Importance of DHT and SHBG?

[DaVinci2]

I asked the doctor to do the labs that are posted on this site. He agreed to it but said that most hospitals in Japan don't do DHT or SHBG. He didn't go into much detail about why except to say that measuring Total test and free test would be enough. Is this true? Everything else on the list is getting tested. Should have my results in 3 weeks.

[marianco]

Originally Posted by DaVinci2

I asked the doctor to do the labs that are posted on this site. He agreed to it but said that most hospitals in Japan don't do DHT or SHBG. He didn't go into much detail about why except to say that measuring Total test and free test would be enough. Is this true? Everything else on the list is getting tested. Should have my results in 3 weeks.

DHT (Dihydrotestosterone): is about 7 times more potent than testosterone on androgen receptors except in muscle. It strongly helps determine libido. It can be considered the true male hormone since it helps determine male secondary sex characteristics, e.g. body hair, etc. DHT can also contribute to hair loss, weight gain and other side effects when too high. DHT is produced from testosterone. The amount of DHT produced is determine by many factors, including the route of testosterone treatment. For example, with testosterone gels, DHT production can be high depending on the amount of skin area to which the gel is applied. When analyzing the effects of testosteron replacement, DHT level is important to know.

SHBG (Sex hormone binding globulin): is used in some methods to estimate free or bioavailable testosterone. Thus its level can be given free when a total and free testosterone panel is ordered. SHBG has its own signal function when combined with testosterone or estrogens, which may help determine sexual function. SHBG can help determine whether there is an appropriate balance of other hormones in determining sexual function (e.g. estrogen activity, insulin activity).

Total and free testosterone alone may give a person an idea of what is happening if one assumes that is the only problem. Unfortunately, often (particularly with sexual function) problems may have many contributing factors. Thus, obtaining only a total and free testosterone is a one dimensional view of the problem. It does not even indicate if one has primary versus secondary hypogonadism, for example. And it won't give an idea of the total risks involved with treatment.

[DaVinci2]

I don't have a libido problem...yet...so what should I do? If they don't test DHT, should I be concerned enough to call different labs to see about testing?

[Andrew Androgen]

Marianco, if DHT is responsible for male pattern baldness, why doesn't most hair loss in men occur during the years when DHT is at its highest?
Hair loss in men occurs much more rapidly during the later years e.g. after the age of 45 or so, when I would assume DHT levels are generally a lot lower than in the twenties, for example.
Please comment on this.

[Sunkist]

Originally Posted by Andrew Androgen

Marianco, if DHT is responsible for male pattern baldness, why doesn't most hair loss in men occur during the years when DHT is at its highest?
Hair loss in men occurs much more rapidly during the later years e.g. after the age of 45 or so, when I would assume DHT levels are generally a lot lower than in the twenties, for example.
Please comment on this.

Hair loss is determined by the 5 alpha present in the scalp and at the hair root if it is the result of DHT " strangulation". It is much less regulated by circulating DHT. Some of the effects take time to materialize.