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  1. #1
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    Default HRT after quiting Finasteride

    I have decided to stop taking Finasteride, after using it for the past 8 years for hair loss. I have came to the realization that these various symptoms I have been having over the past few years are side effects of the Fin. I have noticed memory loss, brain fog, dry skin, very low energy levels, erections that are not as firm, and drastic loss of libido. I blamed some of these symptoms on getting older since I am now 35 years old. My fiance' has complained about the loss of libido, but I just blamed it on me being tired all the time. After research and realizing it could be the Fin, I scheduled a physical to have blood work done. Everything was pretty normal, but I had very low Vitamin D, a common trait I've discovered with Fin users, and my Total Testosterone was 380 ng/dl. I thought my Test levels were very low for a 35 year old avid weightlifter, but she said it was normal and thought my low energy might be because of Sleep Apnea. I stay tired, but I sleep 8 hours a day and have a sleep test scheduled this week to find out for sure if I have any sleeping issues. She advised I stay on the Fin because she knows I am very self-conscious about my hair, and she says the side effects are very minimal. She suggested I go on DHEA to help with my low libido.

    I do not agree with my Test levels of 380 being normal for me, so I am looking to do some self HRT to get me back to normal with maybe a little kick start. I don't ever remember having blood work and Test levels taken, so I do not know what my ranges have been in the past. I have not been able to use many ancillary supplements because of my high risk for hair loss, so I have only been on an 8 week Anavar cycle about 2 years ago, and a 6 week Test E cycle about 7 years ago. There is a local HRT center that advertises Bio-identical hormones in the form of pellets that last a few months. I am very unfamiliar with these pellets, but have done some research in the past on anabolics, only to steer away because of the hair loss risk. How are the pellets comparable to some low dose Test E or C, or maybe Anavar?

  2. #2
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    Default

    Hello,
    I am no expert, but, I can share my experience.
    I am 50 and have training since my early teens and have competed many times, lastly in the mid 90's. Never took any PED's at all.
    I had my bloods checked 4 months ago for the first time, my Test level was 400, by the way, I felt like shit and dreaded going to the gym, very tired very weak very shitty.
    My most recent blood test had my Test level over 900 and I feel 15 years younger having regained a lot of my strength and regaining about 7 or 8 lbs of lean body weight. This after 3 months of HRT, hair loss is not an issue for me and I don't know much about it. What I can say is find a different doctor, one who knows about this topic. My original doc said I was fine too, she didn't understand what it feels like to pick up 50 lb dumbells and have them feel like 150.
    Hope this helps.

  3. #3
    Hormone Replacement Therapy M.D. Dr. Joel Nathan's Avatar
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    Regarding Testosterone levels in a 35 year old. I would look at both free and total testosterone. Your free testosterone (the one that actually stimulates the androgen receptor) may be a higher percentage of normal than the total testosterone. This is especially the case if you estrogen levels are low.
    As a novel way to elevate free testosterone, I would ask my prescribing health practitioner to consider if Arimidex would be helpful. Since higher estrogen levels raise the amount of steroid binding globulin (thus making free testosterone lower), if you have lower estrogen levels then you'll have less steroid binding globulins. It's important to note that estrogen is cardio protective so men need some but still a low amount of estrogen in their systems.

    I do not have experience with the hormone pellets.

    Also be aware that topical testosterone leads to higher amounts of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) that can lead to baldness and prostate enlargement. Yes, finasteride can cause a decreased libido, but when taking testosterone replacement, the libido is usually enhanced. One does not have to take finasteride daily (or for that matter Arimidex daily). Let your health care provider decide on the minimal amount per week to take of the finasteride or arimidex.

    In the Age Management field we optimize testosterone levels to the 80th to 90th percentile of what is normal for your age. To go higher would increase DHT and Estrogen levels, elevate hematocrit, elevate choldesterol ad decrease HDL levels.

    So consider talking with an Age Management specialist. Where testosterone is optimized and normal is usually too low.

    You can always IM me if you have personal questions that you'd not like to list in public.
    All personal messages to me are confidential.

    Joel Nathan, MD
    New York, NY

  4. #4
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    eggwhite, thanks for the insight, it is good to hear how much better you feel with your test levels being what they should. I am hoping to have similar results and looking forward to getting this corrected.

  5. #5
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    Dr. Nathan, thank you for taking the time to share your expertise, I really do appreciate it. My lab work did not have my free testosterone or estrogen levels tested, so I will look to get it checked soon. After your advice I am going to see someone that specializes in this, because it is obvious my family physician isn't going to do anything to help my test levels. The Finasteride did a great job helping me keep my hair, but I wish i would have never taken the stuff. It has some serious effects that I am hoping I can eventually reverse.

  6. #6
    Hormone Replacement Therapy M.D. Dr. Joel Nathan's Avatar
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    I would rather see someone lower their testosterone dose than to give daily finasteride, if possible.

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