Unveiling the Secrets: What Causes DHT to Increase?
Are you worried about DHT-related hair loss and want to know what causes DHT to increase?
Well, you are at the right place.
This article will highlight the causes of DHT increase in the body.
Dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, is a derivative of the male hormone Testosterone.
The rise in Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) might be due to age, genetics, or poor diet.
As a result, it can lead to hair fall in men and women.
Therefore, it is crucial to understand the factors contributing to DHT hair loss.
So, let’s dive deep into the topic and explore it.
What increases DHT in the scalp
A few of the well-known causes of DHT increase in the scalp include,
Age
While Testosterone declines with age, Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels tend to stay the same or even rise.
Reason being the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase becomes increasingly active in the body as we age.
5-alpha-reductase enzyme is accountable for converting Testosterone to DHT.
As a result, older men tend to possess higher DHT levels on their scalp.
Researchers have also found that men with Androgenetic Alopecia (male pattern baldness) had higher DHT than their non-affected peers.
They also have an abundance of Androgen Receptors (AR) in the scalp.
These androgen receptors play a crucial role in the regulation of hair follicles.
Genetics
Androgenetic Alopecia is a hereditary condition.
It means if someone from your maternal or paternal side has experienced male pattern baldness, you might also experience it.
This clearly states that increasing DHT levels might lead to hair fall if you’re genetically sensitive to DHT.
Poor diet
A high-sugar diet can increase ovarian androgen production.
This increase hinders the liver’s ability to produce,
- Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
- Type 1 protein bonding insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1)
Therefore, a rise in DHT concentration causes hair follicles to shrink and promotes hair fall.
Excess fatty acids can also produce a subsequent rise in sebum secretion, contributing to Keratinization and its related conditions.
Smoking
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 8 million lives are lost annually due to tobacco use.
The nicotine content in tobacco can impair hair growth by causing oxidative stress.
This stress increases DHT production and impairs the scalp’s ability to support healthy cell renewal.
In addition to that, smoking can affect the immune response and disrupt blood flow to hair follicles.
It is also associated with endocrine diseases like diabetes, which is known to cause hair fall.
Moreover, if you are a chain smoker, high nicotine levels might increase your cortisol levels.
This will degrade the compounds necessary for the development of hair follicles.
Conclusion
There are several potential causes for elevated levels of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
High DHT levels can develop due to aging, heredity, poor nutrition, and smoking.
Learning what triggers DHT growth will allow doctors to find more effective remedies.
To further understand potential preventative and therapeutic measures, more study is required.
Always check with your doctor if you are facing a sudden hair fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes high levels of DHT in the body?
The enzyme 5-alpha-reductase is principally responsible for the elevated amounts of DHT in the body by converting Testosterone into DHT. Several factors, including hormonal disproportion, heredity, poor diet, and aging, can cause high levels of DHT.
What triggers DHT production?
The enzyme 5-alpha-reductase is responsible for the conversion of Testosterone to DHT. Increased levels of DHT are produced when the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase is activated, which can be caused by hormonal imbalances, genetics, aging, and certain medical diseases.
At what age does DHT increase?
DHT levels rise between 12 and 14 in most boys and young men. This increase in DHT production is linked to the appearance of secondary sexual traits like beards, deeper voices, and fuller genitalia.
How do I reduce DHT in my scalp?
There are several methods available for lowering scalp DHT levels. The best options are oral drugs like Finasteride or Dutasteride, which inhibit 5-alpha-reductase enzymes. If you want individualized advice, it’s best to visit a doctor.