Dihydrotestosterone hormone DHT
natural blockers, hair loss, effect of
supplementation on bone mineral density by
Ray Sahelian, M.D.
June 17 2015
DHT dihydrotestosterone is an androgen from testosterone through the action
of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase,
whose concentrations are highest in
the peripheral tissues (genital skin and hair follicles). Dihydrotestosterone is
primarily responsible for the physical changes that occur during male sexual
maturation and is thought to be related to
sex drive as well as erectile
capabilities in men. In addition, dihydrotestosterone has been associated with
benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) and prostate cancer.
Bone density effect
Dehydroepiandrosterone replacement therapy in older adults: 1- and 2-y
effects on bone1,2,3
Am J Clin Nutr, 2009. Edward P Weiss, Krupa Shah, Luigi
Fontana, Charles P Lambert, John O Holloszy and Dennis T Villareal. From the
Division of Geriatrics and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Internal
Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO; the Department
of Nutrition and Dietetics, Saint Louis University, St Louis, MO; and the
Division of Food Science, Human Nutrition and Health, Istituto Superiore di
Sanitá, Rome, Italy.
The objective was to determine whether DHEA supplementation in older adults
improves BMD when co-administered with vitamin D and calcium. In year 1, a
randomized trial was conducted in which men and women aged
65–75 y took 50 mg/d oral DHEA supplements or placebo. In year 2, all
participants took open-label DHEA (50 mg/d). During both years, all participants
received vitamin D (16 µg/ day) and calcium (700 mg/ day) supplements. In men, no
difference between groups occurred in any BMD measures or in bone turnover
markers during year 1 or year 2. The free testosterone index and estradiol
increased in the DHEA group only. In women, spine BMD increased by 1.7% during
year 1 and by 3.6% after 2 y of supplementation in the DHEA group; however, in
the placebo group, spine BMD was unchanged during year 1 but increased to 2.6%
above baseline during year 2 after the crossover to DHEA. Hip BMD did not
change. Testosterone, estradiol, and insulin-like growth factor 1 increased in
the DHEA group only. In both groups, serum concentrations of bone turnover
markers decreased during year 1 and remained low during year 2, but did not
differ between groups. Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation in older women,
but not in men, improves spine BMD when co-administered with vitamin D and
calcium.
Dihydrotestosterone and hair loss
Male and female pattern hair loss is thought to be due to the effects of
dihydrotestosterone on genetically predisposed hair follicles. Binding of
dihydrotestosterone to the hair follicle results in gradual miniaturization of
the hair and eventual hair loss. Finasteride is a 5alpha-reductase inhibitor
approved for the treatment of male pattern hair loss. Originally approved for
the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy in 1992, its approval was expanded
in 1997 to include the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men at a dose of 1
mg/day. Finasteride inhibits 5alpha-reductase, thereby prohibiting the
conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, which is implicated in the
development of hairless in some men. Reduction in dihydrotestosterone results in
a significant improvement in subjective and objective assessments of hair growth
and density.
Natural and herbal dihydrotestosterone blockers
There are certain herbs that may be natural dihydrotestosterone blockers, but,
at this time, no long term studies have been done to determine if taking certain
herbs has an influence on hair growth. Saw palmetto may be a partial
dihydrotestosterone blocker in prostate tissue but it remains to be seen how
potent it is when taken as a dietary supplement.
Dihydrotestosterone versus testosterone - how are they
different?
Testosterone influences overt masculinization in the adult male, and
dihydrotestosterone influences prostatic growth, acne, facial beard, and male
pattern baldness. Inhibition of dihydrotestosterone in adults results in
prostatic shrinkage and symptomatic relief in many men, without the serious side
effects seen with conventional androgen-deprivation therapy.
Questions
Q. I take finasteride to block testosterone to
dihydrotestosterone. I have noticed my
libido has dropped a little.
Is this due to the dihydrotestosterone blocker use?
A. Most likely. Blocking the conversion of testosterone to
dihydrotestosterone does appear to negatively influence libido in some men.