Dutasteride vs Finasteride for Androgenetic Alopecia
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2014)
Dutasteride 0.5mg showed superior hair count increase vs finasteride 1mg at 24 weeks in a head-to-head RCT.
How it works
Marek's Guided Optimization® Program combines advanced lab testing, a dedicated health coach and medical provider, and a personalized treatment plan, all built around your data.
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The process
1
Start your assessment
Complete your 45-min intake assessment
2
Get your labs drawn
4,000 partnered lab locations nationwide
3
Review with your coach
Screen-by-screen lab review
4
Receive your protocol
Treatment delivered to your door
Why Marek
The only program pairing you with a dedicated health coach and medical provider, built on precision diagnostics, with no subscription required.
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Meet our co-founder
Derek
Co-Founder · MPMD Podcast
"Over time, I found it incredibly difficult to get medical oversight for myself and my family that reflected the latest research, and that was preventative. That's why I started Marek Health."
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What we test
Every client's lab panel is hand-selected from 1,000+ available biomarkers, built around their specific goals.
Panel categories
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Treatments
700+ medical provider-prescribed therapies built from your labs. Browse by category or explore the full formulary.
Dutasteride
Oral capsule (0.5mg), Topical solution (1%), Micro topical solution (0.1%)Available in all 50 statesMarketing purposes only. Actual medications, if prescribed, are dispensed by a licensed pharmacy.
hair
DutasterideDutasteride
Dual 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (type I and II) that reduces DHT by ~90%, more than finasteride's ~70%. Increasingly used for androgenetic alopecia, especially in finasteride non-responders.
More complete DHT suppression than finasteride
Effective in finasteride non-responders
Long half-life, steady-state levels
Topical formulation available for localized effect
No commitment · HSA/FSA eligibleNo commitment · HSA/FSA eligible
How it works
Mechanism of action
Inhibits both type I and type II 5-alpha reductase isoenzymes, reducing serum DHT by ~90% and scalp DHT further than finasteride. Longer half-life (~5 weeks) provides sustained suppression.
The baseline panel.
Every Marek client receives this baseline panel before a provider review. Your provider may add additional biomarkers based on your health history, symptoms, and goals, pulling from 1,000+ available markers. See more biomarkers →
Hormone Profile
12 markers
Sex hormones
- Total TestosteroneLC/MS
- Free TestosteroneEquilibrium Dialysis
- Estradiol, Sensitive / UltrasensitiveLC/MS
- Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
- ProgesteroneLC/MSFemale panel
- Prolactin
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- hCG, Total, QuantitativeFemale panel, pre-menopause
Adrenals & neurosteroids
- Cortisol
- DHEA-S
Growth hormone / IGF-1
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-1)
Thyroid Status
3 markers
Thyroid hormones
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Free T4
- Free T3
Heart Health
9 markers
Cardiovascular health
- Total Cholesterol
- HDL Cholesterol
- LDL Cholesterol
- LDL:HDL Ratio
- VLDL Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Apolipoprotein-B (ApoB)
- C-Reactive Protein, High Sensitivity (hsCRP)
- Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a))
Metabolism
3 markers
Insulin sensitivity
- Blood Glucose
- Fasting Insulin
- HbA1c
Organ Function
26 markers
Liver & pancreas
- AST
- ALT
- Bilirubin, Total
- γ-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
Kidney function
- BUN
- Creatinine w/ eGFR
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Glucose
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
- Creatinine
- eGFR
- BUN/Creatinine Ratio
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- Carbon Dioxide, Total
- Calcium
- Protein, Total
- Albumin
- Globulin, Total
- Albumin/Globulin (A/G) Ratio
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
- AST
- ALT
Prostate health
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)Male panel
- Free PSAMale panel
- % Free PSAMale panel
Nutrient Status
31 markers
Vitamins & minerals
- Vitamin D, 25-OHD (25-Hydroxy)
- Magnesium, RBC
Iron status
- Iron
- Iron Saturation
- TIBC
- UIBC
- Ferritin
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- White Blood Count (WBC)
- Red Blood Count (RBC)
- Hemoglobin (Hgb)
- Hematocrit (HCT)
- MCV
- MCH
- MCHC
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
- Platelets
- Neutrophils
- Neutrophils (Absolute)
- Lymphocytes
- Lymphocytes (Absolute)
- Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio
- Monocytes
- Monocytes (Absolute)
- Eosinophils
- Eosinophils (Absolute)
- Basophils
- Basophils (Absolute)
- Immature Cells
- Immature Granulocytes
- Immature Granulocytes (Absolute)
- NRBC, w/ Reflex for Immature Cells
Clinical evidence
The research behind Dutasteride.
Safety profile
Monitoring & safety information.
Commonly reported side effects
- Decreased libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Decreased ejaculate volume
- Gynecomastia
Less common but serious risks
- Post-finasteride-like syndrome (persistent symptoms)
- Teratogenic, pregnant women must not handle
Generally not appropriate for
- Pregnancy or women of childbearing potential
- Severe hepatic impairment
Typical monitoring
- PSA (dutasteride reduces by ~50%)
- Sexual function
- Hair density assessment
FAQ
Quick answers.
Dual 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (type I and II) that reduces DHT by ~90%, more than finasteride's ~70%. Increasingly used for androgenetic alopecia, especially in finasteride non-responders.
More complete DHT suppression than finasteride. Effective in finasteride non-responders. Long half-life, steady-state levels. Topical formulation available for localized effect.
Common side effects include: decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, decreased ejaculate volume, gynecomastia. Most side effects are dose-dependent and may resolve with continued use or dose adjustment.
Dual 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (type I and II) that reduces DHT by ~90%, more than finasteride's ~70%. Increasingly used for androgenetic alopecia, especially in finasteride non-responders.
Treatments are dependent on licensed clinical prescription. Client costs vary based on individual labs and panel in treatments and services.