Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a hormone that's produced naturally by the human body, and is also available as a supplement. It is secreted by the adrenal glands, testicles, ovaries and the brain. It is abundantly produced from cholesterol until your mid to late 20s. At about age 30, the levels of DHEA begin to decline. DHEA levels in men are typically higher than the hormone's levels in women.
Function
DHEA is one of the most abundant naturally occurring hormones in the human body. One of its functions is to generate the production of other hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, cortisone and testosterone. It plays a role in building lean muscle mass, reducing body fat, stimulating bone formulation and controlling blood sugar levels.
Levels
Optimal levels of DHEA are essential to a healthy immune and cardiovascular system, and for improved memory, mood and energy. The level sharply increases just before puberty, then steadily increases until about age 25 in men and 32 in women. After men turn 30, the levels begin to decrease.
Male Ranges
MedlinePlus states that the normal or acceptable ranges of DHEA are dependent on age and gender. For men in their 20s, the normal range is 280 to 640 micrograms per deciliter, or ug/dl. For men in their 30s, the range is 120 to 520 ug/dl. For men in their 40s and 50s, the levels should fall between 95 to 530 and 70 to 310 ug/dl, respectively. For men in their 60s, normal values are considered to be between 42 and 290 ug/dl. And for men ages 70 and older, the range is 28 to 175 ug/dl.
Potential
A significant amount of research has been performed on the various health benefits of DHEA. According to MayoClinic.com, studies on the positive effect of DHEA on depression, obesity and lupus have all yielded positive results. Other studies have focused on the effects DHEA may have on Alzheimer's, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and infertility. MayoClinic.com notes that more research needs to focus on all of these areas in order to support using DHEA supplements.
Supplementation
The American Academy of Family Physicians, or AAFP, supports using DHEA supplements in treating lupus, diabetes and obesity. However, as of 2010, both MayoClinic.com and the AAFP note that studies on the long-term effects of DHEA supplementation are lacking. They further note that because DHEA supplementation can trigger a higher-than-normal level of sex hormones, it may increase the risk for developing hormone-affiliated cancers. Therefore, you should only supplement under the direction of your physician.
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