Dihydrotestosterone

Hormones marker

DHT

Dihydrotestosterone

Category: Hormones
Unit: nmol/L

Potent androgen converted from testosterone by 5-alpha reductase. Responsible for male sexual development, prostate growth, and androgenic effects including hair loss.

PED Notes

DHT is 3-5x more androgenic than testosterone. Elevated by exogenous testosterone (more substrate for 5-alpha reductase) and by DHT-derivative compounds (Masteron, Primobolan, Anavar, Winstrol). High DHT drives androgenic side effects: male pattern hair loss, acne, prostate enlargement, and body hair growth.

When high

When elevated -- hair loss, acne, prostate management:

Oral 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (blocks T -> DHT conversion):

  • Finasteride -- 1mg/day (type II 5-AR inhibitor); does NOT block DHT-derivative compounds (Masteron, Primobolan, Anavar, Winstrol, Proviron); watch for libido/mood side effects (post-finasteride syndrome in a small minority)
  • Dutasteride -- 0.5mg/day (blocks BOTH type I and type II 5-AR); ~90%+ serum DHT reduction vs ~70% for finasteride; same sexual side effect caveat as finasteride

Topical / scalp-directed options (lower systemic exposure):

  • Topical Finasteride 0.25% -- compounded; reduces scalp DHT with minimal systemic absorption; preferred when sexual side effects occur on oral finasteride
  • Topical Dutasteride 0.1-0.25% -- compounded; stronger local 5-AR inhibition with reduced systemic exposure
  • Minoxidil -- 5% topical 2x/day; vasodilator-mediated hair regrowth; not an anti-androgen
  • Oral Minoxidil -- 1.25-5mg/day; growing evidence for systemic hair regrowth, often more effective than topical; monitor blood pressure and oedema; physician-supervised
  • Ketoconazole 2% shampoo -- 2-3x/week; mild anti-androgenic at scalp; low-risk adjunct
  • RU58841 / Pyrilutamide -- topical androgen receptor antagonists; research-chemical status in most jurisdictions

Important notes:

  • Blocking DHT can reduce libido and erection quality in some individuals
  • None of the 5-AR inhibitors work on DHT-derivative AAS -- the only intervention for androgenic sides from those compounds is dose reduction or discontinuation

When low

When low -- androgenic derivative therapy:

  • Low DHT with symptoms (weak erections, low libido) in men on TRT with normal total T usually signals over-aromatisation or high SHBG rather than a primary DHT deficit
  • DHT-derivative AAS are therapeutic in this context: low-dose Proviron (mesterolone) 25-50mg/day or a Masteron cruise component raises effective androgen tone without aromatising; excellent for libido/erection quality on TRT; physician-supervised

History Chart

Reading History

Frequently Asked Questions

Reference Ranges

Standard Range

0.4 - 2.5 nmol/L

Statistics