Testosterone and Balding

Hi doctor.

I recently asked you a question regarding if testosterone rise from propecia can cause hair loss, you said that testosterone doesn’t cause hair loss but DHT does. Someone else asked you if receiving testosterone shots can cause hair loss you replied:

“First of all I do not know why you are receiving testosterone shots. I would discuss all its negative side effects (including hair loss, liver damage, etc) with your doctor.

If you have the gene for androgenic balding, testosterone will increase the balding rate and possibly even continue on if you stop the testosterone therapy. If you do not have the balding gene, your hair should be safe with increasing amounts of testosterone, but your body may decay.”

Now here you clearly state testosterone does cause hairloss: “testosterone will increase the balding rate “

if someone takes propecia it means they have the balding gene, so then propecia will decrease DHT and in return increase testosterone that will lead to more hairloss. Please clarify this if you can because it is really confusing. I would really appreciate it. Thank you! you have an awesome blog! keep up the good work

Testosterone is metabolized by the body into DHT. If you increase your testosterone, your body will metabolize the testosterone and make more DHT as a byproduct of the metabolic process. It is the DHT that causes hair loss (if you have the genes for it).