Low Pregnenolone Level: Overview
Pregnenolone is a hormone with its own actions, as well as being a mother hormone for sex and adrenal hormones. All steroid hormones in the body (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, aldosterone, cortisol, etc.) are made from pregnenolone.
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Causes and Development
Pregnenolone levels in the body decline more than 60% as we age.
Signs and Symptoms
Estrogen-deficient women often are low in pregnenolone, an essential hormone (derived from cholesterol) which is a precursor to progesterone. Pregnenolone may be a significant contributing factor in depression. Pregnenolone is abundant in the brain where it improves the transmission of nerve impulses and facilitates communication between brain cells. In a sense, people who are depressed may have poor communication, neuronally speaking, between the different parts of their brain because they are deficient in pregnenolone.
Diagnosis and Tests
This hormone's level can be determined in the laboratory but it is an uncommon test. Many holistic doctors will test for it and other hormones with a urine sample.
On This Page
Low Pregnenolone:Signs, symptoms & indicators of Low Pregnenolone Level:
Symptoms - Metabolic
Symptoms - Mind - Emotional
Counter-indicators
Symptoms - Mind - General
Conditions that suggest Low Pregnenolone Level:
Mental
Depression
A study found that depressed patients generally had low levels of pregnenolone. [Biological Psychiatry, 35(10): pp.775-80, 1994]
Cluster Headaches
Those suffering from cluster headaches often have pregnenolone levels that are below normal.
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Risk factors for Low Pregnenolone Level:
Lab Values
Supplements, Medications, Drugs
Symptoms - Mind - Emotional
Symptoms - Skeletal
Recommendations for Low Pregnenolone Level:
Hormone
Laboratory Testing
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Weak or unproven link:
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Strong or generally accepted link:
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Strong counter-indication:
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Last updated: Oct 01, 2023