Finasteride's effects on liver?

General Discussion
#1

Does finasteride have any effect on the liver?

I read that 75 percent of cholesterol is made in the liver, and the rest is from dietary sources i.e. animal products. It’s interesting to note that allopregnanolone (which attaches to GABA-A receptors in the brain) is derived from progesterone which is derived from pregnanolone, which in turn is synthesized from cholesterol. My slurred speech/tripping over words showed up when on Propecia and after I gave up dairy milk (which I used to drink like it’s my job) and red meat and started drinking soymilk like it’s my job (all for hair’s sake whether right or wrong at the time). I started back on dairy milk a couple weeks ago and at first I thought I was so much improved, but it still feels crappy. Maybe give it some more time as I get more cholesterol in me?

On a similar token, I used to pound the whey protein shakes like it was my job, and I haven’t had one since the pre-Propecia days in mid May. they usually come with multiple amino acids, esp. glutamine, which is one of the only amino acids that can apparently cross the blood-brain barrier. Maybe this can affect GABA levels?

#2

Perhaps, but I wouldn’t hold your breath.

Up until about a month ago, I was what they call a “gym buff”. I’m talking 6 days a week, 2 hours of heavy lifting. I used to pound raw eggs, protein shakes, and creatine like it was candy. This was pre-propecia, during propecia and post-propecia. I probably had at least 3 whey shakes a day, and they did not help at all with sexual functioning or slurring/confusing words.

The amino acid that has worked for me, albeit in very large doses, is L-Arginine. Take about 3-4 grams (yes, grams, 6-8 pills) on an empty stomach, and you’ll notice erections are very easy to achieve when stimulated.

Otherwise, I hate to limit your options–I wish I could help, but I don’t know of anything to help us. I’m researching certain drugs and I will be trying them out to see how they help–I will keep you informed.

Good luck.

#3

Alcohol (ethanol) works 100% or close there. For example, I went out last night and, like before, had a few brewskies, and I was speaking very fluidly, crisply not slurring, and the wit was there. Again, I knew alcohol worked, but obviously it’s not good to drink all the time, unless of course it’s a small cup of red wine a day…

#4

I’ve found red wine actually works better then beer to give me that fluidity and smoothness. Only thing is, I can’t have just one glass, I end up drinking the bottle. Needless to say, that can be counterproductive. NOt to mention the effects of continued use on your liver.

#5

Think the side effects from Propecia somehow stem from some minor damage to the liver?

#6

Nope.

Have you checked out your liver recently? I’m sure there’d be definite warnings about liver problems, as something like damaging the liver is a SERIOUS lawsuit (much more so than damaging some guy’s sexual function). Drugs that cause liver problems are usually the main reason drugs are pulled from the market (look at Serzone).

It’s worth checking out though, but I don’t find this one as crucial as other theories.

#7

You said you were taking creatine before, during, and after Propecia? I’ve read that 95% of creatine is stored in the muscles and the remaining 5% is stored in the brain, testes, and heart. Think it helped at all or not did you say, particularly for slurred speech?

On a side note, I’ve heard creatine affects growth hormone levels. As far as growth hormone, I’m unclear as to whether it’s good or bad for hair loss.

#8

Also, I’ve heard that researchers are Considering the possibility that Creatine has a significant effect in the brain, specifically with boosting working memory and fluid intelligence (see: opposite of brain fog).

Here’s a reference. sciencedaily.com/releases/20 … 070944.htm

Granted, this was a study performed on vegetarians (and there’s another study out there that found similar effects with old peo- Oh … Old people … You know, like people who aren’t producing the same hormonal balance they were back when they were young, or before they took fin.)

I’m looking into shedding about 60-70 lbs (27-32 kg) and I figured I’d do it while building some muscle. I found out about Creatine, and it’s mental effects, and I thought of you guys. Interesting stuff.

#9

perhaps liver is tired too. when adrenals were stressed they needed much cortisol, that is made from cholesterol. cholesterol is made by the liver. the aromatasa is made by the liver too, and it had to made more than before because DHT was blocked and it was the only way to eliminate the excess of T

#10

well the liver does play a role in regulating hormones
the tests you get at the doctor basically tests for severe liver problems ; hep , cirrhosis and liver disease.

what i don’t understand though is the liver is supposed to be good at healing itself when given the right nutrients which i assume most people here would be doing now with healthier diets and what not so if the liver is to blame why it has not been able to bring itself into equilibrium is something i cannot explain but then again this question can be put to most theories people have around here.