We are Suffering the side effects of Androgen Deprevation - there is no mystery.

[noniman]

Spstriken may onto something in regards to MSH:

A lot of guys on this site have obvious signs of infection:
solonjk, gefinauser, chrisC, bryce54 and myself just to name a few.

and apparently if your body is exposed to biotoxins it can result in reduced MSH (alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone), which affects libido…
hormone production and cortisol are also affected …

Check this website and read the section at the bottom:
betterhealthguy.com/joomla/topics/mold

… in those who are HLA-susceptible the moment that they are exposed to a biotoxin, it leads to increased leptin, increased cytokines, increased MMP-9 (MMP-9 is a global measure of cytokine activity in the body), reduced VEGF, and reduced MSH (alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone).
Reduced MSH leads to reduced ADH (antidiuretic hormone), reduced sex hormones, changes in cortisol and ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), prolonged illness, resistant staphylococci infections, gastrointestinal problems, chronic pain, and sleep disturbances. All of these are downstream effects of a biotoxin in an HLA-susceptible individual…

Anyone know much about HLA-susceptibility?

I didn’t study biology at school unfortunately…

[noniman]

the reason i ask this question is that according to wikipedia:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HLA-B

… Several variations of the HLA-B gene are associated with adverse reactions to certain drugs…

[sanane]

i think we all have bunch of autoimmune problems.

The following email from Mr. Stephen Foote addressed concerns about long term use of systematic 5-alpha reductase (finasteride) and risk of immune disorders. The email was reprinted with minor modifications in order to fit the format of our library.

Sep, 2001
Dear Hairsite.

Thank you for your email of the 17 Sept. I am the author of the paper currently published in HairSite. My research is currently being reviewed for possible publication in the journal Medical Hypotheses.

Because of the reaction this proposal has received to date, I would welcome the support of HairSite in my quest for an answer to the “Bottom Line” question that this generates.

The predicted effect of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors like Finasteride (Merck&Co) upon tissue immunology would confirm this proposed primary action of DHT. This would have automatic therapeutic consequences in a number of gender related conditions, including more effective targeting of male hair loss.

Unfortunately, this would also demonstrate that the long term use of systematic 5-alpha reductase inhibitors would significantly increase risk of immune disorders. This is not currently recognized in the data.

Through my correspondence with Merck&Co and the drug licensing authorities, it is clear that it is now known if Finasteride has this predicted effect or not. The problem is that there is no legal obligation that specific effects of drugs be disclosed, and to date there has been a consistent refusal to respond to this question .I am now sure that if Finasteride did not have this effect, this would have been willingly stated by now.
I therefore now feel that a general awareness of this important question, would help to generate a response to this, and I would welcome your support here.
Best wishes. Stephen Foote
hairsite2.com/library/abst-168.htm