Also losing the battle

Stats:
Gender: Male
Age: 22 years
First signs of hairloss: 19 years
Current hair condition: Diffuse thinning all over, NW2

Trialled Treatments:

Rogaine
In late 2004 at age 19 I began using Rogaine extra strength on the front hairline, it was working well and I noticed thick regrowth (although some of the hairs were bent and ‘unnatural’ looking).
Sides: Discontinued treatment in mid 2006 over a range of sides: increased acne on the forehead and face, hair on the upper cheeks, hair on fingers, tight chest and panic attacks. Side effects subsided after discontinuing use.

Propecia
Reeling from the effects of my worst shed ever, I took on Propecia in Jan 06 and it brought an instant end to the shedding – within two doses in fact. I thought it was a miracle drug.
Sides: Discontinued use after four days – experienced dizziness, heavy head, hot flashes, loss of ibido. Tried to take it again after a 3 day break, but the sides reappeared.

IH: Top 3 started in March 06: Green Tea, Beta Sis, Flax Ligans - noticed little effect over the months, heavy shedding
Picked up ACA/ALA and Biotin in Sept 06 – better concentration and nails grew at a rapid rate, still no effect on the hair
Picked up Cod Liver Oil Dec 06 – Instant effect in reducing acne and improving my complexion, joint pains in knees were relieved (no more clicking). Shedding seemed to slow and thought I noticed new growth on the hairline (mind playing tricks most likely).
Dropped Beta Sis in Dec 06 – noticed a slight shed, wanted to go back on it but immortal advised against


Current Regimen:

Vitacost HMR Lignans – 1 each morning
Doctors Trust Green tea Extract – 3 caps a day
Doctors Trust Cod Liver Oil – 8 caps a day
Doctors Trust Biotin – 5 caps a day
Doctors trust Acetyl L-Carnitine & Alpha Lipoic Acid – Reduced to 1 cap with each meal (cost factor) and have noticed little difference

Topicals: Head and Shoulders, TTO, Emu Oil Shampoo (on rotation), Nizoral 1% (added 2 weeks ago)

Diet: Decent but could be better. I eat plenty of fruit and veggies and have a protein shake after a workout. However, my diet has high levels of carbohydrates due to my Italian background and trying to put on weight through the gym. I’m guilty of 2-3 beers a week.

Pysical Condition: Slim/Athletic build, 74kgs 182cm (5’11)

Mental Well being: Since being on the regimen the hair loss hasn’t played on my mind as much. I think the fact when I was on rogaine and constantly checking in the mirror made me think about it more. I do experience periods of depression over it, especially when looking at photos – these normally last a week or so (going through a mild one atm).

Exercise: Gym 4 times a weeks, Indoor/Outdoor Soccer twice a week

Assessment:
Positives: High levels of energy, superb complexion, elevated mood, increased libido. Metabolism seems to be working in overdrive as well. Shedding seems to have subsided since adding Cod Liver Oil and the Lignans in Dec 06 and March 07 respectively.

Negatives: Hair has continued to deteriorate; however based on my father’s hair loss pattern mine is going along more slowly. Scalp is still flaky and itchy, and skin is very oily.

Outlook: At the current rate of loss I’m probably looking at being a dome head by the age of 26/27 (About the same as Dad). I still however hold onto the hope that IH’s regimen will kick in at full thunder and will regrow my hair soon. I definitely rate his regimen for curing almost every health problem I had before (acne, mild depression, poor energy levels, joint pain in the knees from soccer) but as a hair loss remedy I’m still not entirely convinced its right for me.

If I had to point to the golden vitamin, the cod liver oil seems to have had the most profound effect on my hair and other aspects of health.