Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)

The potent androgen that drives pattern hair loss and prostate growth.

Last reviewedJune 16, 2026

Serum

sample type

~5 mL

blood needed

~7 days

results in app

Morning preferred

best timing

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On this page

Why test Reference ranges What you'll learn What affects it How testing works Sources FAQ

In short

Dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, is a potent androgen the body makes from testosterone using the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. It is several times stronger than testosterone at the receptor and acts mainly in the skin, hair follicles, and prostate.

Sex Hormones & Fertility

Reviewed against DGKL reference practice.

Why test this?

DHT is tested when androgen activity seems out of step with testosterone, for example in male-pattern hair loss, body and facial hair changes, or when a 5-alpha-reductase issue is suspected. It also relates to prostate growth in men.

High DHT can drive scalp hair loss and unwanted hair growth. Low DHT, despite normal testosterone, can point to reduced 5-alpha-reductase activity, which affects genital development and body hair.

What is a normal result?

Aniva reads your result against research-backed ranges, not just the lab's wide normal. The reference shown below is specific to this biomarker.

Adult reference values as used by Aniva. Ranges are guidance and can vary by laboratory and method.

Group	Normal range
Women, age 18 to 52	2.6 to 26.4 ng/dL
Women, age from 53	1.7 to 12.4 ng/dL

Sources: Shiraishi LC-MS/MS DHT study 2008, 2024 JCEM postmenopausal DHT controls

Your Aniva report reads your result against these values together with your age, sex and the rest of your panel.

Ranges are guidance and vary by lab and assay, aligned with DGKL practice. Always read your result against your own lab's reference interval.

What insights will this test give you?

Your result, read with testosterone, shows how strongly your body is converting testosterone into its most active androgen. It adds context for hair, skin, and, in men, prostate concerns.

What can affect this result?

What can skew the result

Medicines that block 5-alpha-reductase, such as finasteride and dutasteride, lower DHT. Standard immunoassays can be less reliable at low levels, so a sensitive method is preferred. High-dose biotin supplements can interfere with certain assays.

Best interpreted with

Best read together with total testosterone, and sometimes the testosterone to DHT ratio, plus SHBG.

How is this tested?

Sample

Serum

Blood needed

~5 mL

Method

Immunoassay

Best timing

Morning preferred

Sources. The evidence behind this

LOINC 1848-1, Androstanolone (DHT) in serum or plasma

Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Dihydrotestosterone

Endocrine Society, patient resources

Common questions

Which Aniva panels include this marker?

Hair Loss

This test measures DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), the key hormone driving pattern hair loss.