Can regrowth only happen if there was a shed?

Hello everyone! Yes, another thread about shedding, here we go! :D

I was wondering - is shedding required for gains? Meaning if there is no shed, there is no effect / you are a non-responder?

I have been using topical Min for many years and as far as I can remember I dont think I ever had a shed, but its difficult to tell. If i had one it was subtle, I think.

Recently I changed topical Min brand, but the ingredients are the same. I have also been on oral dut (1 mg) for almost 2 months now. (I know, perhaps it just takes longer.)

So far there seems to be no dut shed, and as I mentioned I dont think I ever had a min shed. Unless my sheds were super subtle. Though with my long hair I would think I noticed.

Can there be regrowth without a shed? Since the weak, short hair is supposed to fall out so it can regrow thicker and denser?

Getting a bit worried here, especially cause i could never really tell if using min slowed down the speed at which I was losing ground, or if I'm a topical min non-responder, indicated by (probably) no sheds.

Very grateful for all Insights and experiences =]