I read some testimonies of people taking finasteride and as I have seen, finasteride increases the amount of free testostrone and as a consequence of it, increases muscle mass but not in a significative level. Although I’m a little bit confused because I have read people saying that taking propecia decreases muscle mass. So I think it was interesting that we could clarify this question here once for all. What’s yout opinion??
Can’t speak for everyone but I did not notice any gain of muscle mass, just fat.
Same here…I was ripped before propecia. Now I’m crippled.
Put on muscle and fat on Finasteride, after quitting swung complete opposite – now have muscle wastage and taking on more female body shape/fat distribution (chest, hips, arms, legs).
It’s particularly noticeable when looking at photos of myself before Fin, while on Fin, and since.
I was a workout freak before taking propecia and in great physical shape.
Looking back it might have increased my T slightly for the first year, but then it began to lower it gradually; very similar to guys coming off of steriods.
Most people would think I’m in very good shape, but I woud say I’m 50-60% of the strength, size and pure muscle that I was. I was 185 and cut, know I’m 170. I just don’t have the ability to do what I used to do. It’s a reduction in Free Testosterone pure and simple.
Hey Bostom , I am having the same problem, find it very diff to put on muscle, at most put on around 2kg. When pre fin would put on around 3kg. But have fat around waist, love handles. My body does not feel tight anymore at all. I took propecia for about 6 wks back in 2006. So my question what have u done to combat this? Did u put on fat around the abdominals? I have solid 4 pack…its killing me dude. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks shaamus
boston09 and shamus, I am in the same spot. I can’t get cut, can’t gain back the weight even though I’m lifting all the time. I’ve made a lot of progress since I stopped fin, but the muscle and I suspect bone density that makes you tight and strong has been replaced with extra water weight under the skin…
Hey Martin mate,
This is body issue is killing me man, what have you done in form of supplements?
I have had some blood test done, but not the specialist ones, that are recommend here. I have an appointment to see the endo in about 2 to 3 mnths at the hospital in the UK. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks
shaamus
I have not had much luck with supplements. Most have a honeymoon effect and then drop off so I’m worse than when i started. I’m taking 2000 - 4000 IU vit D3, 500 mg L-Arginine when I no longer have a swollen feeling in the body (currently about once every 7-10 days), and I’ve got horny goat weed on order. Check out my story for more info in the link below.
I’ve tried a lot of supps but most made me feel worse in the long run. So I’m sticking with these for now unless I have a negative reaction. Plus I have a protein/amino supp every time I workout.
Honestly I think the best thing I’ve done is going to the gym consistently 4-6 days a week for the past year and eating healthy. It’s difficult to start, like your body is on empty, but I credit the majority of my improvement to this. Well, this and eating healthy. No sugar, alcohol, caffeine, bread, etc.
Martin mate, u from the uk? Have tried taking these PCT products? My test level was at 18.5nmol/L at 2pm, so coudnt get it measured in the morning. Im thinking of getting the PCT supplement, or some estrogen inhabiting supplement, along with omega 3 fish oil, multi vit. what do u think of pct?
Martin or Shammus, have eithe of you guys had your thyroid or adrenals tested?
I have not, but I’m looking to get this done soon. This could play a role with us as well. I unfortunately believe the problems we have involve many different hormones that are screwed up within our bodies.
Here are some the symptoms of adrenal fatigue:
•excessive fatigue and exhaustion
•non-refreshing sleep (you get sufficient hours of sleep, but wake fatigued)
•overwhelmed by or unable to cope with stressors
•feeling rundown or overwhelmed
•craving salty and sweet foods
•you feel most energetic in the evening
•a feeling of not being restored after a full night’s sleep or having sleep disturbances
•low stamina, slow to recover from exercise
•slow to recover from injury, illness or stress
•difficulty concentrating, brain fog
•poor digestion
•low immune function
•food or environmental allergies
•premenstrual syndrome or difficulties that develop during menopause
•consistent low blood pressure
•extreme sensitivity to cold
Balance Your Blood Sugar With Your Diet
To minimize stress on the adrenal system, and ensure maximum energy, you should consider a low-glycemic (low-sugar) diet, consisting of sufficient protein and fat, low-glycemic carbohydrates, eaten in smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. Sugar and simple carbohydrates put stress on the adrenal glands due by rapidly shifting blood sugar levels. By switching to vegetables, fruits and proteins, and high fiber carbohydrates, blood sugar remains more stable, providing less strain on the adrenal glands.
thyroid.about.com/cs/endocrinolo … atigue.htm
Hey Boston,
I have most of the symptons, fatigue is a big thing for me. Feel shattered even if I havent done anything!!
I have got like a general blood test to test the adrenals, and the doctor said it was fine. But I need to see the endo at the hospital, and in the uk, due to health service being open, there is a waiting list, I will hopefully get my appointment in a couple of months.
shaamus
Boston, I tried with multiple doctors and none were willing. I gave up.
Shamus, I am in Washington DC. I have not tried PCT therapies specifically, so no hormones or blockers, but I have tried most herbs and supplements that I could find/think of.
hey martin,
I meant supplements mate, natural test booster, and estrogen inhabitor supplments.
So which supplements u taken mate?
Thanks for ur reply.
shaamus
This will happen with all supplements if you don’t cycle them properly, despite what the directions say. Take a supplement once a week, that’s it. Make sure you have several so that you can take a different one everyday and you’ll be covered. Everytime you take it, it will work.
Cd nuts are you in good shape? I presume your weigh train? fat levels?
Thanks Shaamus
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Yes, I train…hard.
I’m 6’4’ 225 with about 10% BF. I try and do everything I can to keep my hormones in a healthy range from diet to exercise to supplements. Cycling T boosting supps was really a break through for me and allowed me to enjoy working out again. Now, I don’ t have to take them everyday because my body seems to be “getting it” now. I have an athletic build again and my muscles are hard, not soft and doughy.
I do have to watch my estrogen though. Too much beer or the wrong foods and I can use my dick like a health barometer to see how much estrogen I have. It’ll shrink up when I’m in the E zone.
So the t boosting supps gave you the motivation/desire to work out. I have a hard time mustering the motivation. I still get the good feelingafter working out but the “edge” isn’t there. Sucks.
CD Nuts,
thats awesome man!!! so ur in fanstasic shape!! im going to get there man, did you use estrogen inhabiting supplements?
shaamus
thanks for u help man
before fin I was like 9% to 10% body fat
now it goes up to around 14%, with a sligh buldge!! never been fat in my life, but dnt feel tight!! gonna get these supplements man!!
Yes, compared to without them, it’s like night and day. The “edge” isn’t quite as sharp as I remember it being, but it’s good enough to keep me in the gym. I really don’t think I’ll ever get that sharp, crisp, edge feeling again like I remember it. I think too much has been altered. Who knows…
I’m in as good as shape as I can possibly be, given the circumstances. I’m not my pre-fin self, as none of us are, but I’m close. Thing is my strength is great, it just doesn’t quite show like it used to, asthetically I mean. Creatine definitely helps with definition and hardness.
Shaamus: Make sure you get a ball zinger. Like anything else, alot of guys notice a difference and some guys don’t, but for $20 bucks, it can’t hurt to see what camp you’re in…