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Minoxidil

Oral tablet (2.5mg), Topical foam (5% + 0.01% tretinoin), Component of Marek Topical Hair FormulaAvailable in all 50 states

Marketing purposes only. Actual medications, if prescribed, are dispensed by a licensed pharmacy.

hair

MinoxidilMinoxidil

Vasodilator that prolongs anagen phase and increases hair follicle size. Available as oral (low-dose) and topical formulations. Low-dose oral minoxidil is increasingly used for hair loss when topical application is inconvenient.

Effective in both men and women

Oral form avoids topical application issues

Promotes hair regrowth and reduces shedding

Can be combined with other agents

No commitment · HSA/FSA eligibleNo commitment · HSA/FSA eligible

How it works

Mechanism of action

Opens potassium channels (KATP) in vascular smooth muscle, causing vasodilation and increased blood flow to hair follicles. Also stimulates VEGF expression, prolongs anagen phase, and increases follicle size. Oral form has systemic vasodilatory effects.

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 Minoxidil.

Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil for Hair Loss: Systematic Review

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2022)

Oral minoxidil (0.625 to 5mg) showed significant hair growth improvement with acceptable safety; hypertrichosis was most common side effect.

Safety profile

Monitoring & safety information.

Commonly reported side effects

  • Topical: scalp irritation, dryness
  • Oral: hypertrichosis (body hair growth), fluid retention, lightheadedness
  • Initial shedding (first 2 to 8 weeks)

Less common but serious risks

  • Oral: hypotension, reflex tachycardia, fluid retention/edema
  • Oral: pericardial effusion (rare, at higher doses)

Generally not appropriate for

  • Pheochromocytoma
  • Pulmonary hypertension (oral)
  • Pregnancy

Typical monitoring

  • Blood pressure (oral)
  • Heart rate (oral)
  • Hair density assessment
  • Peripheral edema assessment (oral)

FAQ

Quick answers.

Vasodilator that prolongs anagen phase and increases hair follicle size. Available as oral (low-dose) and topical formulations. Low-dose oral minoxidil is increasingly used for hair loss when topical application is inconvenient.
Effective in both men and women. Oral form avoids topical application issues. Promotes hair regrowth and reduces shedding. Can be combined with other agents.
Common side effects include: topical: scalp irritation, dryness, oral: hypertrichosis (body hair growth), fluid retention, lightheadedness, initial shedding (first 2 to 8 weeks). Most side effects are dose-dependent and may resolve with continued use or dose adjustment.
View all FAQs
See all FAQs

Vasodilator that prolongs anagen phase and increases hair follicle size. Available as oral (low-dose) and topical formulations. Low-dose oral minoxidil is increasingly used for hair loss when topical application is inconvenient.

Treatments are dependent on licensed clinical prescription. Client costs vary based on individual labs and panel in treatments and services.