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Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – Function and Effects

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a potent male sex hormone derived from testosterone that plays a key role in male development and is linked to hair loss and prostate conditions.

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Things worth knowing about "Dihydrotestosterone"

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a potent male sex hormone derived from testosterone that plays a key role in male development and is linked to hair loss and prostate conditions.

What is Dihydrotestosterone?

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a highly potent androgen, or male sex hormone. It is produced in the body through the conversion of testosterone by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. DHT binds to androgen receptors with significantly greater affinity than testosterone itself, resulting in stronger biological effects.

DHT is present in both men and women, but occurs at much higher concentrations in men. It is primarily produced in the prostate, testes, hair follicles, and adrenal glands.

Biological Functions

DHT plays several important roles in the body:

Embryonic development: DHT is essential for the formation of male external genitalia during fetal development.
Puberty: It promotes the development of secondary sexual characteristics such as body hair, facial hair, and genital growth.
Prostate: DHT plays an important role in the growth and function of the prostate gland.
Hair follicles: DHT influences the hair growth cycle and can cause androgenetic hair loss in genetically predisposed individuals.

DHT and Hair Loss

Androgenetic alopecia (hereditary hair loss) is the most common form of hair loss in both men and women. In genetically sensitive hair follicles, DHT causes miniaturization: with each growth cycle, hair becomes progressively thinner and shorter until growth stops entirely.

This process primarily affects the temples and crown in men (the typical male pattern) and the central parting in women.

DHT and the Prostate

Elevated DHT levels in prostate tissue are associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that is common in older men and can cause urinary difficulties. DHT may also play a contributing role in the development of prostate cancer.

Diagnosis and Lab Values

DHT levels can be measured in the blood. Normal reference ranges vary by age and sex:

Men: approximately 250–990 pg/mL (picograms per milliliter)
Women: approximately 24–368 pg/mL

Elevated DHT levels may indicate a hormonal disorder, while low levels can be seen in conditions such as 5-alpha-reductase deficiency.

Treatment for DHT-Related Conditions

To reduce DHT levels, 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are commonly prescribed. The most well-known agents include:

Finasteride: Used for androgenetic alopecia (1 mg daily) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (5 mg daily).
Dutasteride: Inhibits both isoforms of 5-alpha-reductase and is primarily used for BPH.

These medications can reduce blood DHT levels by up to 70–90%. Potential side effects include sexual dysfunction and, in rare cases, depressive symptoms.

DHT in Women

Elevated DHT levels in women can also cause health issues, including hirsutism (excessive body and facial hair), acne, and hair loss. This is often associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age.

References

Traish AM et al. - Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and the prostate: the scientific rationale for 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. Asian Journal of Andrology, 2017.
Sinclair R - Male pattern androgenetic alopecia. BMJ, 1998; 317(7162): 865-869.
World Health Organization (WHO) - Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and male reproductive health, 2020.

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