Finasteride, Yes or no?

[KatieP]

Hi All,
I had been on HRT through my normal PCP/GP, which included Spiro and Finasteride. At some point, the PCP and I agreed I should see an actual endo. In the first endo appointment, she said that Finasteride tends to increase T, and might not be what I wanted. (@KayXo said, "Finasteride doesn't reduce T, it reduces DHT levels only and can actually slightly increase T levels as a result")

So, I stopped Finasteride.

Now reading through the posts, it seems many DO include Finasteride.

So my question to y'all is: To Finasteride or not Finasteride? Are the benefits worth the increased T?

Thanks!
Kate

[Dena]

Welcome to Susan's Place. There are a couple of bits of information that would make this easer to answer. Do you have hair loss. If so, how recent and how much. The other question is what are your T levels. If your T is low enough and hair isn't an issue, there isn't a need to add additional drugs into the mix. I'm not that knowledgable about this but the information should help others answer the question.

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[KatieP]

Thanks for the reply, Dena!

As for me personally: Hair loss: Loads. It was part of the motivation for starting Finasteride. As for T levels, it's a longer story, but the PCP has never checked them, so I don't know. And the endo will next time around. But your questions are interesting, since the PCP (and the endo as it turned out) use the "clinical" method as it were: Start with a standard prescription, and see what your body does. Then adjust as needed. Which, I should say, I have been happy with for a long time.

Thanks again for the reply!

Kate

[stephaniec]

I cant use spiro because of the potassium so I use fin

[KatieP]

I have been on spiro for more than 20 years. Interestingly, the K levels have never been high, although in recent years the Na levels have been marked as low. I don't know if the spiro has affected the Na levels, or if it is just an age thing.

[Dena]

Spiro will definitely lower your sodium levels and you need to increases your intake to compensate for it. Often people develop cravings for salt to the point that they find drinking pickle juice a tempting way to up their sodium intake. If you have problems with leg craps or salt just taste really good, you may not be getting enough of it.

[KatieP]

HA!! That is sooooo funny. I love pickles, and always have. But for the past few years, I have had 4 tbsp. of pickle juice before bed. I tastes soooooo good.

So, now I have a reasonable explanation...



Kate

[Dani]

If you are still producing a large amount of Testosterone, as in pre op MTF, then the ideal regimen is to take Spironolactone to block the effects of Testosterone and take Finasteride to stop the conversion of any remaining Testosterone into Dihydrotestostereone. DHT is many times more powerful than T for certain areas, such as hair loss.

Once you are post op or had an orchiectomy, you can stop the T blocker and with very little T being produced, the Finasteride  is of little use.