Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands from cholesterol that serves as the precursor to sex hormones such as testosterone, an androgen, and estrogens. Elevated levels of androgens can cause acne, hair loss, aggressiveness and increased blood pressure, and women may experience changes in their menstrual cycle, facial hair growth and possibly a deeper voice. Men may experience gynecomastia, or enlarged breasts, and testicular wasting. Elevated hormone levels may also increase your risk of hormone-sensitive cancers.
Supplementation
DHEA can be compounded from wild yam and soy products, although your body cannot convert these foods into DHEA. Supplementation is often recommended for depression, obesity, adrenal insufficiency, perimenopause and menopause. It may be effective in treating schizophrenia, lupus, osteoporosis, erectile dysfunction and improving the appearance of maturing skin, making it a popular anti-aging supplement.
Deficiency
Natural production of DHEA begins to decline around the age of 30. Certain disease conditions can cause a deficiency in DHEA including anorexia, end-stage kidney disease, diabetes, AIDS and adrenal insufficiency, as well as some medications such as insulin, corticosteroids and opiates.
Safety
DHEA supplements may be safe for short-term use in doses less than 100mg daily. It should not be taken if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It should also be avoided if you have liver problems, diabetes, a history of abnormal heart rhythms, blood clots, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, depression or a mood disorder, or a hormone-sensitive cancer such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, testicular cancer or prostate cancer. Caution is advised if you have high cholesterol, hyperglycemia or a thyroid disorder. It is not advised to take if you are under 18, as DHEA can interfere with normal development and hormone balance.
Dosage
Common daily doses range from 10 to 200mg, although higher amounts are used in chronic disease states. According to the National Institutes of Health, research supports doses of 25 to 50mg daily for menopausal women, elderly men and those with adrenal insufficiency, and 50mg daily for men with erectile dysfunction. However, it's best to start with a low dose and work your way up to see how you respond to supplementation. Dr. Gayl Hyde, naturopathic medical doctor who specializes in women's medicine and hormone imbalance, will start patients at 5mg twice daily to see how they respond. Experts at the Mayo Clinic warn that excessive supplementation has been linked with Cushing's syndrome.
Interactions with Medications
If you are taking any medications that are metabolized and changed by the liver, you should not take DHEA. Drugs that may be affected by DHEA supplementation include certain statin drugs, medications that lower estrogen levels in the body, and insulin, Tamoxifen and Halcion specifically. If you are in doubt, consult with your health care provider.
Common Side Effects
As mentioned, DHEA can promote acne, irritability, facial hair growth and menstrual irregularities in women, hair loss and a deepened voice. Other common side effects include headache, fatigue, nasal congestion, insomnia and emotional changes.
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