5 Alpha Dihydrotestosterone Test

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone is an androgenic hormone responsible for the development of sexual organs before birth in males and secondary sexual characters like the growth of facial hair, high blood pressure, hair loss from the temple and crown, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and increase in libido. In females, an increased level of DHT may result in the development of facial hairs, acne, abnormal changes in the genital organ, and amenorrhoea. A blood test can be a procedure to measure the level of DHT. The increased DHT level is the main cause of idiopathic hirsutism in about 40% of patients and polycystic ovarian syndrome in 35% women patient.

The patient needs no special preparation like fasting. Take the regular diet. If someone is going under medication, check for the steroid composition in the medicine. Consult with your health practitioner before going for the test. The steroids interfere with the proper result of the test, hence take the medicines well before approximately 2 hours prior to DHT investigation. If someone is allergic to anything, let the doctor know. He may give detailed advice depending on the patient’s actual condition. Wear a comfortable, short sleeved shirt so that the lab technician may tie a band to the arm and collect blood samples.

• The test is used in monitoring Prostate cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor therapy
• The test is used to diagnose the reasons for delay or premature (precocious) puberty in boys.
• A reduced libido in men and women can be investigated with the 5-Alpha-Dihydrotestosterone test.
• Though there are many reasons for infertility, 5-Alpha-Dihydrotestosterone test is performed to validate infertility.
• It is used to evaluate erectile dysfunction in men.
• The 5-Alpha-Dihydrotestosterone test is used to speculate Hirsutism and virilization in girls and women.
• In case of Hypothalamus or pituitary disorders, the test is an imperative.
• A potential deficiency of 5 alpha-reductase can be evaluated by this test.

5-Alpha-Dihydrotestosterone can be examined either by blood or urine.
• For testing DHT level, a sample of blood taken from the veins or urine is stored in a glass bottle.
• It is centrifuged to separate serum and refrigerated.
• The skilled eyes of lab technicians test the serum.
• In case of identifying 5-Alpha-Dihydrotestosterone doping in male sportsperson, the required test is conducted with the urine sample.