Dehydroepiandrosterone -- or DHEA for short -- is a hormone produced naturally by the adrenal glands. Your body uses DHEA to produce sex hormones, such as estrogen or androgens. DHEA supplements provide your body with a synthetic form of this hormone. Health professionals with the University of Maryland Medical Center report that treatment with DHEA may be beneficial if you have low hormone levels due to natural aging, osteoporosis, lupus, depression or adrenal insufficiency. However, additional research is needed to further examine these purported medicinal benefits of DHEA supplements. Be sure to talk with your doctor before beginning treatment with DHEA supplements.
Dosing
The amount of DHEA you should take daily varies depending upon your age and health status. The recommended daily dose of DHEA is 50 mg for men and 25 mg for women, the UMMC reports. If you have lupus, your doctor may advise taking higher doses of DHEA. Your body naturally produces DHEA during the morning hours after you wake up. Taking your daily dose of DHEA in the morning will help mimic this natural effect. Consult your doctor for more information about how much DHEA you should take each day.
Adverse Effects
While receiving treatment with DHEA supplements, you may experience mild to severe adverse side effects. Common side effects include stomach discomfort and hair loss. DHEA supplements may also elevate your blood pressure, which may be problematic if you already have hypertension. Women taking this synthetic hormone may experience menstrual cycle changes, a deepened voice or unusual facial hair growth. If these side effects become bothersome or severe, seek additional care from your primary medical provider.
Drug Interactions
Always inform your doctor of all medications you are taking before you begin treatment with DHEA supplements. Concomitant use of DHEA supplements and barbiturates, corticosteroids and AZT may enhance the efficacy of these medications. Alternatively, DHEA may reduce the effectiveness of drugs indicated for diabetes, which may result in an increase in your blood sugar levels.
Contraindications
Talk with your physician about any health conditions or concerns you may have before taking DHEA supplements. Avoid taking DHEA supplements if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, as this synthetic hormone may cause harm to the developing fetus or infant. Treatment with DHEA is also not advised for people with diabetes, liver disease, polycystic ovary syndrome or reproductive cancers, such as prostate, breast, ovarian or uterine cancers. If you have depression or a mood-related disorder, consult your doctor before taking DHEA supplements as this supplement may exacerbate your symptoms.
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