Best finasteride dosage for maintenance?

[notbalding83]

Hi, I was wondering what the best dosage for maintenance on finasteride is. I'm currently interested in keeping what I have (I have a genetic tendency to start thinning in a few years). Has anybody tried something like this? Thanks

 

[Petchsky]

Yes, i went from 1.25mg a day to 0.5 mg every other day, no noticeable loss and that was three years ago.

 

[notbalding83]

Awesome! Was your goal to maintain or regrow?

 

[Petchsky]

After being on 1.25mg for years, after reducing dosage the goal was just maintenance.

 

[Thor9]

 

[notbalding83]

So why do people start with 1mg if the lower dosages work almost as well?

 

[Thor9]

Because lowering the dosage does not reduce the probability of getting side effects?

I don't take finasteride but I have considered it and if I ever were to start, I would take 0.25 mg every other day.

 

[notbalding83]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif]How important are genetics really in hair loss? My dad and I have the exact same hairline" being a distinct widows peak and his hairline never receded, but he does have severe thinning. His hairline looks exactly like Leonardo dicaprio, but he has thinning in the crown and mid scalp. Because I have the same hairline..as opposed to my brothers and mom, I'm pretty sure I'm headed down this route. Has anybody seen thinning without any recession like this? [/FONT]

 

[Quantum Cat]

Because lowering the dosage does not reduce the probability of getting side effects?
.

exactly. Why do people think that lowering the dose might lessen the chances of sides when you're suppressing basically the same amount of DHT? Doesn't make sense

Only advantage of taking 0.5mg is it will save you money

 

[Ventures]

In my opinion based on studying of endocrinology, getting sides depends on various factors, not just on suppressed level of DHT. Major sides are not result of low level of DHT, but increased level of estrogen, estradiol, prolactin, and loss of hormonal balance. I am aware, that DHT inhibitors block conversion of T to DHT and in that way boost E and E2, because free T can be converted either to DHT (by I and II-5ard) or E (by aromatic enzyme).

Maybe high doses of finasteride cause some kind of shock and rebound effect- body notice lack of DHT by its receptors and start to produce more free T and even more 5ard enzymes (endless loop - this makes no logic to me, but its possible). And if you go with small doses then body gradually adjust to new condition - some hair loss veterans here suggest the same - to start with small doses and then gradually increase. Same with quiting finasteride, not cold turkey but taper off.


Except shock and rebound effect, pharmacokinetics and dynamics of drug play huge role. 1 mg dose or more neutralizes certain percent of 5ard,but I suppose it doesn't achieve its full potential because ofhalf-life time, after which finasteride become degraded. That's common effect in all medical drugs. It takes a while for active drug ingredients and molecules to spread within whole body (intra and extra cellular tissue). So, 0.25 mg works the same way but in a slower rate.


But important part is that finasteride "attacks“ other substrates and enzymes (not just II 5-alpha-reductase). And for finasteride to be effective it is important to inhibit specific enzyme 5ard-II but it would be perfect for drug to inhibit only 5ard, not other molecules and substances. Maybe finasteride molecules bind / adhere to other enzymes, substrates or so, is there any study to confirm that ?

 

[Quantum Cat]

because free T can be converted either to DHT (by I and II-5ard) or E (by aromatic enzyme).

what decides which one the T is converted to?

 

[TMNK]

I guess I'm in the lead then. Just increased my dosage to 2.5mg.

 

[Ventures]

what decides which one the T is converted to?

Aromatic enzyme and 5ard compete for free T. So it depends on amount of aromatic and 5ard enzyme in close proximity of individual free T. When it comes to male pattern baldness, and comparison of DHT levels of different persons, It is important to measure both estrogen and DHT level.

In my opinion, individuals who have high DHT level and don't suffer from hair loss, maybe also have high estrogen levels, and estrogen "protects" their scalp hair.

 

[lifus]

1mg - 1.25mg is best for me.