Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), Free
The most potent androgen, measured in its free, bioactive form.
Consider this test if:
- Investigating ambiguous genital development or suspected 5-alpha-reductase deficiency
- Tracking the effect of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors such as finasteride or dutasteride
- Evaluating androgen-related changes when SHBG is altered by medications or illness
- Total DHT or testosterone results that do not fit the clinical picture
- HSA/FSA eligible
- Typical results in 9-15 days · Reviewed by a real clinician
- Drawn at a CLIA/CAP-accredited lab near you ·
Pre-test considerations
No fasting is required. Note any androgen therapy or 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (finasteride, dutasteride), since these directly change DHT levels. Morning collection is preferred for androgen testing, and the serum must be separated and frozen promptly, so this is run as a send-out specimen.
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What this test is for
Dihydrotestosterone is the strongest androgen the body makes, converted from testosterone by 5-alpha-reductase in peripheral tissues. It drives male external genital development, prostate growth, and skin and hair follicle activity, which is why it is central to evaluating 5-alpha-reductase deficiency and to monitoring therapies that act on androgens. This test reports the free fraction: because most DHT is bound to sex hormone binding globulin, and SHBG shifts with medications, illness, and sex steroids, free DHT reflects the biologically active hormone more accurately than a total measurement.
The companion total DHT test sums bound and free hormone and is the routine starting measure; this free assay isolates the active fraction and is the better choice when SHBG is altered or when bound and total levels could mislead. An elevated testosterone-to-DHT ratio supports a 5-alpha-reductase diagnosis, though definitive confirmation requires SRD5A2 genetic analysis.
Biomarkers tested
Includes 2 biomarkers
DHT is the androgen testosterone becomes once 5-alpha reductase gets to it, and it binds receptors far more aggressively than testosterone itself, driving hair follicles, skin oil glands, and prostate tissue. High DHT tracks with male pattern hair loss, persistent acne, and prostate enlargement, and it's worth checking if you're on testosterone therapy to see how much is converting downstream. Low DHT shows up as reduced libido, weaker erections, or blunted response to training despite normal testosterone, and in women, elevated levels help explain hirsutism or acne alongside PCOS workups.
- Specimen
- Serum or plasma
- Measures
- Mass concentration
- Specimen
- Serum or plasma
- Measures
- Mass concentration
What to expect
- 1 Book instantly
Click, book, done. Choose a convenient lab location near you. Transparent, up-front pricing.
- 2 Quick lab visit
Testing to fit your busy schedule, usually 15 minutes or less. Walk-in and appointments available.
- 3 Typical results in 9-15 days
Your results post straight to your dashboard as soon as the lab completes them.
- 4 Expert guidance
Included with Mito membership. A clinician reviews your results and your personalized action plan follows, with clear next steps.
Everything your health needs,
in one membership
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Every test at our cost
Members pay our cost on every test, with lab fees passed straight through. The full receipt is itemized, never padded.
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Continuous tracking, all in one place
Upload past labs and watch your trends over time. Every marker and visit lives in one longitudinal record, so all your care stays together.
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Year-round clinician support
Text anytime and get clinician-reviewed answers. When you want to go deeper, 1:1 consultations are available at affordable rates.
All for $9/month
Order any test or consult without joining. For $9/month, members unlock member prices, trend tracking, and year-round clinician guidance.
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Frequently asked questions
View all FAQsHow does pricing work?
Every test shows the member price next to the standard non-member price, so you can see what membership saves you. The member price is our cost — covering the lab and what it takes to run the service — never a profit on the test itself; Mito makes its money on the $9 membership, not on marking up your tests. Membership is $9/mo, and you still pay the lab’s order fee. Prices are itemized before you pay, with no hidden fees.
Where do I get tested?
Choose a partner lab (Quest, Labcorp, or BioReference) at checkout. If your cart spans multiple tests, we consolidate the whole order onto a single lab so you only make one visit.
Is this eligible for HSA/FSA?
Yes. This test is HSA/FSA eligible, and you can pay with your HSA/FSA card at checkout.
When will I get my results?
Your results post to your dashboard once your lab completes them, then a clinician reviews them and your full analysis and personalized action plan (with clear next steps) follow. Turnaround varies by test: specialty assays and at-home kits take longer, and each test shows its expected turnaround before you buy.
Do I need a doctor’s order?
No. Mito provides the lab order for you, so you can book and get tested without a separate doctor visit.
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