ecstatichamster
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http://press.endocrine.org/doi/abs/10.1210/jcem.82.8.4160
The present data show a dramatic decline in the circulating levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S), androst-5-ene-3β,17β-diol (5-diol), 5-diol-sulfate, 5-diol-fatty acid esters, and androstenedione in both men and women between the ages of 20–80 yr. In the 50- to 60-yr-old group, serum DHEA decreased by 74% and 70% from its peak values in 20- to 30-yr-old men and women, respectively. The serum concentrations of the conjugated metabolites of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), namely androsterone (ADT)-G, androstane-3α,17β-diol (3α-diol-G), androstane-3β,17β-diol (3β-diol-G), and ADT-sulfate are the most reliable parameters of the total androgen pool in both men and women, whereas serum testosterone and DHT can be used as markers of testicular secretion in men and interstitial ovarian secretion in women. The serum concentration of these various conjugated androgen metabolites decreased by 40.8% to 72.8% between the 20- to 30-yr-old and 70- to 80-yr-old age groups in men and women, respectively, thus suggesting a parallel decrease in the total androgen pool with age.
I think the key here is that although some studies show DHT doesn't decline that much with aging in men, the metabolites DO decline a LOT. This may mean it is much better to supplement with androsterone than with DHT, for instance.
http://biomedgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/content/57/2/M76.short
T is actively metabolized to the potent estrogen, estradiol (E2), by the enzyme aromatase, which is located primarily in adipose tissue, and to 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a more potent androgen than T, by the enzymes 5 alpha-reductase type 1 and 2, which are located predominantly in skin and the prostate (132)(133)(134).
Many of the actions of T are mediated, at least in part, by its active metabolites, E2 (e.g., bone, brain, and lipids) and DHT (e.g., prostate). Despite declining T levels, serum total E2 and DHT levels do not change or decrease only slightly with aging (24)(26)(34)(37)(38)(135)(136)(137)(138)(139).
This suggests that, with aging, there is a relative increase in aromatization of T to E2 (perhaps due to increased adipose tissue mass) and 5 alpha-reduction of T to DHT and/or reductions in the metabolic clearance of E2 and DHT. Because serum SHBG levels increase with aging, serum bioavailable or free E2 and DHT levels would be expected to decrease with aging.
I think the key here is that DHT isn't converted into other androgens as efficiently, perhaps due to higher estrogen levels as men age.
The present data show a dramatic decline in the circulating levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S), androst-5-ene-3β,17β-diol (5-diol), 5-diol-sulfate, 5-diol-fatty acid esters, and androstenedione in both men and women between the ages of 20–80 yr. In the 50- to 60-yr-old group, serum DHEA decreased by 74% and 70% from its peak values in 20- to 30-yr-old men and women, respectively. The serum concentrations of the conjugated metabolites of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), namely androsterone (ADT)-G, androstane-3α,17β-diol (3α-diol-G), androstane-3β,17β-diol (3β-diol-G), and ADT-sulfate are the most reliable parameters of the total androgen pool in both men and women, whereas serum testosterone and DHT can be used as markers of testicular secretion in men and interstitial ovarian secretion in women. The serum concentration of these various conjugated androgen metabolites decreased by 40.8% to 72.8% between the 20- to 30-yr-old and 70- to 80-yr-old age groups in men and women, respectively, thus suggesting a parallel decrease in the total androgen pool with age.
I think the key here is that although some studies show DHT doesn't decline that much with aging in men, the metabolites DO decline a LOT. This may mean it is much better to supplement with androsterone than with DHT, for instance.
http://biomedgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/content/57/2/M76.short
T is actively metabolized to the potent estrogen, estradiol (E2), by the enzyme aromatase, which is located primarily in adipose tissue, and to 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a more potent androgen than T, by the enzymes 5 alpha-reductase type 1 and 2, which are located predominantly in skin and the prostate (132)(133)(134).
Many of the actions of T are mediated, at least in part, by its active metabolites, E2 (e.g., bone, brain, and lipids) and DHT (e.g., prostate). Despite declining T levels, serum total E2 and DHT levels do not change or decrease only slightly with aging (24)(26)(34)(37)(38)(135)(136)(137)(138)(139).
This suggests that, with aging, there is a relative increase in aromatization of T to E2 (perhaps due to increased adipose tissue mass) and 5 alpha-reduction of T to DHT and/or reductions in the metabolic clearance of E2 and DHT. Because serum SHBG levels increase with aging, serum bioavailable or free E2 and DHT levels would be expected to decrease with aging.
I think the key here is that DHT isn't converted into other androgens as efficiently, perhaps due to higher estrogen levels as men age.