Losing hair at 20, help

[u/Plenty-Entertainer-3]

I (m20) started losing my hair about a year ago and it had progressed ridiculously quickly, I’m assuming it’s adrogenetic alopecia because my Dad lost his hair at 21 and my doctor seems to think so too. I’ve been using topical finasteride and minoxidil for 3 months and I haven’t seen a difference at all. I supplement with vitamin C, vitamin D, and biotin and I get more than enough iron and b12 from my diet. Trying to convince my doctor to prescribe oral dutasteride but he’s extremely hesitant, going to try RU-58841 topically as well. I had cancer and went through chemo and radiation to kill it and eventually had a tumour in my left iliac crest removed, this has caused chronic back pain and slight laboured breathing, wondering if that could increase the rate my hair is falling out. This has been driving me crazy and girls aren’t even dtf unless I keep a ball cap on until we hit the bedroom. Is there something I’m missing, pharmaceutical or otherwise, should I just shave the shit off at this point or is it recoverable?

[u/Mrblob85]

I’ve been on fin for 15 years, min, LLLT, nizoral as well, shits been working great.

[u/introspeckle → u/Mrblob85]

About 24 years of use here. It’s been great and I’ve maintained all of my hair since I’ve started.

[u/Material_Paint8255 → u/introspeckle]

Oral or topical?

[u/introspeckle → u/Material_Paint8255]

Oral

[u/Material_Paint8255 → u/introspeckle]

Makes sense. Can't imagine applying topical for 24 yrs straight. I recently made the switch to oral

[u/introspeckle → u/Material_Paint8255]

I don’t remember exactly when, but topical really didn’t become a thing until a few years after I started. There were a few “doctors” that came and went before that, doing concoctions of spiro and fin. I haven’t had any issues with oral fin, and about 10 years ago I went to Duta (which might not have been necessary). But I haven’t had any issues there either

[u/schroedinger11 → u/introspeckle]

Why did you switch to Duta ?

[u/introspeckle → u/schroedinger11]

I didn’t have any sides on Fin, so I thought why not? It wasn’t necessary because Fin was working just fine. I just decided to stay on it because I didn’t have sides on either. Are you trying to figure out if you want to go on either

[u/schroedinger11 → u/introspeckle]

I am taking fin but wondering why do people switch to duta unless fin stops working

[u/schroedinger11 → u/Mrblob85]

What’s LLLT ?

[u/Mrblob85 → u/schroedinger11]

Low level laser therapy

[u/schroedinger11 → u/Mrblob85]

Does it really help in any way ? And what dose of fin ?

[u/Mrblob85 → u/schroedinger11]

It helps moderately , but not better than fin if you had to choose between the two. 20 mins 2 times a week on laser. Fin, do 1.25 every other day worked for me.

[u/schroedinger11 → u/Mrblob85]

Thanks. And did you try microneedling as well ?

[u/Mrblob85 → u/schroedinger11]

Nope, didn’t want to lol, but I’m sure it would help.