DHEA

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This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Used for	Amount	Why
Athletic Performance and Improved Strength in Older Men	100 mg daily	DHEA is a hormone that is used by the body to make the male sex hormone testosterone. In one double-blind trial, DHEA was effective for improving strength in older men.
Athletic Performance and Improved Strength in Older Men 100 mg daily Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that is used by the body to make the male sex hormone testosterone. In one double-blind trial, 100 mg per day of DHEA was effective for improving strength in older men,¹ but 50 mg per day was ineffective in a similar study of elderly men and women.² DHEA has not been effective for women or younger men in other studies.³^{, 4}

Used for	Amount	Why
Crohn’s Disease	Take under medical supervision: 200 mg daily	In a preliminary trial, six of seven people with Crohn’s disease went into remission after taking DHEA for eight weeks.
Crohn’s Disease Take under medical supervision: 200 mg daily In a preliminary trial, six of seven people with Crohn’s disease went into remission after taking 200 mg per day of DHEA for eight weeks.⁵ This large amount of DHEA has the potential to cause adverse side effects and should only be used under the supervision of a doctor. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Depression in Elderly People	Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner	Some studies have reported lower DHEA levels in depressed people. However, DHEA appears to be effective for only a minority of depressed people.
Depression in Elderly People Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner Some studies have reported lower DHEA levels in groups of depressed patients.⁶ However, this finding has not been consistent, and in one trial, severely depressed people were reported to show increases in blood levels of DHEA.⁷ Despite confusion regarding which depressed people might be DHEA-deficient, most double-blind trials lasting at least six weeks have reported some success in treating people with depression. After six months using 50 mg DHEA per day, “a remarkable increase in perceived physical and psychological well-being” was reported in both men and women in one double-blind trial.⁸ After only six weeks, taking DHEA in levels up to 90 mg per day led to at least a 50% reduction in depression in five of 11 patients in another double-blind trial.⁹ Other researchers have reported dramatic reductions in depression at extremely high amounts of DHEA (90–450 mg per day) given for six weeks to adults who first became depressed after age 40 (in men) or at the time of menopause (in women) in a double-blind trial.¹⁰ Other double-blind research has shown that limiting supplementation to only two weeks is inadequate in treating people with depression.¹¹ Despite the somewhat dramatic results reported in clinical trials lasting at least six weeks, some experts claim that in clinical practice, DHEA appears to be effective for only a minority of depressed people.¹² Moreover, due to fears of potential side effects, most healthcare professionals remain concerned about the use of DHEA. Depressed people considering taking DHEA should consult a doctor well versed in the use of DHEA.

Used for	Amount	Why
Erectile Dysfunction	Take under medical supervision: 50 mg daily	Some men with erectile dysfunction have been reported to have low blood levels of DHEA. Supplementing with DHEA may improve erectile function and libido.
Erectile Dysfunction Take under medical supervision: 50 mg daily Low blood levels of the hormone DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) have been reported in some men with ED. In one double-blind trial, 40 men with low DHEA levels and ED were given 50 mg DHEA per day for six months.¹³ Significant improvement in both erectile function and interest in sex occurred in the men assigned to take DHEA, but not in those assigned to take placebo. No significant change occurred in testosterone levels or in factors that could affect the prostate gland. Experts have concerns about the safe use of DHEA, particularly because long-term safety data do not exist. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
HIV and AIDS Support	200 to 500 mg daily	Large amounts of supplemental DHEA may alleviate fatigue in HIV-positive people.
HIV and AIDS Support 200 to 500 mg daily A deficient level of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in the blood is associated with poor outcomes in people with HIV.¹⁴ Large amounts of supplemental DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) may alleviate fatigue and depression in HIV-positive men and women. In a preliminary trial, men and women with HIV infection took 200–500 mg of DHEA per day for eight weeks.¹⁵ All participants initially had both low mood and low energy. After eight weeks of DHEA supplementation, 72% of the participants reported their mood to be “much improved” or “very much improved,” and 81% reported having significant improvements in energy level. DHEA supplementation had no effect on CD4 cell (helper T-cell) counts or testosterone levels. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Lupus	Take under medical supervision: 50 to 200 mg daily	Treatment with DHEA may improve symptoms and decrease disease activity.
Lupus Take under medical supervision: 50 to 200 mg daily Low blood levels of the hormone DHEA and the related compound DHEA-sulfate have been associated with more severe symptoms in people with SLE.¹⁶ Preliminary trials have suggested that 50 to 200 mg per day DHEA improved symptoms in people with SLE.¹⁷ ^{, 18} One double-blind trial of women with mild to moderate SLE found that 200 mg of DHEA per day improved symptoms and allowed a greater decrease in prednisone use,¹⁹ but a similar trial in women with severe SLE found only insignificant benefits.²⁰ Experts have concerns about the use of DHEA, particularly because there are no long-term safety data. Side effects at high intakes (50 to 200 mg per day) in one 12-month trial included acne (in over 50% of people), increased facial hair (18%), and increased perspiration (8%). Less common problems reported with DHEA supplementation were breast tenderness, weight gain, mood alteration, headache, oily skin, and menstrual irregularity.²¹ High amounts of DHEA have caused cancer in animals.²² ^{, 23} Although anticancer effects of DHEA have also been reported,²⁴ they involve trials using animals that do not process DHEA the way humans do, so these positive effects may have no relevance for people. Links have begun to appear between higher DHEA levels and risks of prostate cancer in humans.²⁵ At least one person with prostate cancer has been reported to have had a worsening of his cancer despite feeling better while taking very high amounts (up to 700 mg per day) of DHEA.²⁶ While younger women with breast cancer may have low levels of DHEA, postmenopausal women with breast cancer appear to have high levels of DHEA, which has researchers concerned.²⁷ These cancer concerns make sense because DHEA is a precursor to testosterone (linked to prostate cancer) and estrogen (linked to breast cancer). Until more is known, it would be prudent for people with breast or prostate cancer or a family history of these conditions to avoid supplementing with DHEA. Preliminary evidence has also linked higher DHEA levels to ovarian cancer in women.²⁸ Some doctors recommend that people taking DHEA have liver enzymes measured routinely. Anecdotes of DHEA supplementation (of at least 25 mg per day) leading to heart arrhythmias have appeared.²⁹ At only 25 mg per day, DHEA has lowered HDL cholesterol while increasing insulin-like growth factor (IGF).³⁰ Decreasing HDL could increase the risk of heart disease. Increasing IGF might increase the risk of breast cancer. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Osteoporosis	Take under medical supervision: 50 mg per day	DHEA may be helpful in preventing osteoporosis. In one trial, bone mineral density increased among healthy elderly women and men who were given DHEA.
Osteoporosis Take under medical supervision: 50 mg per day In a preliminary trial, bone mineral density increased among healthy elderly women and men who were given 50 mg per day of DHEA as a supplement.³¹ Similar results were found in two one-year double-blind trials that used 50 mg of DHEA per day.³² ^{, 33} ^{, 34} It is not known if supplementation would have the same effect in people with established osteoporosis. DHEA is a steroid hormone, and should be used only under the supervision of a doctor. DHEA is a steroid hormone, and should be used only under the supervision of a doctor. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Ulcerative Colitis	Take under medical supervision: 200 mg daily	In one trial, 6 of 13 people with ulcerative colitis went into remission after taking supplementing with DHEA.
Ulcerative Colitis Take under medical supervision: 200 mg daily In a preliminary trial, 6 of 13 people with ulcerative colitis went into remission after taking 200 mg per day of DHEA for eight weeks.³⁵ This large amount of DHEA has the potential to cause adverse side effects and should only be used under the supervision of a doctor. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Alzheimer’s Disease	Refer to label instructions	People with Alzheimer’s disease may have low DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) levels, and supplementation may improve mental performance.
Alzheimer’s Disease Most,³⁶ ^{, 37} ^{, 38} ^{, 39} but not all,⁴⁰ ^{, 41} studies have found that people with Alzheimer’s disease have lower blood DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) levels than do people without the condition. Emerging evidence suggests a possible benefit of DHEA supplementation in people with Alzheimer’s disease. In one double-blind trial, participants who took 50 mg twice daily for six months had significantly better mental performance at the three-month mark than those taking placebo. At six months, statistically significant differences between the two groups were not seen, but results still favored DHEA.⁴² In another clinical trial, massive amounts of DHEA (1,600 mg per day for four weeks) failed to improve mental function or mood in elderly people with or without Alzheimer’s disease.⁴³ It is likely that the amount of DHEA used in this trial was far in excess of an appropriate amount, illustrating that more is not always better. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome	Refer to label instructions	DHEA is a hormone that has been found to be low in some people with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone now available as a supplement. In one report, DHEA levels were found to be low in people with CFS.⁴⁴ Another research group reported that, while DHEA levels were normal in a group of CFS patients, the ability of these people to increase their DHEA level in response to hormonal stimulation was impaired.⁴⁵ Whether supplementation with DHEA might help CFS patients remains unknown due to the lack of controlled research. DHEA should not be used without the supervision of a healthcare professional. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Immune Function	Refer to label instructions	Supplementing with the hormone DHEA may improve immune functioning.
Immune Function The hormone DHEA affects immunity. In a controlled trial, a group of elderly men with low DHEA levels who were given a high level of DHEA (50 mg per day) for 20 weeks, experienced a significant activation of immune function.⁴⁶ Postmenopausal women have also shown increased immune functioning in just three weeks when given DHEA in double-blind research.⁴⁷ Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Menopause	Refer to label instructions	DHEA improves the response of brain chemicals (endorphins), which are involved in sensations of pleasure and pain. Supplementing with it may improve mood symptoms.
Menopause Aging in women is characterized by a progressive decline in blood DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) and DHEA-sulfate (DHEAS) levels. These levels can be restored with DHEA supplementation. This process also improves the response of some brain chemicals, called endorphins, to certain drugs.⁴⁸ These endorphins are involved in sensations of pleasure and pain; improving their response may explain why DHEA has an effect on mood symptoms associated with menopause. In one double-blind trial, however, menopausal women who took 50 mg of DHEA per day for three months had no improvement in symptoms compared with women taking placebo.⁴⁹ Further study is needed to validate a role for DHEA in the management of menopausal symptoms. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Obesity	Refer to label instructions	DHEA has been shown to help decrease body fat in men.
Obesity One double-blind trial found 100 mg per day of DHEA was effective for decreasing body fat in older men,⁵⁰ and another double-blind trial found 1,600 mg per day decreased body fat and increased muscle mass in younger men,⁵¹. However, DHEA has not been effective for improving body composition in women or in other studies of men.⁵² ^{, 53} ^{, 54} ^{, 55} ^{, 56} ^{, 57} ^{, 58} ^{, 59} Learn More

Also indexed as:

dehydroepiandrosterone,
DHEA,
Prasterone

About this treatment

How to Use It

Most people do not need to supplement DHEA. The question of who should take this hormone remains controversial. Some experts believe that daily intakes of 5–15 mg of DHEA for women and 10–30 mg for men are appropriate amounts for people with deficient blood levels of DHEA or DHEAS. While a few researchers suggest supplementation with as much as 50 mg per day in postmenopausal women, others consider this level excessive. People should consult a doctor to have DHEA levels monitored before and during supplementation. Healthy people with normal blood levels of DHEA or DHEAS should not take this hormone until more is known about its effects. However, some doctors recommend DHEA supplementation for selected people with depression, autoimmune diseases, or other problems, even if their blood levels are normal.

People with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been shown to improve after taking 100–200 mg per day of DHEA. Such large amounts should never be taken without medical supervision.

Discrepancies between label claims and actual DHEA content of DHEA supplements have been reported. Regrettably, the authors of this report failed to identify which brands were properly labeled and which were not.

Where to Find It

DHEA is produced by the adrenal glands. A synthetic form of this hormone is also available as a supplement in tablet, capsule, liquid, and sublingual form. Some products claim to contain “natural” DHEA precursors from wild yam. However, the body cannot convert these substances into DHEA (although a series of reactions in a laboratory can make the conversion).

Possible Deficiencies

Meaningful levels of DHEA do not appear in food, and therefore dietary deficiency does not exist. Some people, however, may not synthesize enough DHEA. DHEA levels peak in early adulthood and then start a lifelong descent. By the age of 60, DHEA levels are only about 5–15% of what they were at their peak at younger ages. Whether the lower level associated with age represents a deficiency or a normal part of aging that should not be tampered with remains unknown.

People with true adrenal insufficiency (i.e., Addison’s Disease; not the hypothetical adrenal “fatigue” or “burnout” that is sometimes incorrectly referred to as “insufficiency”) have below normal levels of DHEA. When women with adrenal insufficiency were treated with 50 mg of DHEA every morning for three or four months, their DHEA and DHEAS levels returned to normal, with a simultaneous improvement in well-being and sexuality.

Some studies have reported lower DHEA levels in groups of depressed patients. However, in one trial, severely depressed people were reported to show increases in blood levels of DHEA. Despite these contradictory findings, a few clinical trials suggest that at least some people who are depressed may benefit from DHEA supplementation. (See “What does it do?” above for more information about use of DHEA supplements in the treatment of depression.)

People with multi-infarct dementia (deterioration of mental functions resulting from multiple small strokes) may have lower than normal DHEAS levels, according to a preliminary trial. In this trial, intravenous injection of 200 mg per day of DHEAS for four weeks increased DHEAS levels and improved some aspects of mental function and performance of daily activities.

People infected with HIV and those with insulin-dependent diabetes, congestive heart failure,multiple sclerosis, asthma,chronic fatigue syndrome,rheumatoid arthritis,osteoporosis, and a host of other conditions have been reported to have low levels of DHEA in most, but not all, studies. In most cases, the meaning of this apparent deficiency is not well understood.

Men under 60 years of age with erectile dysfunction have been found to have lower DHEAS levels than men without the condition. (See “What does it do?” above for more information about use of DHEA supplements in the treatment of men with erectile dysfunction.)

Most, but not all, studies have found that people with Alzheimer’s disease have lower blood DHEAS levels than do people without the condition.

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Last Review: 05-11-2011

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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.

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