Dihydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is the most abundant sex hormone produced by the adrenal glands; it is a reservoir for the synthesis of estrogen, the most potent sex hormone in women. The normal concentration of DHEA in blood decreases with age, therefore DHEA measurements must be interpreted contextually. However, high DHEA concentration relative to age may result from supplementation and diseases, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, polycystic ovarian syndrome and adrenal tumors.
DHEA Supplementation
According to a 2007 "Oxford Journals" article, DHEA plays a role in maintaining a person's sex drive and well-being. DHEA supplementation increases estrogen levels in the blood and is therefore used as a substitute for hormone replacement therapy by post-menopausal women. Blood DHEA is increased by supplementation and is safe for most people, if used in smaller amounts for a short period of time; supplementing larger amounts over a longer period of time results in higher DHEA levels and an increased risk for side effects. Excess DHEA may promote cancer cells that are sensitive to estrogen.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
In a female, congenital adrenal hyperplasia results when the adrenal gland makes insufficient amounts of several important hormones needed by the body as a result of an enzyme deficiency; this enzyme deficiency can lead to the accumulation of DHEA, which is channeled into the production of both male and female sex hormones. A female with congenital adrenal hyperplasia will have excess body and facial hair, a deep voice, and irregular periods.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
A woman develops polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, when the brain increasingly stimulates the ovaries to make male sex hormones. Male and female sex hormones are made from DHEA; to make more sex hormones, more DHEA has to be made. In a healthy female, there is a low concentration of male sex hormones in the blood because they are mostly converted to estrogen. There is a limit to how much male sex hormones can be converted to estrogen at any given time, therefore overstimulation of the ovaries leads to an abundance of male sex hormones in a female.
Tumors
High DHEA in a woman without a history of DHEA supplementation is a reason to suspect a tumor of the adrenal gland. Since DHEA is made from the adrenal glands, tumors of the adrenal glands will often secrete lots of DHEA. Imaging studies and a tissue biopsy may be necessary to confirm the existence of a tumor.
References
- "Oxford Journals"; Human Reproductive Update; DHEA Therapy for Women; M. Panjari and Susan R. Davis; January 2007
- Life Extension: Medical Information on DHEA
- Medline Plus: DHEA
- Medline Plus: DHEA-Sulfate Test; What Abnormal Results Mean
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine"; Dennis Kasper M.D., et.al; 2005
