5 Alpha DHT (Di-Hydrotestosterone)

5-ALPHA DHT-2:

CLINICAL INFORMATION :

DHT-2 is also called androstenedione is produced from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the body. It is said to be a direct testosterone precursor in the metabolic pathways from cholesterol. 

DHT is formed by the reduction of testosterone by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which has two isoforms. This enzyme 5-alpha reductase-2 has two isoforms and 5-alpha reductase-2 is the predominant isoenzyme present in genital tissue and in the prostate.  

DHT blood test is also known as Androstaner-3-one and Hydroxy- 5 Alpha. The enzyme 5-Alpha reductase present in the muscles converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and DHT is 5 times more potent than testosterone. Testosterone affects lean body tissue, muscle size, and sexual function in men. Usually, testosterone is bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and hence low levels of SHBG reflect high testosterone levels. Patients with genetic deficiency of the enzyme 5-Alpha reductase and also with patients taking 5-Alpha reductase inhibitor have a decreased level of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in serum and the symptoms for low DHT include loss of body hair, breast development (gynecomastia), decreased sexual desire or libido, increased weight gain. DHT serves as the primary marker of peripheral androgen production and has a key role in causing male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) and prostate problems. Low DHT hormone levels in the male population during puberty age are correlated with not being able to develop normal hair growth or experience normal sexual development. The high levels of DHT are directly proportional to the levels of testosterone hormone. High DHT hormone levels in the male population can lead to symptoms such as deepening of the voice, prostate enlargement, high sex drive, low sperm count, mood swings, enlarged penis, testis, and scrotum, shrinking of hair follicles, receding hair-line, hair loss at the temples and on the crown, thin and brittle hair that fall out faster, etc, and high levels of DHT in women can lead to Idiopathic Hirsutism and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and the symptoms are obesity, acne, irregular or absent or heavy menstrual periods, lack of ovulation and infertility.

Other tests include Radio-immunoassay, ELISA, etc.

General instructions:

Sample Requirement: Specimen - Blood sample drawn from the vein or urine specimen. Test Preparation: None.

NOTE - Sample for specimen collections may vary based on the patient’s condition/cases according to the patient’s presentingcomplaints / signs or symptoms:

SPECIMEN REQUIREMENT (Special or Rare Cases) - As instructed and guided by Physician / Clinician / Pathologist / as per Laboratory’s requirements, according to procedures and protocols.   

This Multi-Specialty Clinical Referral Laboratory “RTDIAGNOSTICS” provides precise and accurate tests with an extensive range of testing services to the medical centers to help in the diagnosis and identification of pathology in the test specimens for infectious diseases and also to evaluate the function of organ systems of the patient. It prevents further complications and helps to stabilize and restore health to near normalcy at the earliest without delay.