
One of the natural steroids that our bodies produce is dehydroepiandrosterone or DHEA for short! Dehydroepiandrosterone is also sold as a supplement to be used for several different health reasons. Actually, DHEA is a steroidal hormone that is essential for our health. This is because DHEA is a precursor hormone for both testosterone AND estrogen. That’s right, the male and female hormones are both derived from the same molecule. Pretty neat, right?
What is DHEA?
As stated above, DHEA is a precursor hormone, meaning that DHEA is converted by our bodies into other hormones, specifically testosterone and estrogen. DHEA is the highest-circulating hormone in our blood stream at any given time. It has a very important job! The precursor is produced in the outer layers of the adrenal glands from the cholesterol molecule. Another reason that we need at least a little bit of cholesterol in our diets.
In addition, DHEA is produced in smaller amounts by the ovaries and testes. As with most other hormones, DHEA peaks when we are young, in our 20s, and slowly starts to decline as we get older. Ah, the curse of old age – declining hormone levels.
Even though the adrenal glands produce DHEA, its production is controlled by the brain via a negative feedback loop, another common mechanism by which our bodies maintain hormonal homeostasis as much as possible. Negative feedback means that when DHEA levels drop in the blood stream, it triggers the brain to send a signal to the adrenal glands to begin production once again.
What DHEA Can Do For Your Health
There have been several scientific reports that suggest that DHEA supplementation may help with multiple diseases or conditions. These include:
- Addison’s Disease (adrenal insufficiency): characterized by the adrenal glands not producing enough of certain hormones we need. For example, the adrenal glands may overproduce cortisol (the stress hormone) and underproduce aldosterone (regulates the salt and water content of our cells). DHEA, which is produced in our adrenal glands, as well as being a precursor hormone, helps to alleviate this disease and increase the production of necessary hormones.
- Depression: In a National Institute of Mental Health study, 23 out of 46 patients showed a 50% decrease in depressive symptoms after taking DHEA supplements for just six weeks.
- Lupus: The John Hopkins Lupus Center states that DHEA may be effective in treating some of the symptoms of mild to moderate lupus, including hair loss, fatigue, joint pain, memory loss, and mild cognitive decline.
- Obesity: Testosterone is a hormone that promotes lean muscle mass production and fat loss. It would make sense that its precursor would also have an effect on fat loss.
- Alzheimer’s Disease: Low levels of DHEA have been linked with Alzheimer’s Disease.
- Crohn’s Disease
- Infertility: Because DHEA is the precursor for both testosterone and estrogen, the two most important sex hormones, it may boost fertility by increasing the levels of sex hormones – hormones that are necessary for reproduction.
- Menopause issues: DHEA can help to balance hormones for menopausal women by increasing the declining amounts of estrogen and testosterone that cause the adverse symptoms of menopause.
- Induction of labor: The precursor hormone has been shown to promote cervical ripening for childbirth labor. When given as a pretreatment in combination with oxytocin, a shorter induction interval was demonstrated in those patients when compared to those who did not have DHEA as a pretreatment.
High levels of DHEA in the blood stream are linked to hirsutism (unwanted/excessive hair growth) and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) in women. Children who have been diagnosed with congenital adrenal hyperplasia also display elevated DHEA levels. As you can see, this hormone plays a significant role in our bodies.
It’s no wonder that DHEA has had the nicknames, “mother of all hormones,” “fountain of youth” and “super hormone.” Consider speaking to one of our endocrinologists to see if a DHEA supplement might be right for you! It doesn’t hurt to learn more – and from the experts themselves, nonetheless. Call us or fill out our contact form to get chatting!
References
Contact Us Today For A Free Consultation
Dear Patient,
Once you have completing the above contact form, for security purposes and confirmation, please confirm your information by calling us.
Please call now: 1-800-380-5339.
Welcoming You To Our Clinic, Professor Tom Henderson.

- Researchers Investigate Declining Sperm Counts, Find Chemicals Rampant - June 14th, 2022
- Testosterone, Statins, and Prostate Cancer - October 19th, 2021
- Growth Hormone and Smoking - October 14th, 2021
- Testosterone and Women - October 13th, 2021
- Hormone Replacement Therapy and Menopause - October 13th, 2021
- Growth Hormone, Exercise, and Osteoporosis: The Facts! - October 13th, 2021
- Hormone Replacement Therapy, Menopause, and Cancer - October 13th, 2021
- Growth Hormone, Foods, and Supplements for Healthy Skin - October 13th, 2021
- Growth Hormone and Lifestyle = An Extended Lifespan - October 13th, 2021
- Hormone Replacement Therapy and Aerobics May Ease Menopause Symptoms - October 13th, 2021
- The Link Between Testosterone and Tylenol - October 12th, 2021
- Low Testosterone and Hypogonadism: The Difference - October 12th, 2021
- Growth hormone = More Sleep = Better Sex! - October 11th, 2021
- Growth Hormone Battles Osteoporosis - October 11th, 2021
- HGH Male Blood Panel - September 28th, 2021
- Hormone Therapy May Benefit Some Women's Hearts - August 18th, 2021
- Enjoy a Few Drinks Weekly? Beware: This May Be a Link to Low Sperm Counts and Quality - August 16th, 2021
- Everything You Need to Know About Clomiphene - December 20th, 2020
- Study Examines Link Between Growth Hormones and Osteoporosis - December 17th, 2020
- Menopause Drugs: Study Stokes New Debate Over Cancer Risks - December 16th, 2020
- The Importance of Hormonal Balance for Menopause - December 14th, 2020
- L-Arginine: The Key to Both Heart Health and Sexual Health - December 4th, 2020
- Testosterone and Fatherhood - October 12th, 2020
- Tattoo Safety: What to Know Before You Get a Tattoo - June 2nd, 2020
- High-Intensity Interval Training Boosts Both Body and Mind - May 10th, 2020
- Lipocine Reintroduces Tlando - March 18th, 2020
- Insomnia: The Silent Killer - April 30th, 2019
- How to Understand and Deal with Cirrhosis - April 12th, 2019
- Constantly Tired? Can't Sleep? - March 23rd, 2019
- Are You Constantly Feeling Tired And Fatigued ? - May 1st, 2018


