DHT

The dihydrotestosterone blood test is used to measure the dihydrotestosterone levels in the blood. This helps in diagnosing prostate related problems and male pattern hair loss.

What is Dihydrotestosterone?

Dihydrotestosterone is also known as 5ɑ-Dihydrotestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone is a byproduct of the male testosterone and belongs to the class of compounds called androgens. These are most commonly called as testoids or androgenic hormones. This hormone is considered as the important androgenic hormone. It is mostly formed in the hair follicles, prostate gland, and adrenal gland. This helps in the development of the male characteristics in the puberty. This hormone plays a role in causing prostate problems and male pattern hair loss. It also plays a role in virilization. Virilization is a condition in which a female develops male characteristics like male pattern hair growth and other masculine physical traits.

Why this test is recommended?

This test may be recommended to detect the reason for the baldness or to detect any prostate related problems. This test is performed if you are suspected to have prostate cancer. If you experience the prostate cancer symptoms like burning during urination accompanied by pain, difficulty to urinate, increased frequency in the urination, loss of bladder control, urge to urinate more at night, trouble to start or to stop urine, blood in urine, etc then this test may be recommended.

If your test results are higher than the normal reference range then it indicates high levels of dihydrotestosterone in the blood.

If your test results are lower than the normal reference range then it indicates low levels of dihydrotestosterone in the blood.

However, consult your doctor immediately after receiving your lab reports for further details.