Add-on · Hormones

DHT blood test in the UK

A DHT (dihydrotestosterone) blood test measures the most potent androgen in the body, made from testosterone by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. DHT drives male pattern hair loss, prostate growth and body hair, so it is useful on TRT, on finasteride or dutasteride, and for women with excess hair growth. You can add it to TrueVitals Ultimate for £129, read alongside testosterone, SHBG, oestradiol and PSA.

Add to Ultimate: £129Sample: Clinic or home visitMain report: 4 working daysDHT result: 1 to 3 weeks after

Add to Ultimate: £528 Compare panels

Add DHT to Ultimate

Add-ons are tested on the same blood draw as your panel and reported inside your clinician-reviewed report, read alongside your other 140 results. They are not sold on their own.

Ultimate + DHT, partner clinic

£528£399 + £129 add-on

Blood draw at a partner clinic included.

Choose clinic

Ultimate + DHT, home visit

£557£399 + £29 visit + £129

A nurse comes to your home or workplace.

Choose home visit

Pay in instalments with Klarna or Clearpay at checkout. Want it with Advanced instead? Email support@truevitals.co.uk and we will set it up.

What DHT is

About 5 to 10% of your testosterone is converted into DHT, mainly in the skin, hair follicles and prostate. DHT binds the androgen receptor several times more strongly than testosterone, which is why small amounts have a big effect. It shapes male development in puberty, then in adult life mostly shows up in hair, skin and the prostate.

Why it is worth testing

On TRT. Testosterone therapy, especially gels applied to the skin, can raise DHT considerably. Knowing your DHT helps explain hair shedding, acne or prostate symptoms.
On finasteride or dutasteride. These medicines lower DHT. A test shows how far it has fallen.
Women with excess hair or acne. DHT can be raised in PCOS and other androgen-excess conditions even when testosterone looks normal.
Context for hair loss. Hair loss depends on how sensitive your follicles are to DHT as well as the level itself, so DHT is one piece of the picture, not a diagnosis.

What can push DHT up or down

Higher

Testosterone therapy, particularly gels and creams
Anabolic steroid use
PCOS and other androgen-excess conditions in women
Some DHT-derived supplements

Lower

Finasteride or dutasteride
Low testosterone
Ageing
Rarely, an inherited 5-alpha reductase deficiency

How it fits with your other results

Ultimate already measures testosterone, SHBG, the free androgen index, oestradiol, LH, FSH, prolactin and, for men, PSA. DHT adds the step those cannot show: how much of your testosterone is being turned into its most potent form. Your report uses the lab's own reference range, which differs for men and women.

Where to get a DHT test in the UK

Option	Includes it	Price	What else you get
Ultimate + DHT add-on	Yes	£528 incl. clinic draw (home visit £557)	Read alongside testosterone, SHBG, oestradiol, LH, FSH and PSA. Clinician-reviewed report; DHT follows 1 to 3 weeks after.
TrueVitals Advanced	On request	£319 + £129	Can be added on request by email.
NHS GP	On request	Free if clinically indicated	Rarely tested in primary care; usually only in specialist hormone clinics.

TrueVitals prices checked 5 November 2026. Every TrueVitals report is clinician-reviewed. Pay in instalments with Klarna or Clearpay. Book a draw at one of 103 partner clinics, or add a home visit.

Be honest with yourself about what this test is for

When to see your GP: new urinary symptoms, a weak stream or getting up at night to pass urine should be checked by your GP whatever your DHT. Sudden hair loss in patches is a different condition and also needs a GP.

A private panel is a good way to get a baseline, understand a result in context and track it over time. It does not replace your GP for symptoms, and anything that needs follow-up is flagged in plain words in your report.

Read alongside

DHT on its own rarely tells the whole story. In TrueVitals panels it is reported with these related markers:

TestosteroneSHBGFree androgen indexOestradiolPSA (men)LH and FSH

Frequently asked questions

Is DHT included in the Ultimate blood test?

Not as standard. Ultimate includes testosterone, SHBG, the free androgen index, oestradiol and PSA. You can add DHT for £129.

Does a high DHT level mean I will lose my hair?

Not on its own. Male pattern hair loss depends mostly on how sensitive your hair follicles are to DHT, which is largely inherited. Many men with high DHT keep their hair, and some with normal DHT lose it.

Should I test DHT on TRT?

It is useful, particularly on gels or creams, which can raise DHT more than injections. It helps explain side effects such as hair shedding, oily skin or acne, and gives a baseline for your prostate checks.

Can women have a DHT test?

Yes. It can help where there is excess facial or body hair, acne or scalp hair thinning, often alongside testosterone, SHBG and the female hormone results in Ultimate.

How long do DHT results take?

DHT is sent on to a specialist laboratory, so it usually follows 1 to 3 weeks after your main report. It is added to your report automatically when it arrives.

Do I need to fast?

An overnight fast with water only is advised for Ultimate, and a morning draw gives the most reliable hormone results.

How this page was written: by James Smillie, founder of TrueVitals, reviewed by the TrueVitals clinical review team, using NHS and laboratory reference sources. Ranges are typical values; your report uses your lab's own ranges. TrueVitals sells the panels named on this page, so we have stated plainly what this test cannot do. Last updated 5 November 2026.

Check DHT with your full hormone picture

Ultimate + DHT: £528 including the clinic draw, or £557 with a home visit. Clinician-reviewed report.

Add to Ultimate All add-ons