From the Guidelines
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone that serves as a precursor to male and female sex hormones, including testosterone and estrogen, and its supplementation should be approached with caution due to potential hormone-related side effects and interactions. DHEA is naturally produced by the adrenal glands and its levels decrease after age 30, leading to its use as a dietary supplement for various purposes, including improving energy, mood, sexual function, and bone density, as well as addressing adrenal insufficiency 1. The body converts DHEA into other hormones as needed, explaining its wide-ranging effects, but supplementation carries risks, including acne, hair loss, and potentially increased risk for hormone-sensitive cancers 1. Key points to consider when evaluating DHEA supplementation include:
- Typical supplement doses range from 25-50mg daily, though some conditions may warrant up to 200mg under medical supervision
- DHEA should not be taken without consulting a healthcare provider, especially by people with hormone-sensitive conditions, heart disease, liver problems, or those taking medications that might interact with hormones
- Vaginal DHEA can be considered for vaginal dryness or pain with sexual activity, but its safety in survivors of hormonally mediated cancers is limited and should be used with caution 1. Given the potential risks and benefits, it is essential to approach DHEA supplementation with caution and under the guidance of a healthcare provider, prioritizing individualized assessment and monitoring to minimize adverse effects and optimize outcomes.
From the FDA Drug Label
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) DHEA stands for Dehydroepiandrosterone, which is the active ingredient in the drug 2.
- It is not further defined in the provided drug labels.
From the Research
What is DHEA
- Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid hormone secreted primarily by the adrenal glands and to a lesser extent by the brain, skin, testes, and ovaries 3
- It is the most abundant circulating steroid in humans and can be converted into other hormones, including estrogen and testosterone 3
- DHEA has been characterized as a pleiotropic "buffer hormone," with receptor sites in the liver, kidney, and testes, and has a key role in a wide range of physiological responses 3
Physiological Effects of DHEA
- DHEA exerts an immunomodulatory action, increasing the number of monocytes, T cells expressing T-cell receptor gamma/delta (TCRγδ) and natural killer (NK) cells 4
- It improves physical and psychological well-being, muscle strength and bone density, and reduces body fat and age-related skin atrophy stimulating procollagen/sebum production 4
- DHEA modulates cardiovascular signalling pathways and exerts an anti-inflammatory, vasorelaxant and anti-remodelling effect 4
- Its low levels correlate with increased cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality 4
Therapeutic Applications of DHEA
- DHEA has been shown to be effective in treating adrenal insufficiency, restoring DHEA/DHEAS and androstenedione levels, reducing total cholesterol, improving well-being, sexual satisfaction and insulin sensitivity, and preventing loss of bone mineral density 4
- It has also been used to treat systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease, and asthma and allergy 4, 3
- DHEA may have neuroprotective, pro-cognitive, anxiolytic, and antidepressant effects, making it a potential therapeutic agent for CNS disorders 5
DHEA Levels and Aging
- Circulating levels of DHEA decline with age, and a relationship has been suggested between lower DHEA levels and heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, chronic fatigue syndrome, AIDS, and Alzheimer's disease 3
- DHEA secretion decreases from the age of 30 years and is already decreased, on average, by 60% at time of menopause 6
- Low levels of DHEA have been associated with a range of medical problems, including osteoporosis, muscle loss, vaginal atrophy, fat accumulation, hot flashes, skin atrophy, type 2 diabetes, memory loss, cognition loss and possibly Alzheimer's disease 6