TLDR Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is crucial for conditions like male-pattern baldness and acne, and measuring a byproduct, androstanediol glucuronide, is a better way to assess DHT's effects than DHT blood levels.
In the 1988 paper by Richard Horton, MD, the importance of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in androgenic alopecia, hirsutism, and acne was emphasized, noting that DHT's formation from testosterone via the enzyme 5α-reductase in target tissues is key to androgenic effects. Blood levels of DHT were deemed unreliable markers for androgen action disorders, with androstanediol glucuronide (3α-diolG) suggested as a better indicator of peripheral DHT formation and 5α-reductase activity. The paper also discussed 5α-reductase deficiency, which leads to male pseudohermaphroditism and the absence of male-pattern balding, highlighting the significance of DHT in human physiology. Horton called for more research on DHT in skin during early hair loss stages for improved understanding and treatment of androgenetic alopecia. The paper did not mention the number of participants in studies, focusing instead on biochemical and physiological aspects.
57 citations,
May 1986 in “Clinics in endocrinology and metabolism” Androstanediol glucuronide is a reliable marker for hirsutism in women.
22 citations,
May 1986 in “Clinics in endocrinology and metabolism” Certain finger length ratios and body hair patterns may predict side effects from birth control pills in women.
142 citations,
February 1985 in “Fertility and sterility” Spironolactone reduced hair thickness and some testosterone levels in women with excessive hair growth.
23 citations,
May 1984 in “Journal of the American Geriatrics Society” Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia may be caused by changes in how the body processes male hormones.
179 citations,
May 1982 in “The Journal of clinical investigation/The journal of clinical investigation” High levels of 3 alpha-diol glucuronide in the blood are a marker of increased androgen action in women with excessive hair growth of unknown cause.
87 citations,
April 1973 in “Endocrinology” The chemicals 17βC and its methyl ester can block the effects of testosterone on hamster skin but not the effects of DHT.
1514 citations,
December 2011 in “Fertility and sterility” Experts agree that PCOS affects women's health in complex ways, but more research is needed to understand and treat it effectively.
22 citations,
March 2000 in “Clinics in Dermatology” Many treatments for hair loss lack proper testing and FDA approval, so their effectiveness is uncertain.
1 citations,
October 2017 in “Elsevier eBooks” Antiandrogens can treat female hormonal conditions, but environmental ones may harm reproductive health.
Hormonal treatments can help with hair loss, acne, and excess hair growth, but it takes 3-6 months to see results and patients should know the possible side effects.
124 citations,
July 2012 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” Targeting androgen receptors could be a promising way to treat skin disorders with fewer side effects.
9 citations,
January 1997 in “Gynecological Endocrinology” The document concludes that treating androgen excess needs patience, managing expectations is important, and many drugs used are not officially approved, suggesting cosmetic options for mild cases.
