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Very Low DHEA Levels in Men & Depression

Jun 10, 2011 | By Jessica Ramer
Very Low DHEA Levels in Men & Depression
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Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is an adrenal hormone that serves as a precursor to both the male and female sex hormones. Because this substance is structurally close to testosterone and low levels of it are linked to mood disorders, there is a great deal of interest in its efficacy as a treatment for depression in men.

Low DHEA Levels in Men and Depression

According to a September 2011 article in the "European Journal of Heart Failure," low DHEA levels in older men are linked to both greater depression and an elevated risk of coronary problems. The researchers analyzed the levels of both DHEA and total testosterone and compared those levels to scores on the Beck Depression Inventory, a 21-question multiple choice test that assesses the severity of depression. Twenty percent of men with adequate levels of both hormones were depressed. In contrast, 37 percent of men deficient in either DHEA or testosterone alone were depressed. When men had low levels of both DHEA and testosterone, the depression rate increased to 77 percent. During the period of the study, men with DHEA and testosterone levels in the bottom 10 percent of the sample and men with high depression scores were significantly more likely to either die or have unplanned hospitalizations.

How DHEA Might Affect Mood

There are two major biological systems that are thought to play a causal role in depression. This first is the monoaminergic system, which involves neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. Traditional antidepressants act on these substances. A second is the glucocorticoid system. Glucocorticoids are a group of compounds released by the adrenal glands. The best-known glucocorticoid is cortisol, which is released in response to stress and is part of the body's "flight or fight" response. It is also involved in regulating blood pressure and and glucose metabolism. Both the monoaminergic and the glucocorticoid systems work together to regulate mood.

Excess cortisol is thought to play a causal role in depression. The anti-depressant properties of DHEA may lie in the fact that it opposes many of the actions of cortisol in the body. While the exact mechanism of DHEA's action is unknown, its administration to depressed patients has shown generally positive, if somewhat inconsistent, results.

DHEA Is Not Implicated In All Cases of Depression

According to a 2009 article in "Experimental Gerontology," low levels of DHEA are associated with depression in the general population. However, not all cases of depression can be linked to low DHEA levels. For example, well over one-third of patients undergoing hemodialysis are depressed, yet their DHEA levels were not significantly different from those of non-depressed patients. This result held even when various factors like age, educational background, smoking and length of time on dialysis were controlled.

Cautions

The fact that DHEA does not require a prescription does not mean that it is safe for everyone. MayoClinic.com website acknowledges that it is useful in treating depression but offers some sobering cautions. Individuals of both sexes with a history of liver disease, blood clots and abnormal heart rhythms are advised to avoid this substance. Because DHEA is an androgen that is closely related to testosterone, excessive levels of it can lead to acne, unwanted facial hair, emotional changes and increased aggressiveness. It also has the potential to affect blood sugar regulation; therefore, people with diabetes are advised to take it only under a doctor's supervision.

References

Article reviewed by Tina Boyle Last updated on: Jun 10, 2011

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