Source — How Dht Hair Loss Strikes And How To Stop It. What Is DHT and How Does It Cause Hair Loss? DHT isn't some obscure chemical. It's a hormone, every person who makes testosterone produces it. The full name is dihydrotestosterone, rolls right off the tongue, right? An enzyme called 5-alpha reductase latches onto free testosterone in your bloodstream and converts about five to ten percent of it into DHT. Here's where things get tricky. This version is five times more potent than regular testosterone. The moment DHT locks onto that receptor, a cascade kicks off. Why does it only hit certain spots? It is tempting to assume DHT is outright bad.
When dermatologists talk about "blocking DHT," they don't mean wiping it out entirely. Timing matters just as much. The numbers tell the story: the MedlinePlus Genetics entry on androgenetic alopecia puts it at around 50 million men and 30 million women in the US dealing with some form of androgenetic alopecia. Signs and Symptoms of High DHT Men usually spot it first at the temples and crown.