DHEA

Definition of DHEA:

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid produced by the adrenal glands and is the most abundant one found in humans.  DHEA may be transformed into testosterone, estrogen or other steroids.  It is found in the body as DHEA or in the sulfated form known as DHEA-S. One form is converted into the other as needed.

Also: DHEA-S

Topics Related to DHEA

Andropause/Male Menopause

...recommendation DIM / I3C
“...Accumulation of estrogen during andropause is amplified by obesity since fat tissue is the site of conversion of both testosterone and DHEA into estrogen...”
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More topics Related to DHEA

Atherosclerosis

...relationship to Low DHEA Level
“Although there is some conflicting evidence, many researchers conclude that maintaining normal levels of DHEA provides some protection against atherosclerosis.”

Autoimmune Tendency

...recommendation Test for DHEA
“Some doctors report finding that a high percentage of patients with autoimmune disorders are also deficient in DHEA, and should be tested.”

Breast Cancer

...recommendation Test for DHEA
“...Most of the 27 had abnormally low levels of DHEA.”

Carbohydrate Intolerance

...the condition
“...Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: The liver uses a specific enzyme system to convert cholesterol into a master steroidal hormone called pregnenolone, from which hormones such as progesterone, DHEA, and testosterone are derived...”

Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia Syndrome

...the condition
“...DHEA and 7-Keto DHEA may be useful; routine endocrine tests are normal in suspected cases of fibromyalgia...”

Chronic Thyroiditis

...recommendation DHEA
“Some doctors report finding that a high percentage of patients with autoimmune disorders, such as thyroiditis, are also deficient in DHEA, and should be tested.”

Cluster Headaches

...relationship to Low Female Testosterone Level
“Several studies have found that sufferers of cluster and migraine headaches tend to have subnormal levels of total testosterone, DHEA sulfate, and pregnenolone.”
...relationship to Low DHEA Level
“Those suffering from cluster headaches often have DHEA sulfate levels that are below normal.”
...relationship to Low Male Testosterone Level
“Several studies have found that sufferers of cluster and migraine headaches tend to have subnormal levels of total testosterone, DHEA sulfate, and pregnenolone.”

Coronary Disease / Heart Attack

...recommendation DHEA
“A landmark study in 1986 of 242 men aged 50-79 and based on 12 years of research stated that a small supplementation of DHEA corresponded to a 48% reduction in death from heart disease and a 36% reduction in death from any cause, other than accidents...”

Depression

...recommendation DHEA
DHEA is a plentiful adrenal steroid hormone whose quantity decreases with age and may have significant psychiatric effects...”

DHEA

...as a treatment
“Alternative names: Dehydroepiandrosterone, Dehydroepiandrostenedione, Androstenolone DHEA is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands...”

DHEA Elevated

...the condition
“Excess DHEA can cause excess levels of estrogen and testosterone, as well as creating a dependence.”
...our question about Early or late puberty onset (female)
“Girls with premature puberty have been found to have elevated levels of DHEA-S.  The elevated levels are normally one of the first biochemical signs of awakening of the reproductive glands, in this case the adrenal gland after the long period of childhood inactivity.”

Elevated Insulin Levels

...our question about Early or late puberty onset (female)
“Girls with premature puberty have been found to have elevated insulin and DHEA-S levels.  This contributes to the weight gain usually seen in advanced PCOS.”

Erectile Dysfunction (ED, Impotence)

...recommendation Test for Hormones
“...When considering lab testing, a full panel of tests should be considered such as DHEA, testosterone (total and free), DHT, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (best taken at 9am to avoid diurnal...”

Female Hair Loss

...recommendation Test for Hormones
“There have been several reports that supplemental DHEA has accelerated hair loss in susceptible men and women...”

Hepatitis

...the condition
“...enhanced by natural products or drugs such as IP6 (Inositol hexaphosphate), MGN3 (a commercial rice bran product modified with mushroom extracts), thymus extracts, low dose Naltrexone, zinc, DHEA, glutamine, a good multiple vitamin-mineral over time and others such as astragalus, cordyceps (Chinese fungus), and MCP (modified citrus pectin)...”

Hirsutism

...the condition
“...Although some women with hirsutism have increased amounts of male hormones (e.g. DHEA or testosterone), most have normal levels...”

Hormones

...related topic
“...Examples include adrenal hormones such as corticosteroids and aldosterone; glucagon, growth hormone, insulin, testosterone, estrogens, progestins, progesterone, DHEA, melatonin, and thyroid hormones such as thyroxine and calcitonin.”

Hyperthyroidism

...recommendation Test for DHEA
“Some doctors report finding that a high percentage of patients with autoimmune disorders, such as Graves' disease, are also deficient in DHEA, and should be tested.”

Hypoglycemia

...relationship to Low DHEA Level
“Insulin levels may play a significant role in determining how much DHEA is metabolized...”

Hypopituitarism

...recommendation DHEA
“Six months of treatment with DHEA (at 30mg per day if over 45 years of age and 20mg per day if under 45 years of age) induced androgen effects on skin and axillary and pubic hair in a study of 38 women with androgen deficiency...”

Hypothyroidism

...recommendation Test Adrenal Function
“Cortisol and DHEA are among the hormones produced by the adrenal glands...”

Immune System Imbalance (TH2 Dominance)

...the condition
“...Ginseng extract), chlorella (spirulina and some other sea vegetables may have similar benefits), thyroid hormones, garlic (raw or aged extract), l-Glutathione (or products that raise levels), DHEA or AED (androstendiol), UV-A light, vitamin E, transfer factor (antigen specific) – protein immunomodulators extracted from colostrum, colostrum, low dose naltrexone, IP6, lentinian and certain...”
...recommendation DHEA
DHEA increases TH1 cytokines which help balance the immune system.”
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More topics Related to DHEA

Low Adrenal Function / Adrenal Insufficiency

...the condition
“...The adrenal cortex is involved in the production of glucocorticoids (such as cortisol, i.e. hydrocortisone), mineralocorticoids (aldosterone) and androgens such as androstenedione and DHEA.  A mild to moderate adrenocortical deficiency can substantially reduce your quality of life, yet this condition is not recognized by most doctors, who only think of the adrenal gland's condition...”

Low DHEA Level

...the condition
“Produced by the adrenal glands, DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) is mildly androgenic...”
...relationship to Premature/Signs of Aging
“Sometimes known as the "youth hormone", DHEA protects the body from premature aging...”
...recommendation DHEA
“The optimal dosage range for DHEA varies considerably between individuals...”

Low Pregnenolone Level

...the condition
“...All steroid hormones in the body (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, aldosterone, cortisol, etc...”

Low Sex Drive

...relationship to Low DHEA Level
DHEA is the precursor to testosterone...”

Low T-Helper (CD4) Cell Level

...recommendation DHEA
“One study has found that DHEA therapy (75mg per day) increased CD4 and CD8 cell counts in the majority of HIV patients...”

Lupus, SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)

...relationship to Low DHEA Level
“Low blood levels of the hormone DHEA have been associated with more severe symptoms in people with SLE...”
...recommendation Test for DHEA
DHEA is almost always low in patients with autoimmune conditions such as SLE.”

Male Hair Loss

...recommendation Test for Hormones
“There have been several reports that supplemental DHEA has accelerated hair loss in susceptible men and women...”

Menopausal Issues

...relationship to Syndrome X / Metabolic Syndrome
“...With reduced SHBG levels, greater amounts of bioactive "male" sex hormones – androgens such as testosterone and DHEA – begin to circulate inside a woman's body...”

Myasthenia Gravis

...recommendation Test for DHEA
DHEA is almost always low in patients with autoimmune conditions such as myasthenia gravis.”

Parkinson's Disease

...recommendation DHEA
“C.A. Hackethal, M.D. has reported excellent success in treating Parkinson's Disease by use of replacement therapy of DHEA.  Apparently the bad side-effects of L-Dopa are avoided, and the Parkinsonian victim is restored to appropriate functioning.”

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

...the condition
“...When DHEA-S levels are elevated, the addition of dexamethasone may be helpful...”
...recommendation Test for Hormones
“...It is for this reason that a measurement of total testosterone and DHEA is recommended.”

Poor Memory

...recommendation DHEA
“In a study of six middle-aged and elderly patients with major depression and low plasma DHEA levels, memory performance and depression improved significantly when DHEA was supplemented sufficiently to raise their plasma DHEA to levels found in healthy younger people...”

Pregnenolone

...as a treatment
“...Pregnenolone is the basic precursor – or starting raw material – for the production of ALL the human steroid hormones, including DHEA, progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, cortisol and aldosterone, and as such is often referred to as "The Mother Hormone" or the next "up and coming" anti-aging hormone...”

Premature/Signs of Aging

...recommendation Test for Hormones
“...The hormones most likely to be involved include estrogens, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA.”

Rheumatoid Arthritis

...relationship to Low DHEA Level
DHEA levels have been found to be low in women with rheumatoid arthritis, a condition frequently associated with osteoporosis...”
...recommendation DHEA
“...DHEA levels correlated significantly with, and were predictive of, bone mineral density, even after corticosteroid therapy was taken into account...”

Stress

...relationship to Low DHEA Level
“Stress accelerates the loss of DHEA.”

Test for DHEA

...as a treatment
“Although not yet formally validated, DHEA testing can be performed on blood, saliva or urine samples...”

Test for Hormones

...as a treatment
“Hormone testing for sex hormones such as estrogens, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, LH, FSH, prolactin and binding globulins (SHBG) is an important step in determining hormone abnormalities that may be causing or contributing to symptoms...”

Ulcerative Colitis

...recommendation Test for DHEA
DHEA can be a factor in autoimmune problems, which some consider ulcerative colitis to be.”

Weakened Immune System

...the condition
“...food and other allergens, and being well-nourished; supplements such as TMG, zinc, vitamin C and other antioxidants; hormones such as HGH (human growth hormone – can be used homeopathically) and DHEA; colloidal silver, and l-arginine...”
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