{"id":21655,"date":"2024-05-08T10:45:27","date_gmt":"2024-05-08T14:45:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wowrxpharmacy.com\/blog\/uncategorized\/dht\/"},"modified":"2024-07-31T03:36:46","modified_gmt":"2024-07-31T07:36:46","slug":"dht","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wowrxpharmacy.com\/it\/blog\/hair-loss\/dht\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding the Role of DHT: Functions, Effects, and Treatment Options"},"content":{"rendered":"

DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) is an androgen or sex hormone that plays a crucial role in developing male characteristics in those individuals assigned males at birth. 

DHT is considered to be around 5 times more powerful than another androgen\u2014testosterone.

DHT helps develop male reproductive organs like the penis, scrotum, and prostate.

The role of this hormone changes according to the individual’s age, from the fetus to adulthood.

But, DHT<\/a> doesn’t affect the individuals assigned females at birth, apart from the development of body and pubic hair.

Understanding the role of DHT in the human body shows the intricate processes involved in sexual development and how to maintain hormone balance for overall health and well-being.

In this article, you can learn about the hormone DHT, its role, and the effects its absence or abundance can cause.<\/p>\n\n\n

How is DHT formed?<\/h2>\n\n\n
\"damaged
Damaged follicles hair<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5-alpha-reduction is the process by which Dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, is made<\/a>.

The Testosterone is converted to DHT in specific body tissues, such as the prostate gland, hair follicles, and skin.

The critical component in the process is an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase.

There are two types of 5-alpha-reductase<\/a> enzymes: type 1 and type 2. These enzymes convert Testosterone into DHT, produced in the testes and adrenal glands.

When Testosterone reaches the target tissues, it interacts with the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme. 

The enzyme changes the chemical structure of Testosterone by removing a specific molecular group, and DHT is formed.

The development of various male characteristics and physiological processes influenced by DHT depends on this conversion process.

It’s important to remember that while DHT is made from Testosterone, it can also be made in some tissues using different metabolic pathways.

 But, 5-alpha-reductase enzymes convert Testosterone into most DHT in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n

What is the function of DHT?<\/h2>\n\n\n

Dihydrotestosterone is essential for developing and functioning in people assigned to males at birth. Its effects vary as they go through various stages<\/a> of life.<\/p>\n\n\n

Prenatal or before birth<\/h3>\n\n\n

During prenatal development, DHT is essential for forming male genitals such as the penis, scrotum, and prostate.

Secondo un study<\/a>, around the 60th day of prenatal development, the cells in the testes\u2014Leydig cells produce Testosterone with the help of a hormone called placental human chorionic gonadotropin.

Then in the 16th week, another hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH)<\/a> starts producing Testosterone.

This Testosterone is converted to DHT, helping develop male reproductive organs.
To help move down the scrotum, DHT works with another hormone called INSL3 (insulin-like factor 3).

Without enough DHT, these parts may not form properly, leading to unclear male genitalia. 

Hormones produced by the testes and placenta control the levels of other hormones, such as follicle-stimulating hormones, luteinizing hormones, and many more.

These hormones ensure the right development happens.<\/p>\n\n\n

Childhood or after birth<\/h3>\n\n\n

After a baby is born, there is a shift in hormone levels for both boys and girls. In boys, this hormone shift increases Testosterone, increasing Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels.

A stage known as adrenarche<\/a> begins in both boys and girls around the age of six. The zona reticularis, a specific region of the adrenal gland, begins to develop during adrenarche.

The newly formed zone produces and releases androgens, including Testosterone. 

The increase in Testosterone contributes to the development of various glands in the body, such as the sebaceous glands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IL sebaceous glands<\/a> are responsible for oily skin, and the apocrine glands that form the body odor. Additionally, minor acne may appear during this stage.<\/p>\n\n\n

Fatto:<\/div>
By age 10, enough Testosterone in the body is converted into DHT. This increased level of DHT in the body leads to the growth of pubic hair. <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

Puberty<\/h3>\n\n\n

During puberty, the luteinizing hormone, released from the pituitary gland, produces Testosterone from the testes.

This Testosterone is then converted to DHT in specific tissues.

In puberty, DHT develops the penis, scrotum, and hair on the face, body, and genitals.

DHT levels are ten times greater<\/a> in the blood than testosterone. It has a more prominent effect because it is produced in specific tissues.

Tissues such as the prostate gland, hair follicles, and skin.<\/p>\n\n\n

Adult<\/h3>\n\n\n
\"Male-Pattern-Baldness\"
A man with Pattern Baldness<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In adults, DHT doesn’t impact the body’s normal functioning. But, it has two effects<\/a> as people age. 

One is prostate enlargement, and the other is Male Pattern Baldness<\/a>.

Prostate enlargement can cause urinary problems, and male pattern hair loss leads to thinning or loss of hair<\/a> on the scalp.<\/p>\n\n\n

Effects of low DHT level<\/h2>\n\n\n

Some conditions or problems happen when DHT levels are low. Some of them are:<\/p>\n\n\n

5-alpha-reductase deficiency<\/h3>\n\n\n

5-alpha-reductase deficiency happens when the body doesn’t produce enough DHT enzymes. This deficiency occurs due to a specific gene mutation<\/a>.

In males, this causes the genitals to don’t develop fully, and their prostate gland is small or absent. 

In serious cases, they may have external genitalia resembling a female’s.

Testosterone and another hormone called AMH<\/a> are produced, which helps develop certain organs.

But, the testes don’t come down properly because of the lack of DHT. They also have less facial hair, and pubic hair grows like females. Additionally, the prostate doesn’t develop normally.

Female development is not affected by this deficiency, although there may be less body hair and a slight decrease in pubic hair.<\/p>\n\n\n

DHT and low testosterone<\/h3>\n\n\n

When your body doesn’t produce enough Testosterone, it can lead to male hypogonadism.

In male hypogonadism, the body does not produce<\/a> enough Testosterone. 

This can happen in two ways: from birth or later in life.

Low testosterone levels mean your body will also have lower levels of DHT. This can cause various problems<\/a> depending on your age.<\/p>\n\n\n

Effects of high DHT level<\/h2>\n\n\n

Certain health conditions can happen when the levels are high, such as<\/p>\n\n\n

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)<\/h3>\n\n\n

It is a condition<\/a> where the prostate gland, located in men, grows more than usual.

In BPH, the increased production of DHT<\/a> leads to prostate enlargement. 

More than half of men over 50 have BPH. This leads to problems<\/a> like difficulty urinating and sexual dysfunction.

You can manage BPH with medication or surgery, if necessary. Men need to get regular prostate exams to check for any changes in the size or function of the gland.<\/p>\n\n\n

Prostate cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n

This cancer affects the prostate gland in men. 

UN study<\/a> shows that the increase in DHT levels happens because of changes in genes that control the production of DHT.

These changes in the genes lead to uncontrolled cell growth and death of the cell.

Another factor is mutations in the androgen receptor, which interacts with DHT.<\/p>\n\n\n

Avvertimento:<\/div>
Prostate Cancer is a potentially life-threatening disease that can develop without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Be vigilant and aware of the warning signs, such as frequent urination, difficulty starting or stopping urine flow, and blood in the urine or semen. <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

Male Androgenic Alopecia (MAA)<\/h3>\n\n\n
\"Androgenetic
Androgenetic Alopecia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

IL increased level<\/a> of DHT also results in Male Androgenic Alopecia<\/a>. In this condition, men experience progressive hair loss on the top and front of their scalps.

It is also called male pattern hair loss. Men suffering from pattern baldness have higher levels of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme.

Hair alopecia is also a genetic condition<\/a>, so a person is more prone to hair loss if someone in his family has had it.<\/p>\n\n\n

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)<\/h3>\n\n\n

Though DHT doesn’t affect women’s bodies or processes much.

Esso pu\u00f2 causare<\/a> a common condition called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It happens when the ovaries produce excess androgens, including Testosterone, leading to increased DHT levels<\/a>.

Increased DHT levels lead to hormone imbalance which causes symptoms like increased body weight, irregular periods, excessive hair growth, and acne.<\/p>\n\n\n

Treatment of DHT levels<\/h2>\n\n\n

There are many medications and methods to maintain DHT balance<\/a>.

The following treatments and cures are for the medical conditions caused by the imbalance of DHT levels in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n

5-alpha-reductase deficiency<\/h3>\n\n\n

To increase the level of DHT enzyme in the body, the following methods can be used:<\/p>\n\n\n\n