Has Low Testosterone Kept My Hair?
Hi Dr. Rassman,
I’m a 28 year old male, and I’ve had low testosterone for years, and the associated symptoms (low sex drive, depression, anxiety, erectile problems). My latest levels are 294ng/dL Testosterone, and 6.7pg/mL Free Testosterone.
About two weeks ago I went on 5mg Androgel, and have started to feel a little better (still have a long way to go). However, I’m really worried about triggering hair loss. I’ve heard that transdermal testosterone can cause high DHT levels.
My hairline has moved up gradually in recent years, and I have thinning at the upper temples, which is visible under bathroom lighting. I’m probably a NW2, most people would say I have a full head of hair still. Could this testosterone replacement therapy cause me to lose hair faster? I’m thinking of possibly going on Propecia as a pre-emptive measure. Have I kept my hair just because of the low T level? What are your thoughts?
Before you jump into a lifetime course of Propecia, have your hair mapped out for miniaturization to find out if you have genetic hair loss in process now. If you do not, the addition of testosterone should not impact normal non-balding hair. But if you do have genetic balding characterized and diagnosed with this mapping process for miniaturization, then Propecia would be a good idea for you. I always like to know what I am treating before I recommend a lifetime worth of drugs. If you are asking me if your low testosterone has helped you keep your hair, well if you have genetic balding it might have helped a little.
Hi Dr. Rassman,
Your insights and feedback are very very helpful! :) Anyway, I was wondering if you think it’s normal to be 25 and to have never developed facial hair? I have never once had to put a razor to my face. My puberty was normal, beginning at age 13, and I pretty much stopped growing in height by age 18 or 19. Yet this is one characteristic I never developed. Dad and grandfathers all have/had normal beard development. Not that it’s something I crave having, but do you believe it’s indicative of some underlying hormonal problem? Thanks for your help.