Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) Blood Test: Normal Ranges, Causes & What Your Results Mean

What Is Dihydrotestosterone?

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a potent androgen hormone derived from testosterone through the action of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. Although DHT circulates at much lower concentrations than testosterone, it binds to androgen receptors with approximately 2–3 times greater affinity, making it the more powerful androgenic hormone.

DHT plays essential roles during male foetal development, driving the formation of external genitalia. After birth, it contributes to male-pattern body and facial hair growth, prostate development, and sebaceous gland activity. In women, DHT is present in smaller amounts but still influences hair growth patterns and skin health.

Clinically, DHT is most commonly discussed in the context of androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern hair loss) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), both conditions driven by excess DHT activity in target tissues.

Why Is Dihydrotestosterone Tested?

• Hair loss investigation - elevated DHT is the primary driver of androgenetic alopecia in both sexes
• Prostate health - DHT stimulates prostate growth; elevated levels are linked to BPH
• Monitoring 5-alpha reductase inhibitors - drugs like finasteride and dutasteride work by blocking DHT production
• Ambiguous genitalia in newborns - DHT measurement helps diagnose 5-alpha reductase deficiency
• Hirsutism in women - excess DHT can cause male-pattern hair growth
• Acne evaluation - DHT stimulates sebaceous glands, contributing to severe acne

Normal Ranges

DHT should be interpreted alongside total and free testosterone, SHBG, and clinical symptoms for a complete picture.

What Do High DHT Levels Mean?

• Androgenetic alopecia - genetic sensitivity of hair follicles to DHT causes miniaturisation and eventual hair loss
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia - excess DHT drives prostate enlargement in older men
• PCOS - some women with PCOS have elevated DHT contributing to hirsutism and acne
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia - excess androgen production includes elevated DHT
• Anabolic steroid use - exogenous testosterone is converted to DHT
• Androgen-secreting tumours - rare adrenal or ovarian tumours

What Do Low DHT Levels Mean?

• 5-alpha reductase deficiency - a rare genetic condition preventing testosterone-to-DHT conversion
• Finasteride or dutasteride use - these medications deliberately reduce DHT by 60–90%
• Hypogonadism - low testosterone leads to proportionally low DHT
• Ageing - testosterone and DHT gradually decline with age in men
• Saw palmetto supplements - may mildly inhibit 5-alpha reductase

How to Improve Your DHT Levels

• If DHT is too high (hair loss/prostate) - discuss 5-alpha reductase inhibitors with your doctor; topical treatments like minoxidil can also help
• Dietary approaches - green tea, pumpkin seed oil, and zinc may modestly influence DHT metabolism
• If DHT is too low - address underlying testosterone deficiency; resistance training and adequate sleep support healthy androgen production
• Stress management — chronic stress disrupts the HPG axis and can affect all androgen levels
• Maintain healthy body composition — excess body fat increases aromatase activity, potentially shifting the testosterone-to-oestrogen ratio

When Should You Get Tested?

• You are experiencing hair thinning or pattern hair loss
• You have symptoms of prostate enlargement (urinary frequency, weak stream)
• Women with excess facial or body hair growth
• You are taking or considering finasteride/dutasteride
• As part of a comprehensive androgen panel

Which Lola Health Tests Include DHT?

DHT is available as an add-on biomarker with any Lola Health blood test. For a detailed hormonal assessment, pair it with our Hormone 7 panel or Peak Insights test which includes testosterone and SHBG.