Roll of DHT



What is DHT?

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an active metabolite of testosterone, which is found in the parts of male body like prostate gland, testes, adrenal glands and hair follicles .

Majorly being a converted form of free testosterone in the male body, DHT is formed when the free testosterone is worked upon by an enzyme called 5alpha reductase, which is commonly found in places like the male prostrates and the hair follicles.

Dihydrotestosterone is an androgenic hormone and controls the development of the male or musculine characteristics.

Quick Facts About DHT

  • DHT is responsible for about 95% of hair loss.
  • DHT moves to create a wax like substance around the hair roots on scalp and it is this accumulation of DHT in the hair follicles and roots that increases male and female pattern hair loss.
  • DHT is 3 times more potent than testosterone.
  • DHT is the primary contributing factor in male-pattern baldness.
  • DHT stands for Dihydrotestosterone, a hormone formed when the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase interacts with testosterone.
  • In men, herbs such as saw palmetto and licorice root help to block the formation of DHT.
  • When female enter menopause, level of estrogen in their body decline and testosterone level increases to be converted in to DHT.
  • Hair follicles need a certain amount of blood flow in order to grow. It may cause less blood flow to the follicles.
  • It’s known that the main androgen secreted by the testes is of course testosterone. However it is the fact that, in most of the body, the androgenic signal is not carried through by testosterone. In these tissues, which include the brain (CNS), skin, genitals—practically everything but muscle—the active androgen is DHT.

However, anexcess of DHT in body can lead to several health related issues like prostrate cancer and balding in males. Though less common in females, the DHT is often a cause of concern amongst males between ages 50 and above. This condition of balding which occurs due to the excess of DHT is called as Male Pattern Baldness.

Scientists believe that tap water can also cause hair loss, calcium which is present in tap water can convert testosterone in to DHT which can disrupts normal hair growth cycles.

This occirs when this converted compound, DHT, starts having adverse effects on the hair follicles, making them shrink in size and increasing the hair fall incidences in return.

There are several medications in the market at present which claim to be able to treat the excess levels of Dihydrotestosterone effectively. Some of these medications use inhibitor enzymes like finasteride, dutasteride and go by the names Proscar, Avodart and Propecia. One other type of compound, which has been researched a lot upon, despite the many speculations, is Saw Palmetto.