Basically I've dealt with gynecomastia for the past oh, 12-13 years since I was 11 years old.
This past July/August, I finally found out it wasn't just me and that it was a condition. I was rather happy because I realized that I can get rid of it with some surgery.
Fair enough, right?
However, I noticed a little more than a year ago my hairline was thinning, and more than that, I had some abnormal loss to one side of the head. It wasn't due to stress, though, because that type of alopecia generally grows back and falls out during times of stress or whatever. And the added fact my whole top of my head was thinning rapidly had me believe it was normal hair loss.
About 5 months ago I started Propecia. It seemed to work 2 months into it. I got to a point where I thought hair loss slowed down... then it sped up again. I later realized (after reading the package) that some of the medication they sold me had -expired-! It had an odd skunky smell but I attributed it to the drug and thought that I just hadn't noticed it before. Wrong!
Anyways, I got a new source for the pill (new pharmacy on college campus) and the stuff they use is fresh--it expires 2009. I've been on it for a little over a month now with no sign of slow down. Some people suggest you wait a good 3 months before making a decision, but damn... I'm fearing the worst here.
Given that my hairloss while on propecia before was questionable as the potency of the pills was unknown (and it had a skunk smell as soon as i popped the pill from the silver punch pack thingie that meds come in), I'll still stay on it for another 3-4 months before making a judgement call.
I've been using Neutrogena T-Gel (coal tar) for 3 or 4 months but that doesn't help. At first it made my hair feel thick but I attribute that to an illusion--it was just coating the hair I had, but not really making a difference in overall hair count.
I just picked up some Nizoral 2% as I heard that is a good shampoo to use (some people experience minor growth on it--perhaps it can slow down hair loss?).
I've thought about doing a 3-step hair loss prevention plan where I use rogaine too, as some people suggest that put together, propecia, rogaine and nizoral are a good combo.
I'm hesistant and skeptical, though. My hair is thinning so fast all over the top of my head, if nothing works soon, I don't think I have a chance.
God, just when I realize that the gynecomastia can be fixed, I realize I'm going to end up bald *sigh*. Trade one insecurity for another. Oh well, tis life I suppose.
I might go see the doctor for a physical. I've felt moody, tired, and often confused in the afternoon for the past year. There is no history of diabetes in the family, but I wonder about hypothyroidism. I know that its rare for either to effect hair and trigger hair loss, but I've heard adrenal gland problems can goof around hormones enough to cause hair loss.
Any other ideas you guys have? COULD gynecomastia have any involvement to create this problem? Have you ever heard of gyne causing hair loss? I figure it would boost estrogen levels, but not testosterone (which is what causes hair loss...conversion to DHT which does some yucky stuff to your hair)...
In the event gyne, diabetes or hypothyroidism have absolutely nothing to do with it, my current plan should still help me out:
Lose 40-50 lbs.
Bulk up hard.
Get the gynecomastia surgery done.
Take care of my body (healthy eating, lots of water, exercise, 8 hours sleep every night)
Vain things (teeth whitened, tan, back waxed)
... all of those combined plus confidence from working out (and getting rid of my moobs) should offset the baldness somewhat I hope.