DHEA is a natural hormone precursor to testosterone that is produced by the adrenal glands located above both kidneys. Adrenal fatigue is not a new syndrome or illness and is experienced by both genders. If you suffer from adrenal fatigue, your symptoms can range from exhaustion after sleeping at night, anxiety when trying to fall asleep at night, decreased muscle mass, depression, aching joints and loss of libido, according to nurse practitioner Marcelle Pick. Oral supplementation with a low dose of DHEA could correct your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Speak with your health care provider before starting this pro-hormone supplement.
DHEA
DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, is a pro-hormone made by the adrenal glands from cholesterol and secreted by the adrenal glands. DHEA is then converted to androstenedione. Your body takes androstenedione and converts this to testosterone or estrogen, depending on which hormone your body needs. According to Pick, the average adult makes about 25mg of DHEA per day and after your 20s, production starts to decline. By the time you reach your 70s, your DHEA production is 20 percent of what it was in your 20s.
Adrenal Fatigue
Adrenal fatigue sets in from your adrenal glands being overworked to support your body's hormonal needs. In addition to DHEA, your adrenal glands produce cortisol and adrenaline. Both hormones are produced at higher rates during times of intense stress. Adrenaline is the fight-or-flight hormone that increases your heart rate and provides energy to get you out of dangerous situations. Cortisol is another stress hormone that is produced during times of high stress. Your adrenal glands become fatigued by chronic stress, poor nutrition and yo-yo dieting, as stated by Pick. Eventually, your adrenals can't manufacture DHEA to balance out all the cortisol and adrenaline to provide hormonal balance.
Cortisol
Cortisol's role in the body is to help you manage stressful situations, whereas adrenaline helps you manage single events. Dr. Michael Lam, adrenal fatigue expert states cortisol protects your adrenal glands from fatigue. Cortisol normalizes blood sugar levels by raising glucose levels to provide needed energy due to stress. Immunity is heightened by physical damage caused to the body. When you experience muscle strains, bruising or other bodily damage, cortisol helps to lessen pro-inflammatory immune responses that keep your body from attacking itself. Cortisol levels can become exhausted when your body experiences chronic stress. If you never have periods of calm, your cortisol production can become exhausted, leading to adrenal fatigue.
Supplementation
DHEA is a potent steroid that needs to be taken with caution and under medical supervision. Just because you have symptoms that sound like adrenal fatigue, Pick advises not jumping to conclusions and starting your course with DHEA. Most over-the-counter supplements are at doses too high for women. You can find 25mg DHEA capsules or tablets, which is the lowest common dose. This dose can work for men as a daily booster to correct for DHEA deficiency, but for women it is still too high. Pick also adds that most nutritional supplements aren't guaranteed for their purity, so you can't be sure what you are buying is the real thing. If you are currently taking DHEA, follow-up with your health care provider to have your levels checked to see if you need to proceed in a different direction.
