5a- Dihydrotestosterone

5a- Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a hormone derived from testosterone. This test monitors the amount of 5a-DHT in the blood which is responsible for male characteristics such as facial hair, deep voice and growth of genitals. High levels of 5a-DHT in males is associated with prostate cancer, slow healing of wounds, coronary heart disease and male pattern baldness. While in females it can lead to excessive facial hair growth and troubled menstruation. On the contrary low levels of 5a-DHT may lead to ambiguous or incomplete genitals development and enlarged breasts in males.