Hair Loss at 18

[Rasheed]

Hair loss at 18

What can be the cause?

Can high testosterone cause hair loss?

[undeather]

The vast majority of hair loss cases in young men is due to androgenic male pattern baldness. Its a genetic thing that makes your hair follicles susceptible to the hormone DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), permanently shrinking and finally destroying the hair root in the process. DHT is a more potent form of testosterone, plays a part in many bodily systems from libido to psychoneurology/immune function and is formed from testosterone trough an enzyme called 5α-Reductase. 

There are 3 well known products that can help you fight/delay the hair loss.
1. Minoxidil (Rogaine (C) - twice every day, applied locally at the affected area) + (Microneedling (1,5mm) for better results)
2. Ketoconazole-shampoo (2 times a week)
3. 5α-Reductase-inhibitors (Finasteride) - which is pretty extreme since you basically interfere with hormon-synthesis 

There are more out there products like topical anti-androgens or local dutasteride but I am not convinced by the effect or safety.

95% of hair loss in young men is caused by genetic predisposition- the rest could be due to stress, lack of micro-nutrients (B-vitamins, trace minerals..), thyroid-issues, infectious-diseases, side effects from drugs.....

[Michael569]

2 hours ago, undeather said:

5α-Reductase-inhibitors (Finasteride) - which is pretty extreme since you basically interfere with hormon-synthesis 

Would you say something like Saw Palmetto which appears to have (to a degree) similar function would be comparable in efficacy? I recall doing my thesis on BPH therapeutics and when I was comparing FInasteride and Dutasteride to SP, the differences weren't that huge in those meta analyses. At least in terms of BPH symptoms. Less side effects seemed to be a benefit as well. 

[undeather]

2 hours ago, Michael569 said:

Would you say something like Saw Palmetto which appears to have (to a degree) similar function would be comparable in efficacy? I recall doing my thesis on BPH therapeutics and when I was comparing FInasteride and Dutasteride to SP, the differences weren't that huge in those meta analyses. At least in terms of BPH symptoms. Less side effects seemed to be a benefit as well. 

When my hair started falling out couple of years ago I panicked and researched every avilable hair loss product, including saw palmetto. Back then, I couldnt find a lot of decent data, but the mechanism of action (5-alpha-reductase inhibition through fatty acids/sterols) made sense, so I tried it for 12 months. In my case it didnt do anything, even at very high doses (up to 1g daily). The more decent trials showed about 1/2 the effect size of finasteride while only affecting the crown area and not the front. (where I was thinning at)

The reasons why I hesitate recommending SP:
1) As you know, there is a huge issue with different kind of contaminations in supplements. The supplements you get on the internet are usually not very well tested and the propabiltiy of chronically poisoning yourself is pretty high. Maybe there is a good brand out there that does all the necessary tests (like neurohacker does with its nootropic stacks), but I dont know one personally! 
2) You are artificially lowering your DHT levels - that thats not a good thing for your health in general should be pretty clear. I recommend Finasteride as the last resort and with an even lower dose as recommended (0.2-0.75g).  
3) I am a big fan of Minoxodil + Microneedling + Keto-shampoo since you dont act systemically. Personally, I got great, great results with this kind of combo and I never had any side effects. If you can prevent system-therapy with similar results than this is always the preferable treamtment option.
 

Edited December 13, 2021 by undeather

[Michael569]

@undeather makes sense, thanks for clarifying that. 

I guess my thing against these 5AR blockers was that they can mess up with a person's libido and sex drive,is that not so? I recall seeing some of those adverse effects of Finasteride which seemed quite vicious. But yah, contamination is always a concern in natural products. 

[Leo Gura]

Get used to it. Shave your head.

[King Merk]

Hair transplant surgery seems to be a viable option if you’re willing to spend some money.

I started losing my hair at about 20 so I feel you.

[Thought Art]

Me as well I think 

[mmKay]

@Rasheed @Rasheed I've been suffering severe hair loss for 3 months or more. In my case it's covid after effects ( I had it 4 times before getting vaccinated) 

Its supposed to be temporal though. 

[Yarco]

Majority is primarily genetics, passed down through men on your mother's side

Don't waste too much time obsessing about why or trying to fix it though. You can waste thousands of dollars and hours in futility trying to hold on to your hair. Eventually it's all going to go. Just accept it

Like Leo said, just shave your head, and move on from it.

Look at the channel BaldCafe on Youtube for inspiration... tons of videos of guys who finally bit the bullet and shaved it all off, and they consistently look sooo much better after - https://www.youtube.com/c/Baldcafe/videos

Edited December 14, 2021 by Yarco

[Hardkill]

I started losing my hair at around my early 20s. I now have a bald spot at the crown of my head. I know how you feel OP, at least to some degree. I feel insecure about my bald spot everyday.

I think mine was caused by too much dihydrotestosterone, because at the same time I was losing hair from the top my head, I was gaining more body hair on my chest, shoulder and back of my neck. 

If you still have a good amount of hair left then maybe try some kind of hair concealer for a while. I haven't used it myself, but I actually want to try it on myself soon. 

Edited December 14, 2021 by Hardkill

[Dryas]

1 hour ago, Yarco said:

Majority is primarily genetics, passed down through men on your mother's side

Isn’t the mother side thing a myth? My mother’s side has amazing hair but not me. Or did I just get especially unlucky?

Edited December 14, 2021 by Dryas

[Rasheed]

Thanks everyone for the answers

• I could not understand one thing: So it turns out to be because of testosterone? What difference between TRT vs. DHT ?
• What’s the best solution which helped you the most other than Minoxodil + Microneedling + Keto-shampoo?

P.S I have lot of hair on entirety of my body, that’s a sign of high testosterone, That’s why I asked if could TRT cause that.

Edited December 14, 2021 by Rasheed

[8Ball]

I know this might not be what you want to hear, but you will get over it. Work out lik hell and get a killer physique if you care that much about looks.

[Bando]

@Rasheed Go to youtube type in "More Plates More Dates" followed by hair loss. He makes very good videos investigating what causes hair loss and practical solutions for fixing them. Your young so you can still prevent a lot of hair loss take the time to educate yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n-L-g9WaNM

Start with this video and go down the rabbit hole from there

[Raptorsin7]

On 12/12/2021 at 10:23 PM, Rasheed said:

Hair loss at 18

What can be the cause?

Can high testosterone cause hair loss?

I think I found a stack to help preserve your hair. I believe there is a cause for premature balding, so seek the true cure 

[hamedsf]

high testosterone is not the cause of hair loss or male pattern baldness, high DHA is!
and it's because you may have a genetic background for it.
but other than that, try to eat healthy food and enrich your diet with different minerals necessary for the body.
also, avoid canned stuff at all costs!

[AdroseAkise]

Twitter thread on hair loss.