Accutane information..... If you are thinking of using it..... PLEASE READ

[Swifto]

Also, accutane is a retinoid, and there have been studies that show retinoids reduce testosterone levels in males. Using accutane during PCT can adversely affect your ability to restore your natural test levels.

I can tell you first hand that I felt totally down in the dumps when I was using it.

Here is a study on rats, I can't find the human one right now.

Retinoic acid and accutane are the same thing..

http://grande.nal.usda.gov/ibids/ind...&therow=662476

Really?

Because I posted 2 studies yesterday showing it had no effect on endogenous T.

I'd like to see the study you refer too...

[spooledup]

I'd like to see the study you refer too...

I found one but there is still another somewhere.

http://grande.nal.usda.gov/ibids/ind...s&therow=40257

Isotretinoin, used to treat severe acne, has been shown to induce hormonal changes, especially to reduce 5α-reductase in the production of the tissue-derived dihydrotestosterone (DHT) metabolite 3α-Adiol G. However, the effects of isotretinoin on other pituitary, adrenal or gonadal hormones have not been thoroughly elucidated. In the present study, isotretinoin administered at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks caused no marked changes in the serum levels of pituitary, adrenal or gonadal hormones or 3a-Adiol G in patients with severe papulopustulotic acne (n=19). After 12 weeks of therapy, there was a decrease in the levels of the precursor androgens androstenedione, testosterone and 3α-Adiol G in 6/9 patients. Acne improved after 4.5 months in all but 2 male patients, who had very low serum hormone binding globulins (SHBG) and a high free androgen index (FAI). Isotretinoin did not affect the elevated LH/FSH ratio in a patient with the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS); nor did it change the high FAI or low SHBG in the male patients. For comparison, tetracycline had no effects on the serum hormonal levels of patients with mild acne (n=19) after 7 days of treatment. This study confirms that the effects of isotretinoin on the serum hormone levels are small and unlikely to be of relevance for the resolution of acne or the suppression of sebum excretion.

[Roidbeginner]

Great post!

I take 10mg/day acutane for six months and my blood work came back w/o any changes in liver enzymes and cholesterol.

The key is to take accutane at low dose and for long duration. currently, the same regimen suppressed any appearance of acne during my cycle.

Another side of accutane is the proinflammatory response and slower healing effect. In other words, avoid squeezing any acne as your body tend to bruise more easily. You can take certirizine (zytrec) and/or hydrocortisone/gentamicin cream for such cases.

[Swifto]

I found one but there is still another somewhere.

http://grande.nal.usda.gov/ibids/ind...s&therow=40257

Isotretinoin, used to treat severe acne, has been shown to induce hormonal changes, especially to reduce 5α-reductase in the production of the tissue-derived dihydrotestosterone (DHT) metabolite 3α-Adiol G. However, the effects of isotretinoin on other pituitary, adrenal or gonadal hormones have not been thoroughly elucidated. In the present study, isotretinoin administered at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks caused no marked changes in the serum levels of pituitary, adrenal or gonadal hormones or 3a-Adiol G in patients with severe papulopustulotic acne (n=19). After 12 weeks of therapy, there was a decrease in the levels of the precursor androgens androstenedione, testosterone and 3α-Adiol G in 6/9 patients. Acne improved after 4.5 months in all but 2 male patients, who had very low serum hormone binding globulins (SHBG) and a high free androgen index (FAI). Isotretinoin did not affect the elevated LH/FSH ratio in a patient with the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS); nor did it change the high FAI or low SHBG in the male patients. For comparison, tetracycline had no effects on the serum hormonal levels of patients with mild acne (n=19) after 7 days of treatment. This study confirms that the effects of isotretinoin on the serum hormone levels are small and unlikely to be of relevance for the resolution of acne or the suppression of sebum excretion.

Yes, but how much.

I quoted this study, highlighting the ending, "This study confirms that the effects of isotretinoin on the serum hormone levels are small and unlikely to be of relevance for the resolution of acne or the suppression of sebum excretion".

I'd like to see the full paper, as I dont think the "decrease" is significant at all.