Insulin & DHT

[LCPersonalTrainer]

First got Protein Power back in 98 and when I was about 19 and been a low carb devotee ever since. My reasons back then were all vanity since I was quite healthy and fit. Had a few spikes in my late 20's due to a 4 year marriage where I thought my discipline would win her over and it often worked in the opposite direction. I became a certified personal trainer 2 years ago.

During these spikes I have plagued with cysts, hair thinning, and ridiculous body hair growth. I am loooking for studies done and fellow LCers knowledge on the connection between elevated insulin levels and DHT.

Thank you. I especially want to know (in theory at least) if EXTREME dietary vigilance can stop and even reverse the process.

[kevindill]

IIRC ... low insulin results in more bound T, both loose and tight, -> less free T. It is the free T that is converted to both DHT and E2. So less free T, less conversion. I am not sure if LC will reverse the process but it will certainly slow and/or stop it.

[LCPersonalTrainer]

Okay so one thing has changed and I am curious if low carb and this could be too much for my hormones.

Started taking 1mg finasteride this last week. No ill side effects yet but I wonder if LC fixes my hormone problem then will the finasteride be too much and possibly increase my chances of the adverse side effects known.

I should also state that I have no doctor and no insurance. My finasteride is being purchased from India. Please no preaching. :) The brand I am using has a a good rep and others have used it successfully.

In case you care to know the brand is Appecia. Thank you for any advice in advance. I will say I believe the combo of the finasteride and LC should halt and reverse the progression as well as any possible treatment. My concern as stated is increased possibility of side effects.

So far so good though. :) Some cysts I have had for many months are even disappearing. I have read in various places that DHT is also implicated in acne so yea on the bonus I didn't expect.

[LynP]

Might investigate using a very small amt of topical progesterone. Endogenous progesterone (produced by both men & women however in diffent amts per day...read Dr John Lee's books or Dr Norman Shealy who patented a cancer treatment based on progesterone) reduces the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. Women's production of progesterone drops to ziltch sometime in the 30s-40s and for sure by peri-menopause/menopause; estrogen levels drop 40-70% -- usually what's needed to restore balance (and ameliorate menopausal symptoms) for most women is progesterone not estogen. The reduction (likely from my use of topical progesterone) in the conversion of T to DHT has slowed the hair loss I experienced for several months. I also switched my multiple to one that had more zinc and saw even more reduction in hair loss. Good luck!