hi Andrea, my hair is yellowing/thinning mostly on the crown, but also diffusely towards the front. Yes, it is in the male pattern baldness area only. My hair and skin has always been slightly oily, but balanced, and this hasn't changed since avodart. A couple of notable difference I have noticed are that I don't get cystic acne around my temples around the sideburns/temple-points anymore and I have about 40% less bodyhair than before. Hormone tests 2 months ago and 3 months into treatment showed a "significant" reduction in DHT, no significant change in free-test or prolactin, but a SIGNIFICANT decrease in estradiol(doctor's words). My doctor doesn't know that I'm on 2mg of Avo, but I have to tell him next week because we're both concerned about my health.
I've read that DHT can inhibit aromatase enzyme, and this should mean that Avodart, by lowering DHT, should increase estrogen and lower SHBG. This is the opposite of my results!
I think you're very right. It might not just be a question of genetic isoenzymatic differences, but rather one of net hormonal balance. Maybe if we get enough people to get full panel hormone tests before and after treatment and report on sites like this one, we can get a clearer picture of what's going on. If anyone is under public healthcare (Canada Health Act or NHS in UK), you just have to ask for a full panel and they have to give you one.
Maybe some of us are just taking way too much!