Message Number: YG3275 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Steve Austin
Date: 2001-05-05 13:34:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Re: Adrenal and meds



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Propecia (finasteride) only works in baldness caused from
circulating androgens. . Testosterone is converted to a more
potent androgen, dihydortestosterone (DHT) by type II 5-
alpha-reductase. Propecia competitively inhibits this enzyme
and therefore, reduces the amount of DHT. It is thought that
DHT causes the hair follicles to atrophy, and is linked in
prostate enlargement.

My question is that the info. about Finasteride says that it "
does not appear to affect circulating concentrations of
cortisol, estradiol, prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone,
thyroxine or cholesterol. Research to date also suggests that
finasteride does not affect the
hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular-axis".- so how does it help
in prostatic enlargement in ferrets caused by increased
estrogens? Or , since DHT is found primarily in prostate
tissue, is there more of it as the prostate enlarges or has
some help, just not treating the primary problem?

Patty