Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) - The king of androgens

It's common to come across claims in popular journals and online articles that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the primary cause of a variety of issues that men may experience. According to these sources, high levels of DHT can induce hair loss, oily skin, balding, and prostate problems. It's even said that DHT activity can be highly carcinogenic, and therefore all men should use finasteride or other DHT blockers. Obviously, most of these claims are misleading and lack credibility. In fact, the recent research on DHT reveal different findings, such as that increasing DHT simultaneously with melatonin can be one of the best strategies for treating prostatilis. Surprised? There's very little truth in popular beliefs and many misleading statements, which persuade many men to use finasteride and directly deprive themselves of manliness. It's important to ask ourselves why we don't investigate these claims before blindly accepting them as truth? Just a rhetorical question.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) - the king of androgens. Sex hormone derived from testosterone via the activity of 5α reductase enzyme (testosterone to dihydrotestosterone conversion). DHT is responsible for body and brain masculinization and plays an essential role during puberty. Its activity differentiates an embryo into a male, eventually making boys become men. DHT is responsible for the development of male primary and secondary sex characteristics (penis, testes, and scrotum growth / body and facial hair growth, voice deepening, muscle strength. etc.) as well as optimization of libido, erectile functions, well-being, cognitive functions, bone growth, and inhibiting excessive activity of cortisol and estrogen.

DHT has a positive influence on:

- cognitive functions
- muscle growth and strength
- central nervous system (prevention thanks to high affinity to AR. That is one of the reasons why all DHT-derivatives are one of the strongest AAS when it comes to powerlifting)
- brain masculinization
- intelligence
- well-being
- sexual functions (erection, sex drive, penis growth during puberty)
- cardiovascular health (surprised?)
- bone growth
- depression (prevents its development and counters its symptoms)
- estrogen, preventing its excessive activity by blocking the hormone binding to estrogen receptors as well as inhibiting testosterone to estrogen conversion

Interesting fact: While examining my students using EEG, a doctor of medicine with whom I cooperate discovered an exciting connection between drostanolone (Masteron) and the SMR brain wave (sensorimotor rhythm). Masteron injections can increase the activity of the SMR brain wave, which indicates a high concentration level and is associated with intelligence.

Low DHT concentrations in the body may:

- cause erectile dysfunction
- worsen body fat distribution (more of the fat will stay around the belly)
- increase the risk of developing prostate tumor (again, surprised?)
- trigger hair loss in women
- increase estrogen activity
- be an indirect cause of gynecomastia
- worsen libido
- worsen sexual development during puberty

Of course, excessive DHT activity may, indeed, induce adverse effects:
- acne
- dry skin and mouth
- higher blood pressure
- accelerated hair loss (depending upon genetic predispositions)
- prolonged spontaneous erections

How to increase DHT levels?

DHT can be increased by the intake of:
- zinc
- caffeine
- Tribulus Terrestris
- Tongkat Ali
- dietary fat 

What reduces DHT levels?
- saw palmetto
- lion's mane
- 5a reductase blockers (finasterides/dutasterides)
- curcumin
- soy
- green tea
- PUFAs
- berberine
- black pepper

Remember:

- Balding is determined by genetics, specifically the responsiveness of androgen receptors in the dermal papilla of hair follicles. While reducing DHT levels may potentially delay hair loss, it may not be effective for everyone. Unfortunately, if balding is coded in your genes, there may not be many options for prevention except for hair implantation. Furthermore, it's essential to consider that other endocrine disturbances such as low testosterone, high estrogen, prolactin, and cortisol are also among the leading factors for balding. DHT itself is never the culprit.

- Low DHT levels may lead to prostate tumor development.

- Indeed, high DHT may promote the growth of the prostate gland, but ONLY IF the estrogen levels are high in relation to DHT. There is a strict correlation between these two hormones.