---
title: "What does a low Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) mean?"
type: biomarker-interpretation
url: "https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/dihydrotestosterone-dht/low"
biomarker: Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
direction: low
reference_range:
  - "Male, age 18+: 30.0 – 85.0 ng/dL"
  - "Female, age 18+: 4.00 – 22.0 ng/dL"
reviewed_at: 2026-09-06
review_status: reviewed
date_published: 2026-09-05
---

# What does a low Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) mean?

> Low DHT is expected in anyone taking finasteride or dutasteride, which block the enzyme that makes it; those drugs lower DHT by 60–90% and that is the therapeutic goal. Without such medication, low DHT tracks low testosterone (hypogonadism) or, rarely, an inherited 5-alpha-reductase deficiency. It is interpreted with total testosterone.


## What is the normal range for Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)?

- Male, age 18+: 30.0 – 85.0 ng/dL
- Female, age 18+: 4.00 – 22.0 ng/dL



## What are the common causes of low Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)?

1. Finasteride, dutasteride (expected effect)
2. Low testosterone from any cause
3. 5-alpha-reductase deficiency (rare, inherited)
4. Saw palmetto and similar supplements (modest)

## What symptoms go with low Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)?

- Usually none attributable to DHT itself
- Low libido or sexual side effects in a minority on 5-ARIs

## What do clinicians usually check next?

- Total testosterone
- Medication and supplement review

## How do you recheck Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)?

| Test or panel | Type | Price | Fasting | Results |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Men's Hair Health Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/mens-hair-health-panel) | Panel (19 tests) | $499.99 | No | 4–7 business days |
| [DHT (Dihydrotestosterone)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/dihydrotestosterone) | Test | $51.99 | No | 4–7 business days |

Plus one $6 lab processing fee per order; physician authorization included.

## Common questions

### I take finasteride — is my low DHT a problem?

No, it's the intended effect. Discuss with the prescriber only if you have side effects you want to weigh against the benefit.

## Related

- [What does a high Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) mean?](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/dihydrotestosterone-dht/high)
- [Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) reference ranges](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/dihydrotestosterone-dht)
- [Total Testosterone reference range](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/total-testosterone)
- [Free Testosterone reference range](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/free-testosterone)
- [SHBG reference range](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/shbg)

## Sources

- [Mayo Clinic Labs](https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/8055)

---

Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-06. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/editorial-policy

Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/dihydrotestosterone-dht/low
Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt

Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.