Dihydrotestosteron (DHT) Test

DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is a testosterone metabolite. It produces similar effects to testosterone but is more powerful. DHT is three to six times stronger than testosterone.

DHT comes under the classification of androgens. It is produced predominantly in the prostate and adrenal glands. Conversion of testosterone to DHT is accomplished by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase.

Androgens are a component of steroids that stimulate and regulate the development and maintenance of masculine features. DHT is responsible for male pattern baldness and prostate cancer. Both testosterone and DHT bind to the same receptors. DHT, however, does it more effectively. The reactions of DHT and testosterone binding are distinct.

The DHT in the body is attached to proteins in the blood, such as albumin and sex hormone-binding globulin. Less than 1% of the DHT is freely circulating in the blood.

The effects of dihydrotestosterone on the human body are numerous. It is a precursor of other steroid hormones.

In general, an excess of dihydrotestosterone has several health effects in males, including prostate enlargement and male pattern baldness.

Hirsutism and female pattern baldness are other possible side effects. Lack of DHT production might result in sexual differentiation issues such as androgen insensitivity syndrome.

DHT has several effects on people, which could be a result of:

• An increase in DHT receptors in the follicles.
• Increased sensitivity to androgen receptors.
• DHT synthesised in increased quantities in other tissues.
• Increased testosterone in circulation, which acts as a precursor to DHT.

Follicles, which are essentially small capsules that contain a single strand of hair, generate hair all over your body. A hair follicle passes through a growth cycle that lasts two to six years on average.

The root of the hair present within the follicle will grow back out of the follicle even if you trim or shave your hair. At the end of this cycle, the hair goes into a resting phase before finally emerging a few months later. The follicle subsequently produces new hair and the cycle repeats itself. This cycle starts all over again with a new set of hair.

High levels of DHT can shrink the hair follicles and speed up this cycle, causing hair to become thinner, brittle and fall out more quickly. When existing hair falls out, DHT may delay the development of new hair in your follicles.

Sexual disorders, Male pattern baldness, Infertility, Prostate enlargement, Erectile dysfunctions

The dihydrotestosterone test measures the level of dihydrotestosterone in the blood in men and women.

Doctors recommend the dihydrotestosterone test reports when

• The patient is on 5-alpha reductase inhibitors
• The patient’s chemotherapy needs monitoring
• They have to diagnose a 5-alpha reductase deficiency

Dihydrotestosterone test reports are advised for males with the following symptoms:

• Baldness
• Prostate enlargement
• Erectile dysfunction
• Development of breast
• Decreased libido
• Urinary incontinence
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Delayed healing
• Infertility

The Dihydrotestosterone test is also advised for females with the following symptoms:

• Masculine traits
• A deep voice
• Increased body hair, known as hirsutism
• Increased muscle mass
• Excess fat accumulation in the body
• Amenorrhoea or late menses
• Acne
• Slow healing of the skin after an injury
• Infertility

For males:

Like most hormonal treatments, dihydrotestosterone treatment takes time.

As a result, the doctor will require repeat dihydrotestosterone reports every three months.

The dihydrotestosterone values help to monitor the levels and track the treatment strategy. The once-in-three-months check-up will reveal whether the dihydrotestosterone test results have increased, decreased or remained the same.

Your doctor would repeat this test annually if the dihydrotestosterone chart values are in the normal range in the last report.

For females:

If the doctor finds masculine traits in females, they may ask for a dihydrotestosterone test. If the dihydrotestosterone range is higher, the test is repeated after three months to monitor levels after treatment.

The test is repeated annually for women who have a history of elevated testosterone or previous medical history of dihydrotestosterone.

What to Expect During the Test

Before the Test

Normally, no special test preparation is necessary before undergoing a Dihydrotestosterone Test. However, if this test is conducted along with another test, your physician may advise you to abstain from certain foods. To ensure the most accurate results, seek guidance from a healthcare professional before proceeding with the test.

During the Test

A blood sample is procured from a vein in your arm. Your experience will unfold as follows:

• The area where the needle will be inserted will be sanitised with antiseptic lotion.
• A tourniquet band will be secured around the arm to expand the veins.
• A new syringe needle will be introduced into the vein to extract blood. This process may take a few moments, during which you may experience slight discomfort from the needle pricking.
• The blood sample will be preserved in a small vial or test tube along with your test particulars.

After the Test

Once the blood has been collected:

• A dressing will be applied to the needle insertion site to prevent bleeding.
• In some instances, minor soreness or dizziness may occur. You may be instructed to rest for a few minutes.
• Notify your physician if there is any bleeding, pain, or rash at the puncture site.

The dihydrotestosterone test results include only one parameter which is DHT levels in the blood, covering:

• Increase in dihydrotestosterone levels
• Decrease in dihydrotestosterone levels

Dihydrotestosterone normal ranges differ according to the ‘Tanning stage’. The successive stages of physical development in adolescents are measured with the Tanner scale.

Each stage denotes a distinct secondary sexual transition. Every phase has different ages for boys and girls.

Normal ranges for the dihydrotestosterone test for males

Men older than 19 years of age: Normal dihydrotestosterone values must be between 112 and 955 pg/mL.

Normal ranges for the dihydrotestosterone test for females

Women between 20 and 55 years of age have Normal dihydrotestosterone values equal to or less than 300 pg/mL.

For women older than 55 years, normal values are less or equal to 128 pg/mL.

The normal values and reference ranges of the test may vary from lab to lab. Please refer to the ranges mentioned in the report and consult a doctor to understand the interpretation of lab reports.

Test interpretation needs consideration of variable factors. Increased levels in the dihydrotestosterone chart could be a sign of various disorders, such as:

• Prostate disease - DHT increases the production of cells in the prostate. DHT works along with the female hormone oestrogen to cause prostate enlargement.
• Benign prostate hypertrophy - BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or benign prostate enlargement is associated with DHT.
• Male pattern baldness - Androgens play a crucial role in puberty-related hair growth patterns. Not all hair follicles, however, respond to androgens in the same way. An overabundance of DHT, in particular, has been linked to both beard development and male pattern baldness.
• Hirsutism - Overproduction of DHT may be the cause of excessive face and body hair growth in women.

Low levels of DHT values can cause:

• Delayed sexual development during puberty - Lack of DHT can inhibit the growth and development of secondary sexual traits in males.
• Late or incomplete development of reproductive organs - The development of male sexual organs (penis and testicles) gets affected by low values of DHT.
• Change in fat distribution in the breasts of males - Males with low DHT often develop gynecomastia (breast tissue like that in females)
• Prostate tumours -  Low DHT causes an increase in prostate cells and results in prostate tumours.
• Sexual dysfunction - Low levels of DHT are known to reduce libido and sex drive.