as you would have seen, it is dense in the middle, but sparse towards the end(where most people have very high density). My donor has stayed pretty much the same ever since. I don't know, what pattern it is! Also, my dad and mum still have a good head of hair (atleast longer than mine). It surely doesn't run in my family. Also, post-meds, the hair I am shedding right now is mostly thin. I don't see much of thick hair falling. I don't know, if that's a positive thing or good sign. I will just wait and watch! I would like to post a pic at the age of 21, just to give you an idea my hair density.

@Ko, amazing to see Dut (DHT Blocker) at work. I'm entirely convinced about the efficacy. @Peterith, posting one month(28 days) pics (Fin 1mg/day + Minoxidil twice a day 5%). Both with hair straight and combed. If you see in the frontal half, I've shed some hair, which was there earlier before starting Fin+Min. A funny thing happened though - a very thick facial hair emerged on my face today! While applying Minoxidil, a lot of the liquid sometimes drips over the face. I have never seen a hair as thick as that! @Future_HT_Doc - I've read that Minoxidil also synchronizes the cycle of hair growth of the hair that has thinned out(by making them go early into the dormant phase and therefore shed them) with those hairs which are healthy and thick. Is that correct? Thanks all for the good words and advise.