dhea
What is DHEA?
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a natural hormone made mostly by your adrenal glands, which sit on top of your kidneys.
Think of DHEA as a building block hormone — your body uses it to make other important hormones like estrogen and testosterone.
Levels of DHEA are highest in early adulthood and gradually decline with age, especially after menopause.
What DHEA Does
DHEA in made in the adrenal glands and acts as a precursor hormone, your body converts it into estrogen and testosterone. Because of this, it can influence energy levels, mood, muscle mass, libido, and overall hormonal balance.
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When DHEA is too high, it can contribute to acne, oily skin, hair thinning on the scalp, unwanted facial hair, irritability, or cycle irregularities.
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Balance matters, and levels should be interpreted in the context of symptoms and overall hormone patterns.
When DHEA is Too LOW
When DHEA is too low, people may experience fatigue, low libido, decreased muscle tone, or reduced resilience to stress. Levels naturally decline with age.
Ways to support better adrenal health include:
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Consistent sleep (7–9 hours; regular bedtime/wake time)
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Resistance training without overtraining
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Adequate protein intake
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Blood sugar stability (avoid frequent spikes/crashes)
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Stress regulation practices (breathwork, mindfulness, structured downtime)
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Addressing thyroid dysfunction if present
DHEA supplementation (when clinically appropriate):
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Typical starting dose for women: 5–10 mg daily but depends on labs and could be given in much higher doses depending on symptoms.
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Best taken in the morning
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Levels should be rechecked after 6–8 weeks to avoid symptoms of acne, hair changes, or irritability
When DHEA is too High
In menopause, DHEA levels naturally decline — but in some women they may remain relatively elevated or appear high on labs.
If DHEA is elevated after menopause, it warrants closer evaluation because ovarian production has largely ceased and adrenal production becomes the primary source. Mild elevations may be related to:
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Chronic physiologic stress
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Insulin resistance or metabolic dysfunction
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Supplement use (intentional or hidden in “hormone support” products)
More significant elevations require evaluation for:
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PCOS history persisting into menopause
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Adrenal overproduction
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Rare adrenal tumors
Management in menopause focuses on:
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Discontinuing unnecessary DHEA supplementation
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Improving metabolic health and insulin sensitivity
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Addressing chronic stress patterns
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Further endocrine workup if levels are markedly high or rapidly rising
Because postmenopausal androgen excess can increase cardiovascular and metabolic risk, persistent elevations should not be ignored.