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Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a potent androgen hormone formed when the enzyme 5-alpha reductase converts testosterone in tissues such as the skin, hair follicles and prostate. It helps drive the development of male characteristics, including facial and body hair, and supports prostate growth. Measuring DHT gives an insight into androgen activity in the body and can help investigate concerns such as male pattern hair loss, prostate enlargement, acne, excess hair growth and wider hormone imbalance in both men and women. Results are best interpreted alongside other hormone markers, such as testosterone and SHBG, and against the laboratory’s reference range.
The Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) Blood Test measures the amount of DHT circulating in your blood. DHT is one of the body's most potent androgens. It is made from testosterone by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, mainly in the skin, hair follicles and prostate.
Because DHT acts so strongly on these tissues, a DHT test can show androgen activity that a testosterone test alone may miss. It is most often used by people looking into hair loss, checking their levels before or during finasteride or dutasteride treatment, or investigating skin and prostate-related concerns.
DHT drives many male characteristics, including facial and body hair growth at puberty and the development of the prostate. In adulthood it continues to act on hair follicles, the oil glands in the skin and prostate tissue.
Women also produce small amounts of DHT. In both men and women, DHT levels that are higher or lower than expected can be linked to a range of symptoms, which is why DHT is usually read alongside other hormone results.
DHT is closely linked to male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). In people whose hair follicles are sensitive to DHT, the hormone gradually shrinks the follicles, so hair grows thinner and shorter over time.
A DHT blood test measures the DHT in your bloodstream, not inside the scalp itself. Some people with normal blood DHT still lose hair because their follicles are more sensitive to it. That means a blood test cannot diagnose the cause of hair loss on its own, but it is a useful part of the picture, especially when you are starting or reviewing treatment.
Finasteride and dutasteride work by blocking 5-alpha reductase, which lowers the amount of DHT the body makes. Many people choose to:
Do not stop prescribed treatment to take this test unless your prescriber advises it. If you want to see the effect of your treatment, test while taking it as normal and tell us what you take when you book.
DHT is a specialist test that NHS laboratories usually send to a specialist referral laboratory. On the NHS it is mainly requested for specific clinical reasons, such as investigating certain hormone conditions, rather than for hair loss alone. Many people therefore find their GP will not routinely request it.
A private DHT blood test lets you check your levels without needing a referral. Your results can still be shared with your GP or specialist if you would like them to review them.
A DHT blood test may be useful if you:
There is no single normal DHT level for everyone. Expected levels differ between men and women, can change with age, and each laboratory uses its own reference range. Your result will be shown against the range used by the laboratory that tested your sample.
A DHT result is most meaningful when read alongside your symptoms, medical history, any treatment you take and other hormone markers such as total testosterone, free testosterone and SHBG. We recommend discussing your results with your GP or another healthcare professional, especially if your result falls outside the reference range.
DHT is a single biomarker. If you would like a broader view of your hormones and general health, take a look at our Ultimate Men's Health Blood Test.
A blood test does not replace medical advice. Speak to your GP or seek medical help, even if your results are normal, if you have:
A DHT blood test measures the level of dihydrotestosterone in your blood. DHT is a powerful androgen hormone made from testosterone, and measuring it helps assess androgen activity in the body.
It is commonly used to help investigate male pattern hair loss, hormone-related acne, excess hair growth, prostate-related concerns and wider hormone imbalance. It is also used to check DHT levels before and during finasteride or dutasteride treatment.
DHT testing on the NHS is usually reserved for specific clinical reasons and is sent to a specialist laboratory, so GPs do not routinely request it for hair loss. A private DHT blood test lets you check your levels without a referral, and you can share the results with your GP.
A blood test shows how much DHT is in your bloodstream, but it cannot confirm on its own that DHT is causing hair loss. Hair follicle sensitivity to DHT also plays a part, so results are best reviewed with your symptoms and other hormone markers by a healthcare professional.
Many people take a baseline DHT test before starting finasteride or dutasteride, then repeat it after a few months on treatment. Comparing the two results shows how much your DHT has fallen while on treatment.
Do not stop prescribed treatment unless your prescriber advises it. If you want to see how well your treatment is lowering DHT, test while taking it as normal and tell us about your medication when you book.
Not directly. A blood test measures DHT circulating in your body, while hair loss depends on DHT activity in the scalp and how sensitive your follicles are to it. Blood DHT is still a useful guide to overall androgen activity and to the effect of DHT-lowering treatment.
Normal DHT levels differ between men and women, can change with age and vary between laboratories. Your result will be compared with the reference range used by the laboratory that tested your sample, so there is no single number that applies to everyone.
DHT is a specialist hormone test that is usually analysed by a specialist laboratory rather than as part of routine testing, so results can take longer than common blood tests. Your expected turnaround is confirmed when you book.
Fasting is not normally needed for a DHT blood test. A morning appointment is recommended where possible, because androgen levels are usually highest in the morning.
Yes. Women produce small amounts of DHT, and testing can help when looking into symptoms such as excess facial or body hair, hormone-related acne or thinning hair.
No. A testosterone test measures testosterone, while a DHT test measures dihydrotestosterone, a more potent hormone made from testosterone. The two are often reviewed together, along with SHBG, for a clearer picture of androgen levels.
A trained phlebotomist takes a small venous blood sample from a vein in your arm. The sample is then sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis.
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