Dihydrotestosterone, the substance hidden under the abbreviation DHT, is one of the most important sex hormones. It is he who determines the formation of the scrotum and penis in male fetuses. The condition of the body hair in both sexes depends on the concentration of this substance. In what situations is the level of this hormone tested? What does a deficiency mean, and what does an excess of dihydrotestosterone mean?

Contents:

  1. Dihydrotestosterone - meaning and functions
  2. Dihydrotestosterone - role in the body
  3. Too high level of dihydrotestosterone
  4. Dihydrotestosterone deficiency associated with birth defects
  5. Dihydrotestosterone - dihydrotestosterone level tests

Dihydrotestosterone( DHT ) is a sex steroid hormone produced by our bodies. It belongs to the group of androgens. Its action determines the male characteristics of the body. However, this substance is present in the organisms of both sexes.

Other terms for dihydrotestosterone are:

  • DHT
  • 5α-dihydrotestosterone
  • stanolon
  • Androstanolonum (Latin)

Dihydrotestosterone is a hormone formed when testosterone is converted into a more active form. This transformation is carried out by the enzyme alpha-reductase.

Compared to testosterone, DHT has a much stronger effect on androgen receptors. It is estimated that dihydrotestosterone exerts a three times more intense effect on tissues than its precursor. It is he who is responsible for most of the effects of the local masculinizing hormones.

Dihydrotestosterone plays a leading role in the development of male sexual organs in fetuses.

In the human body, dihydrotestosterone is formed from testosterone within:

  • prostate
  • seminal vesicles
  • najedrzy
  • skins
  • hair follicle
  • liver
  • brain

Dihydrotestosterone - meaning and functions

Dihydrotestosterone is responsible for the embryonic development of the external genitalia. In male fetuses, it determines the development of the penis and scrotum.

Other important functions of DHT in the body:

  • proper prostate function
  • sex drive
  • maintaining distinctive third-order male sex characteristics, such ashair
  • conditioning higher muscle strength

Excess DHT is responsible for male pattern baldness. Its concentration is also associated with the occurrence of prostate enlargement. High levels of dihydrotestosterone are a factor that stimulates the development of prostate cancer.

Since both head hair loss and prostate disorders are associated with high testosterone levels, alopecia may be a signal of an increased risk of an enlarged prostate gland.

Dihydrotesterone is used in some countries as a drug used in men when the level of sex hormones is too low.

This hormone is also used as illegal doping. This use has many negative he alth consequences.

Dihydrotestosterone - role in the body

Dihydrotestosterone is an important hormone conditioning the sexual differentiation of male reproductive organs during embryogenesis. It also determines the enlargement of the penis and scrotum in adolescence.

DHT is responsible for male external sexual characteristics such as facial hair and body hair. However, this hormone is not only responsible for conditioning the external features that characterize the male sex.

The development and proper functioning of the prostate and seminal vesicles depend on the activity of dihydrotestosterone.

DHT is primarily a tissue hormone that acts where it is made from testosterone. A very small percentage of the dihydrotestosterone present in the body circulates in the bloodstream.

The hormone conditioning male characteristics that travels through the blood is testosterone. When this substance reaches the target tissues, it is transformed into DHT under the action of an appropriate enzyme.

Dihydrotestosterone levels in different areas of the body vary significantly. The local concentration of DHT in tissues with high 5α-reductase activity may be even 10 times higher than that of testosterone. Such an area is, for example, the prostate gland. In the case of blood, testosterone levels are many times higher than dihydrotestosterone.

Too high level of dihydrotestosterone

High levels of dihydrotestosterone lead to androgenetic alopecia in men. This is a characteristic type of hair loss. In his case, the temples go bald at first, then the top of the head.

In women, high levels of DHT can lead to hirsutism, the appearance of male body hair. Unusual male hair may appear on:

  • face
  • breasts
  • belly
  • back

Excessive hair: causes and treatment

WAPLE to remove, or how to DEPILE the delicate area of ​​the face

Hair on the breasts. Why does breast hair grow? How do I remove them?

Dihydrotestosterone deficiency associated with birth defects

Congenital 5α-reductase deficiency leads to a deficiency of dihydrotestosterone. This enzyme is responsible for converting testosterone into DHT. In this disorder, testosterone levels are above normal, while dihydrotestosterone levels are very low. This concentration is three times lower than the normal result for men.

The consequence of this situation is pseudohermaphroditism in children with this genetic defect. This means that there are ambiguous genitals. They are externally similar to the female ones.

Usually there is an incompletely developed vagina and a small clitoral-like phallus. The testicles do not descend and are therefore invisible.

Due to the lack of visible male genitalia, boys with this condition are usually raised as girls. However, they develop secondary male sexual characteristics during adolescence. There is also an enlargement of the phallus and the descent of the testicles, a deepening of the voice, as well as the typical male-musculoskeletal development.

What determines a person's gender?

Gender types: chromosomal, gonadal, somatic and metabolic sex

Dihydrotestosterone - dihydrotestosterone level tests

The test of DHT concentration is performed in the case of:

  • androgenic alopecia in men
  • hirsutyzmu in women
  • infertility
  • hypogonadism
  • monitoring the course of androgen replacement therapy
  • control of therapy with drugs that affect the activity of 5-alpha-reductase (substances used in the treatment of prostate cancer)
  • testicular tumors
  • suspicions of polycystic ovary syndrome
  • menstrual disorders
  • gender ambiguity in the child
  • acne in women

The test is performed on a fasting blood sample from the patient.

TESTOSTERONE - level test. Norm, excess, deficiency

Testosterone treatment: indications and side effects

About the authorSara Janowska, MA in pharmacyPhD student of interdisciplinary doctoral studies in the field of pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences at the Medical University of Lublin and the Institute of Biotechnology in Białystok.Medical University of Lublin with a specialization in Plant Medicine. She obtained a master's degree defending a thesis in the field of pharmaceutical botany on the antioxidant properties of extracts obtained from twenty species of mosses. Currently, in his research work, he deals with the synthesis of new anti-cancer substances and the study of their properties on cancer cell lines. For two years she worked as a master of pharmacy in an open pharmacy.

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