DHT and Genetics

If you say DHT is produced in all men, then how is it genetic? And why some get bald and some have a full head of hair even if they also produce DHT?

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is produced by all men and women. Testosterone made in the bodies of men and women is metabolized by the liver, and DHT is a byproduct of this process. When a person inherits the genes for balding, this hormone causes the hair to be lost in a pattern that is genetically determined. There are a number of balding patterns that were charted, and Dr. O’Tar Norwood standardized these patterns found in men back in the 1970s.

The treatment for balding is to try to block the action of the DHT at the hair level. Fortunately, the hair follicle is very sensitive to this hormone, which is easily blocked. Propecia (finasteride 1mg) is not a complete block of the actions of DHT on the hair follicle, but about 70% of it is blocked and this reduces the impact of the DHT on the balding process.

So everyone makes DHT, but only the genetic markers in some people will result in the DHT causing hair loss.