DHEA, short for dehydroepiandrosterone, is an important hormone that is produced naturally in the body by the adrenal glands. DHEA levels peak in our 20s and 30s, after which they steadily decline with age.
What does DHEA do?
As a precursor to other key hormones like estrogen and testosterone, DHEA has several important functions:
Some research suggests that maintaining healthy DHEA levels can reduce the risk of conditions like heart disease, depression, and even certain cancers.
DHEA supplements
Since DHEA declines naturally over time, taking DHEA supplements can often help restore youthful hormone levels and reap the benefits listed above.
However, it's important to have your DHEA levels tested before supplementing to ensure you actually need it. Taking excessive doses can lead to side effects like oily skin, hair loss and upset stomach.
This is why having an expert check your DHEA and other hormone levels is so important. The physicians at Revive Hormone Specialists specialize in natural hormone replacement therapy to get your levels optimized and relieve symptoms of aging.
What are the optimal DHEA levels?
There isn’t a universal “normal range” for DHEA levels because they vary significantly based on age and sex:
The doctors at Revive Hormone Specialists will analyze your symptoms along with your lab tests to determine if your current DHEA level is contributing to any health issues and if supplementation could help.
I hope this gives you a helpful overview explaining what DHEA is, its functions and effects in the body, how levels change over time, and how supplements or prescription DHEA from a clinic like Revive Hormone Specialists can potentially help optimize your hormone health! Let me know if you have any other questions.