Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a hormone synthesized by your adrenal glands, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Your body uses DHEA to produce male and female sex hormones. Your DHEA levels peak when you are 25 years old and are about 80 percent depleted when you reach 70. You may replenish your body's DHEA levels via DHEA supplements. DHEA supplements are available in capsule and tablet forms and are also available in gum form.
Uses
DHEA is often used to treat impaired adrenal function, MayoClinic.com notes. DHEA may also be used to help treat systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease and DHEA supplements may help alleviate ovulation disorders in women. DHEA topical agents can be used to prevent skin from aging.
Dose
No one under 40 should take DHEA supplements unless their DHEA levels are less than 130 mg/dL for women or less than 180 mg/dL for men, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes. Men age 19 and above should not take more than 50 mg of DHEA daily. Women within the same age bracket should not take more than 25 mg daily doses of DHEA unless directed by their doctor. A higher dose is usually recommended for treating lupus and anorexia.
Symptoms of Low DHEA Levels
Low DHEA levels can impair your immune response, DrDebe.com explains. Once your immune system is compromised you become vulnerable to infections. Low DHEA levels can cause your blood sugar levels to elevate. Decreased DHEA levels elevate your risk of developing hypertension. Your cholesterol and triglyceride levels can increase when DHEA levels are low. Your thyroid function may be impaired by low DHEA levels. Cortisol, a hormone used to metabolize glucose, levels can become elevated when DHEA levels drop and your body may start depositing fat around your belly. Low DHEA levels can impair your memory and learning capacity.
Safety and Interactions
Taking DHEA supplements when you are pregnant or breast-feeding may be harmful to your baby, MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health, explains. Conditions such as cancer and uterine fibroids may be negatively affected by DHEA. DHEA supplements can induce mania in people with mood disorders. DHEA supplements may also interact with some forms of medication. DHEA might reduce the rate at which your liver breaks down medication. Anastrozole is a form of medication that lowers estrogen levels in your body. DHEA supplements may impair the effectiveness of the estrogen-lowering medications. Insulin can lower your DHEA levels and thus lower the effectiveness of DHEA supplements.
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