What is 5a-DHT (Dihydrotestosterone)?

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT, 5-dihydrotestosterone, 5a-DHT) is an endogenous androgen sex steroid and hormone. Testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the action of 5α-reductase in target tissues.

Although it is about one-tenth as abundant as testosterone, it accounts for most of testosterone’s biological action and is in part responsible for the development of the prostate, utricle, scrotum, penis, glans penis and the male type urethra.

Function of DHT test:

To  help diagnose male pattern baldness and a 5α-reductase deficiency.

High DHT levels:

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels can be elevated due to:

• Exercise
• Elevated testosterone levels
• Major depression (in females)
• Certain erectile dysfunction medication

High levels can cause:

• prostate gland enlargement
• CVD (=cardio vascular disease) and all-cause mortality

Possible symptoms:

• Male pattern baldness
• Male pattern hair growth (in females)
• Acne (male/female)

Possible treatments:

Consult your medical practitioner and look at the underlying condition. If your testosterone levels are high, you might want to work with your doctor to figure out how to lower them. If you are using any supplements to currently increase testosterone levels, you should reduce or stop those. There are also quite a few natural supplements that can potentially help lower DHT, such as saw palmetto, amla berry, piperine, reishi, curcumin or red gingseng.

References:

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28472278
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2096617/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23513070
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28472278
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4171668/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3040039/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC442061/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10996472
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24106072
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12657354
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4037728/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11739436
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/572765
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2923944/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6258368
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16029938/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25060817
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC442061/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26039262
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22178180
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4002402/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4350143/        

Disclaimer:

The information on healthmatters.io is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.