5 AR Inhibitors and Post Finasteride Syndrome

[junk2222yard]

Do you know if *all* 5 alpha reductase inhibitors put you at risk of Post Finasteride Syndrome (PST)?

I ask because I want to lower my DHT, but do not want to risk the (albeit small) chance of becoming a PST horror story.

I am hoping some DHT-lowering supplements -- like Pygeum -- may work without risking PST? Any thoughts?

[steroid.com 1]

Any of the 5-ARi steroidal compounds have the potential for PST...stay away from it Junk...please!

Try the supps and see it that can help. Do some research on it and tell us what you find.

[kelkel]

Curious if you've had your DHT level tested? If so, what was it?

[junk2222yard]

Curious if you've had your DHT level tested? If so, what was it?

My last tests are below... I have since marginally lowered my Test dose:

Total T	32.8	[5.8 - 30.4 NMOL/L]
Free T	176.4	[15.6-146 PMOL/L]
E2**	139	[40-161 PMOL/L]
DHT	>8600	[860-3406 PMOL/L]
SHBG	23	[10 - 55 NMOL/L]

**E2 is standard assay, not the extra sensitive which is not available in Canada.
DHT was so high it could not be measured beyond 8600!

[kelkel]

Wow that's high. Any clue why?

[junk2222yard]

I don't know, kel! I was hoping vets like you, gd, vettetester or HRTstudent might have ideas when they saw my numbers together? I could post all of my labs if people thought it would help, but the ones above are what I figure are relevant?

Maybe I am just prone to convert it ridiculously? Or another theory I had was maybe I had some sort of DHT rebound when I stopped taking Saw Palmetto, which I did when I read about PST being caused by Saw as well, not just finasteride! Yikes!

[steroid.com 1]

Two things:

1. Lab error (do you have any past BW that confirms a consistent elevated levels)
2. Higher levels of 5-AR hence higher levels of DHT.

I don't believe you are presenting with any symptoms, correct?

If so, it's not much to be worried about but lowering your Testosterone dose is a good idea.

I would still discuss with your Doc so you're both fully informed.

Stay away from the 5-ARi's.

[junk2222yard]

I have only tested DHT once, and it was super high. I am testing it again in a month.

I don't have high DHT symptoms per se (not super horny, not aggressive, hair isn't falling out in clumps) but hair loss is very hard to gauge. I do have night sweats (less now than previous), but I think those are related to fluctuating E2 and possibly low ferritin (which is weakly supported anecdotally with low iron).

You mentioned "Any of the 5-ARi steroidal compounds have the potential for PST", but I am not sure which are "steroidal compounds" and which aren't? Are the medicines SC, whereas naturally occurring things -- like Saw Palmetto and Pygeum -- are not?

[steroid.com 1]

There a two different brand names but just make sure the active compound is not Finasteride.

You would be much safer with supplements.

There are some terrific 5-ar forums out there do some research and see how these guys cope.

I have a suspicion that it may be lab error.

[junk2222yard]

The thing is, my research has already uncovered instances of PFS caused by Saw Palmetto! So even supplements aren't safe, it seems. (Although perhaps some are safer than others.)

Is there no way of lowering DHT through another action besides 5ARI or lowering Test dose?

I hope it is lab error!

[junk2222yard]

There are some terrific 5-ar forums out there do some research and see how these guys cope.

What kind of forum is a "5-ar forum"? You mean a hair loss forum? Yes, I am reading on those a lot these days. Or maybe you mean some other forum type?

Also, when I get my DHT tested in a month, can you think of any "extra" labs to do that might help me in sleuthing this DHT bugaboo I have? I will add "progesterone" to the list, but am not sure if there is something else which may elucidate things, beyond the normal tests (Test, E2, prolactin, etc.)

2. Higher levels of 5-AR hence higher levels of DHT.

You may be on to something with this. At the time of my labs I was almost 30% body fat which is borderline obese. I have read "Elevated 5AR activity is associated with obesity and insulin resistance in both men and women," so maybe I do have too much 5AR to begin with. I have long suspected I suffer from insulin resistance. I am down to 27% body fat and have been following a 16-hour fasted diet (ala leangains.com) to promote improving insulin resistance.

[steroid.com 1]

The thing is, my research has already uncovered instances of PFS caused by Saw Palmetto! So even supplements aren't safe, it seems. (Although perhaps some are safer than others.)

Is there no way of lowering DHT through another action besides 5ARI or lowering Test dose?

I hope it is lab error!

Please post where you found this information, please.

Looking for something credible and with some research supporting.

I've never heard of this but would love to know more.

Thanks.

[junk2222yard]

Please post where you found this information, please.

Looking for something credible and with some research supporting.

I don't have anything credible so far, only anecdotal reports from sufferers of PFS. The website propeciahelp is dedicated to PFS, and contains many posts from people who took Saw Palmetto and got the same horrible effects as taking finasteride.

One example is http://propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5003 but there are many more there. As I say, these posts are anecdotal, but where there is smoke there is (sometimes) fire.