DHEA Supplement Uses, Dosage, Side-effects, Benefits, and Other Relevant Information

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A Complete Guide to DHEA Supplement

DHEA

Table of Contents

DHEA is a steroid precursor to testosterone and estrogen and may significantly affect ageing, cognitive function, and fertility.

Overview

DHEA is a short form of Dehydroepiandrosterone, also known as Prasterone and 3β-hydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one. Dehydroepiandrosterone is a steroid hormone in human body secreted by the adrenal gland located on the top of the kidneys. DHEA is also produced in limited quantities in the gonads (Ovaries and Testes) and brain. Gonads are glands that secrete hormones essential for reproduction and other bodily processes. DHEA acts as a precursor compound for producing other sex hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone. Early adulthood in the twenties is when the body naturally reaches its peak level of DHEA, and as we age, that level declines. This decline cause testosterone and estrogen to decrease as well. There is a solution for the decline of DHEA natural production, and it is synthetically produced in the laboratory in the form of supplements to maintain the level. As a result, several declarations concerning their possible health advantages have been made.

Molar Mass: 424 g/mol
Chemical Formula: C₁₉H₂₈O₂

DHEA functions in the human body

Without DHEA, the human body cannot produce testosterone and estrogen. DHEA also counterbalance cortisol which minimizes stress level. Research on the relationship between DHEA and cortisol levels indicates that having more DHEA than cortisol may help you tolerate stress and its physiological repercussions. DHEA is a precursor hormone which means it converts into other hormones with a more direct effect on the human body. Therefore, DHEA is an extremely powerful compound and an essential source of estrogen for females and males.

Recommended Dosage of DHEA Supplement

DHEA supplements seem to serve well for people over 40. The doses depend upon the body’s requirement, medical history, and other relevant details of the consumer; therefore, it is available from 10 to 500 mg doses. A common allowable dose is 25 mg to 50 mg per day. A dose of 50 mg per day has been used safely for a year, and a dose of 25 mg per day has been used successfully for two years. DHEA 100 mg is also considered a safe dose. DHEA 200 mg can be used among young people for the treatment of testosterone enhancement as well.

Once you decide to start this supplement, do consult your doctor if you take other drugs regularly. Blood thinners, anticonvulsants, hormone therapy, and medications for diabetes, heart disease, and liver issues could possibly all interact with them.

DHEA Interactions

Do not consume DHEA with:

Antipsychotics such as Clozaril or Versacloz can reduce the DHEA’S effectiveness.
Estrogen, when combined with DHEA, can cause nausea, insomnia, or headache
When used with DHEA supplements, lithium can affect the drug’s effectiveness.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can cause manic symptoms when used with DHEA.
Don’t use testosterone with DHEA, and it can result in low sperm counts and gynecomastia.

Forms of DHEA available in market

The synthetic form of DHEA is available in powder form, capsules, gel, or topical cream in supplements or as medication termed Prasterone. DHEA supplements are formed in laboratories from Diosgenin which is a plant sterol. This plant sterol is extracted from wild yams. Hence wild yams and soy are known as natural sources of DHEA. However, it is doubtful that eating wild yam or diosgenin will raise DHEA levels because it is thought that the body does not convert diosgenin into DHEA.

DHEA for men

Treatments Performed from DHEA Supplement

DHEA is promoted for the treatment of the diverse conditions listed below:

Exercise-induced muscle damage
Major depression
Hormone replacement therapies
Weight loss
Fatigue
Low bone density
Alzheimer's disease
Heart disease
Cervical cancer
Crohn's disease
Infertility
Rheumatoid arthritis
Schizophrenia
Sexual dysfunction

Other than these treatments, DHEA may also be effective for improving aging skin in the elderly. Moreover, a version of the DHEA supplement termed as 7-Keto is greatly popular for reducing body fat and raising metabolism. It is believed that leaner body mass and a faster metabolism will burn calories more effectively, making it simpler to lose weight and keep it off.

How to keep DHEA balanced in the body

One can enhance the DHEA in their body in several ways. In order to regulate the natural production of DHEA, one should take proper sleep for 8 hours. The sleep cycle should be maintained in a way that you go to sleep and wake up at the same time daily. Balancing blood sugar levels also maintains the DHEA level in the body. Consume protein and fibre, take vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and avoid desserts and pieces of bread. Sun exposure is the best source of Vitamin D which assists in healthy production of DHEA. Must apply sunscreen and take a sun bath for about 30 minutes daily. Do gentle workouts daily, like yoga, pilates, or walking. Go for a DHEA checkup; if it's too high, then reduce foods that have high cholesterol like read meat, eggs, and fried foods. One can also buy DHEA supplements if testing shows that your levels are low to keep DHEA balanced in the body.

Benefits of Taking DHEA

DHEA’s primary task as a precursor hormone is to build other essential hormones, and it is an androgen or male sex hormone. Yet its function and effect on the human body do more than those titles. It is the strongest healthy aging hormone in the body. The balanced level of DHEA is responsible for keeping one’s skin moisturized and bones strong and maintaining cortisol levels. An increased level of cortisol may have various negative issues; there comes DHEA to resist it.

Other than these benefits, this hormone also assists people to boost sexual drive, enhance muscle mass and fight depressive disorder.

Some other common benefits of the DHEA hormone are listed below:

Building up the adrenal gland function
Building up bone and muscle strength
Providing more energy
Strengthening the immune system
Slowing natural changes in the body that come with age
Improving mood and memory

Signs of low DHEA in the Body

Below are the signs that indicate that the level of DHEA is low in your body, and you need to balance it in any way.

Mild or extreme depressive disorder
Elevated levels of prolactin
Low bone density
Heart diseases
Low levels of testosterone
Salt cravings
Infertility
Chronic stress
Low libido
Post-traumatic stress disorder

Side effects from low and high levels of DHEA

Dietary supplements should only be taken under the guidance of a skilled healthcare professional due to the risk of side effects and drug interactions.

Some reported side effects of DHEA supplements are:

Facial hair growth
Loss of scalp hair
Deepening of the voice of women
High blood pressure
Stomach issues
Nasal congestion
Fatigue
Rapid or unstable heartbeat
Insomnia
Skin thickening
Headache
Unfavourable changes in cholesterol levels

The risk of hormone-sensitive malignancies, including breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer, is enhanced since DHEA can also be converted by the body to estrogen.

High levels of DHEA adverse effects include:

Acne or oily skin
Low energy
Trouble sleeping
PCOS and accompanying symptoms, including excess hair growth
Irregular or absent menstrual cycle
Hair growth on the whole body
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia in children

Low levels of DHEA side effects include:

Decrease in bone mineral density
Low estrogen production in women
Reduced sex drive
Infertility
Irregular menstrual cycle
Osteoporosis – weak bones
Reduces life span for men\

References

professional, C. C. medical (no date) DHEAS Test: What It Is, Procedure, Results, Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22148-dheas-test-dhea-sulfate-test [Accessed: 10 November 2023].
Rutkowski K;Sowa P;Rutkowska-Talipska J;Kuryliszyn-Moskal A;Rutkowski R; (no date) Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): hypes and hopes, Drugs. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25022952/ [Accessed: 10 November 2023].
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): Uses, side effects, and interactions (no date) Medical News Today. MediLexicon International. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/308684 [Accessed: 10 November 2023].
Morales AJ; Haubrich RH; Hwang JY; Asakura H; Yen SS; (no date) The effect of six months of treatment with a 100 mg daily dose of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on circulating sex steroids, body composition and muscle strength in age-advanced men and women, Clinical endocrinology. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9876338/ [Accessed: 10 November 2023].
Shane-McWhorter, L. (2023) Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) - Special Subjects, MSD Manual Consumer Version. MSD Manuals. Available at: https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/special-subjects/dietary-supplements-and-vitamins/dehydroepiandrosterone-dhea [Accessed: 10 November 2023].
Dehydroepiandrosterone (2023) Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dehydroepiandrosterone (Accessed: 10 November 2023).
DHEA (2023) Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-dhea/art-20364199 [Accessed: 10 November 2023].
DHEA Supplements: Uses and Side Effects (no date) WebMD. WebMD. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/diet/dhea-supplements [Accessed: 10 November 2023].

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