Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
See references
Category
Compound type
Phase / Status
Endogenous hormone
Standard Dose
As directed
Half-life
Plasma elimination
Route(s)
Oral, Injectable or Topical
Research Stage
Research phase not specified; exercise appropriate caution.
Overview
DHT is one of the main hormones responsible for androgen effects in the skin and hair follicles, including male-pattern hair changes in susceptible people. It also plays a role in prostate and other androgen-responsive tissues. Supplement and research products that increase DHT activity may be more concerning for people with acne, hair-loss risk, or prostate-related issues—effects vary by individual.
Plain-language summary
DHT is one of the main hormones responsible for androgen effects in the skin and hair follicles, including male-pattern hair changes in susceptible people. It also plays a role in prostate and other androgen-responsive tissues. Supplement and research products that increase DHT activity may be more concerning for people with acne, hair-loss risk, or prostate-related issues—effects vary by individual.
Administration Routes
- Oral
- Injectable
- Topical
Also known as
Mechanisms
Androgen hormone formed from testosterone (5α-reduction) that binds the androgen receptor
Detailed mechanism
DHT is produced from testosterone via 5-alpha-reductase. It binds the androgen receptor with high potency and drives gene-expression changes in androgen-responsive tissues, which helps explain its link to hair follicle androgen effects and prostate androgen signaling.
Safety
Side effects
- Androgen-related hair changes in susceptible individuals
- Acne or oily skin
- Potential prostate-related symptoms in vulnerable people
- Libido, mood, or sexual-function changes (individual variability)
Reported benefits
- Body hair growth
- Prostate health
- Sexual function
Safety profile
Consult medical professional before use
Clinical trials
See research status
Structure
Verified structure
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
Exact 2D structure can be rendered from a PubChem-backed canonical SMILES string.
- Chemical Formula
- C19H30O2
- Molecular Weight
- 290.4 g/mol
- CAS Number
- 521-18-6
- InChIKey
- NVKAWKQGWWIWPM-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Stack Context
No stack data available.
References
- 1View source
Steroid 5alpha-reductase deficiency in man: an inherited form of male pseudohermaphroditism (Science)
1974
- 2View source
Tissue content of dihydrotestosterone in human prostatic hyperplasia is not supranormal (J Clin Invest)
1983
- 3View source
Tissue distribution and ontogeny of steroid 5-alpha reductase isozyme expression (J Clin Invest)
1993
This profile summarizes research literature for education only. It is not medical advice, and it does not diagnose, treat, or recommend a dose. Consult a qualified professional before changing a protocol.