Quick answer: DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is a potent androgen made from testosterone by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. It drives male development and contributes to body hair and libido. Higher DHT activity is linked with pattern hair loss, prostate enlargement, acne and some PCOS symptoms. Blood DHT does not always match how sensitive your tissues are to it.
Key takeaways
DHT is a strong androgen made from testosterone in the skin, hair follicles and prostate.
Higher DHT activity is often linked with pattern hair loss, prostate growth, acne and some features of PCOS, and blood levels do not always match what the tissues are doing.
Insulin sensitivity, genetics and certain medications can all influence DHT, so new urinary symptoms or hair thinning are worth reviewing with a clinician.
DHT is one piece of a larger hormone picture, and it helps to look at it next to testosterone, SHBG, and your symptoms.
What is DHT?
DHT is made from testosterone in the skin, hair follicles and prostate. It binds androgen receptors more strongly than testosterone. This marker is part of the Healthspan Assessment panel available to my 1-on-1 patients.
Why DHT matters
DHT matters for male sexual development, body and facial hair, libido, and prostate growth.
Understanding your result
Reference ranges vary by lab, age and sex. Your provider interprets your result against the lab’s range and your overall picture, rather than chasing a single number. Functional labs are optional. They can be helpful in more complex cases, and in my practice they are available only to patients working 1-on-1 with me.
What low DHT can mean
Low DHT can come from 5-alpha reductase blocking medications or from low testosterone.
What high DHT can mean
High DHT can reflect higher testosterone or testosterone therapy, PCOS in women, or genetic sensitivity of hair follicles and prostate.
What affects DHT
DHT is affected by testosterone levels, enzyme activity and genetics, insulin resistance, and medications.
Ways to support healthy levels
Improving insulin sensitivity can reduce androgen symptoms. For hair loss, see testosterone and talk with your provider about options. Men with urinary symptoms should be evaluated for prostate enlargement, and supplements such as saw palmetto are worth discussing with your provider.
DHT and healthy aging
DHT supports muscle and libido, but over decades it contributes to prostate growth and hair follicle changes, examples of tissue-specific aging.
Related tests and articles: free testosterone, SHBG.
When to see a naturopathic doctor
It may be time to see a naturopathic doctor if you have thinning hair, or urinary symptoms such as frequent night urination. The same is true for acne or excess hair in women, or if you are on testosterone therapy.
See a medical provider promptly for inability to urinate, blood in the urine or a testicular lump.
Have questions about whether this fits your situation? Dr. Kneessi offers a free 15-minute call to talk through your history and goals.
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DHT at a glance
| Topic | What the article explains |
|---|---|
| Where it is made | From testosterone in the skin, hair follicles and prostate |
| What it influences | Body and facial hair, libido and prostate growth |
| What can affect it | Testosterone levels, enzyme activity and genetics, insulin resistance and medications |
| Supportive steps | Improving insulin sensitivity and talking with your provider about hair or urinary concerns |
Questions to bring to your clinician
These questions can help you get the most out of your next visit.
Which of my other results would help put my DHT result in context?
Could any of my current medications or supplements be affecting my DHT level?
When would it make sense to recheck DHT, and what would we be looking for?
Which daily habits, such as sleep, meals and movement, are most worth focusing on for me right now?
Practitioner-grade options in my Fullscript catalog: if you and your clinician decide a supplement makes sense, my supplement guide by health goal links to the practitioner-grade products I trust.
Frequently asked questions
Does DHT cause hair loss?
It contributes in people whose follicles are genetically sensitive.
Should I test DHT?
It can help in some cases, but symptoms and other hormones matter more.
Does DHT affect the prostate?
Yes. DHT promotes prostate growth.
Do women make DHT?
Yes, in small amounts. Higher levels can be seen in PCOS.
What are the symptoms of high DHT?
Research has linked higher DHT activity to scalp hair thinning in a male pattern, oily skin and acne, and in women to unwanted facial or body hair. In men, DHT is also linked to prostate growth with age. These features depend on how sensitive your tissues are to DHT, not only on the blood level.
What are the symptoms of low DHT?
Low DHT in adult men has been linked to lower libido and changes in body hair, and it can occur with certain medications that block the enzyme that makes DHT. Low DHT is rarely a concern for women.
What is a normal DHT level?
Normal ranges vary by lab, sex, and age, so the range printed on your report is the best reference. DHT is usually interpreted together with total and free testosterone and SHBG.
Does DHT affect libido and sex drive?
DHT is one of several androgens involved in sex drive, but testosterone, estrogen, thyroid function, sleep, stress, and relationships all play a part too. In men, research has linked very low DHT, such as with medications that block the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, to lower libido in some people. A higher DHT level does not reliably mean a higher sex drive, so libido changes are usually looked at with the full hormone panel.
Is DHT stronger than testosterone?
At the receptor level, yes. DHT binds the androgen receptor more tightly than testosterone and stays bound longer, and it does not convert to estrogen. That is why small amounts of DHT have a strong effect in tissues like the scalp, skin, and prostate.
DHT is one piece of a larger hormone picture, and it helps to look at it next to testosterone, SHBG, and your symptoms.
Work with a naturopathic doctor near you
Dr. Kneessi sees patients in person in Odenton and by telehealth anywhere in Maryland. Learn more about visits for Annapolis, Odenton, Crofton, and Severna Park, or read about hormone testing and functional medicine in the area.
You can book a free 15-minute consult, or start with the free 28-Day Reset for Energy and Focus, a short daily email series on sleep, light, movement, and food.
Sources
- Xu G, et al. The etiology and pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia: the roles of sex hormones and anatomy. Res Rep Urol 2024. PMID: 39345801. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11430843/
- Owecka B, et al. The hormonal background of hair loss in non-scarring alopecias. Biomedicines 2024. PMID: 38540126. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10968111/
- Xu Y, Qiao J. Association of insulin resistance and elevated androgen levels with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): a review of literature. J Healthc Eng 2022. PMID: 35356614. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8959968/
- MedlinePlus: Hair Loss
- MedlinePlus: Enlarged Prostate (BPH)
This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace an individual evaluation. Talk with your healthcare provider before starting supplements or changing medications, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or managing a health condition.
