Although DHEA is one of the most commonly overlooked hormones, it is a crucial hormone that is responsible for the creation of estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol.
While estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol garner the most attention, DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) may be an underrated component of hormone health. Low DHEA can be responsible for many symptoms as varied as decreased cognitive function, an inability to cope with stress, and weight gain.
Why is DHEA critical to overall hormone health?
Many of the functions of DHEA will sound familiar to those who look to estrogen or progesterone for hormone therapy, as these deficiencies may be caused by an upstream deficiency of DHEA.
DHEA is produced by your adrenal glands and in the brain and skin. Receptors for DHEA are found throughout the body, and many systems within our bodies rely on DHEA for proper function. This important hormone is required for various healthy functions including:
- improved ability to deal with stress
- normal healing
- prevention of blood clots
- reduced blood sugar levels
- optimal brain function
- youthful skin appearance
- reduced risk for cardiovascular disease
- optimal cholesterol levels
- bone growth
In addition, DHEA also works as an anti-inflammatory, and it improves blood flow and circulation by increasing nitric oxide. The functions of DHEA are many and varied. This is why DHEA is necessary for optimal health and why it’s important to consider in testing.
What are some of the signs and symptoms of DHEA deficiency?
These familiar symptoms may be signs of a DHEA deficiency:
- low energy
- decreased muscle mass and/or strength
- decreased ability to deal with stress
- depressed immune system and increased infections
- joint soreness
- weight gain
- flushing or hot flashes
- irritability
What causes DHEA deficiency?
First, DHEA is a youthful hormone that decreases naturally as we age. By the age of 70, levels are about 1/4 of what they were in a person’s early 20’s. By about age 50, nearly everyone will have lower levels of DHEA.
The next common cause of DHEA deficiency is chronic stress. Although it’s typical to see lower DHEA levels by around age 50, with unchecked stress, it’s possible to hit lower levels earlier in your 30s and 40s. Smoking can also lower DHEA levels as well.
Support DHEA naturally
There are several ways to support your body’s natural ability to make this crucial hormone. As with all hormones, we need to give our bodies the natural building blocks and adequate rest that allow it to function optimally. Here are a few things to consider when aligning your lifestyle in a way that supports hormonal balance:
- Proper nutrition consisting of a diet of clean, whole foods
- Adequate levels of vitamin C and other key nutrients
- Optimal sleep quality and duration
- Stress reduction
In addition, sometimes a small supplementation can have a significant impact on health.
DHEA testing and supplementation
Check with your functional medicine doctor before beginning a hormone supplementation protocol. This is a common practice in functional medicine that many conventional health care providers overlook. Hormones need to be balanced with each other, so you need to obtain an overall view of your hormone picture before proceeding. Changing one hormone will change others as well
If you have had your DHEA levels tested and they are low, then you may want to consider supplements. What would be the potential benefits? The benefits include helping you deal more effectively with stress, better stress tolerance, weight loss, and cortisol balance. Supplementation can also help with insomnia, decrease your risk for heart disease, and improve cognition.
There is also some interesting research on DHEA related to autoimmune diseases. One study suggests that DHEA may be effective in treating lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Finally, some of the menopausal symptoms that many women experience can be treated with DHEA. Many women who deal with chronic stress, who have flushing, flashing, and some early hormonal symptoms, have cortisol and DHEA issues that can be addressed simply through stress reduction and mild supplementation.
DHEA dosing
The key is to use caution and begin slowly.
Most importantly, dosing for DHEA supplementation needs to be gentle and cautious. Although it is available without a prescription, DHEA is a hormone. Many people take too much because it’s so available over-the-counter, and because they assume it’s “safe”.
Typical dosing for women will range from 2.5 milligrams to about 25 milligrams. Generally, more than 2.5 milligrams is not recommended unless the recommendation comes from your doctor. This is why you should consult with an experienced functional medicine physician who can run and interpret these kinds of lab tests. Sometimes people will try to find the right dose with trial-and-error dosing. But, this is highly discouraged.
For example, if your cortisol is high, DHEA supplementation can make cortisol even higher. Since DHEA does turn into cortisol (and other hormones), in this situation, using a keto form of DHEA might be helpful. Keto forms of DHEA don’t convert into steroid hormones, so if you’re not testing, that’s a safer option.
Final thoughts on DHEA
DHEA has been studied thoroughly, and the medical literature suggests many uses for DHEA supplementation. However, supplementing with a hormone should be supervised by your doctor.
It is important to look at your hormone hierarchy (cortisol, insulin, and thyroid) first, as well as gut function before jumping on the hormonal bandwagon with supplementing sex hormones. However, due to how your body uses DHEA, if your levels are low, this can be one leverage point to support your body’s hormonal health.
Hormones can be a very complex subject and it is important to work with a practitioner who is adept at testing, has experience working with other hormones in the hierarchy, and considers gut health, nutritional status, and a person’s whole health. This is the realm of functional medicine where we focus on these areas.