DHEA-S
DHEA-S is your body’s most abundant hormone — and it drops 80–90% from its peak by age 70. This test shows where you are on the decline curve, and whether supplementing makes sense for you.
DHEA-S is made by your adrenal glands and serves as the raw material for both testosterone and estrogen. It peaks around age 25–30, then drops about 2% per year. Low DHEA-S with high cortisol is a classic pattern in stressed, overworked individuals — and it’s very common in urban India.
What is the DHEA-S test?
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone your adrenal glands make in large quantities. Most of it circulates as the sulfate form — DHEA-S — which is more stable and easier to measure. Your body uses DHEA as a building block for testosterone and estrogen, converting it in tissues as needed.
What makes DHEA-S interesting from an aging perspective: it undergoes one of the steepest, most consistent declines of any hormone. By 70, most people have only 10–20% of their peak levels. Whether this decline drives aging or merely reflects it is still debated — but maintaining upper-range levels appears beneficial.
What your number means
| Age | Men (µg/dL) | Women (µg/dL) | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25–35 | 200–430 | 130–380 | Upper half |
| 35–45 | 150–370 | 100–320 | Upper half |
| 45–55 | 110–310 | 70–270 | Upper half; consider supplementing if lower third |
| 55–65 | 80–240 | 50–200 | Supplementation commonly appropriate below mid-range |
| 65+ | 35–170 | 20–130 | Supplementation often beneficial with physician oversight |
How to improve it
Men: 10–25mg DHEA orally, morning with food. Start at 10mg. Women: 5–10mg — women are more sensitive to androgen conversion. Retest DHEA-S and testosterone at 6 weeks.
If you want metabolic benefits without sex hormone conversion, use 7-Keto DHEA (25–100mg/day) instead — it doesn’t convert to testosterone or estrogen. Always test before supplementing — PCOS patients and those with hormone-sensitive conditions need physician oversight.
Want to track your DHEA-S?
eterni tracks DHEA-S alongside cortisol and testosterone — so you can see the full hormonal picture, not just one number.
Get early accessFrequently Asked Questions
What is a normal DHEA-S level by age?
DHEA-S is highly age-dependent. For men 35–45: 150–370 µg/dL. Women run about 60–80% of male values. The goal is upper half of your age range — don’t compare yourself to a 25-year-old’s reference range.
Should I take DHEA supplements?
Only if your DHEA-S is in the lower third of your age range and you have symptoms (fatigue, low libido, poor stress resilience). Test first. Start low. Retest at 6 weeks. Avoid without physician guidance if you have hormone-sensitive conditions.
Does DHEA increase testosterone?
It can — DHEA is a testosterone precursor. The effect is more consistent in older individuals with low DHEA-S. In younger men with normal testosterone, the impact may be minimal. Test both DHEA-S and testosterone to track response.
What’s the difference between DHEA and 7-Keto DHEA?
Regular DHEA converts to testosterone and estrogen. 7-Keto DHEA does not — it provides metabolic benefits (improved thyroid function, thermogenesis, immune support) without sex hormone conversion. Choose 7-Keto if you want the metabolic benefits without hormonal effects.
The cortisol:DHEA-S ratio
Chronic stress elevates cortisol and depletes DHEA-S over time. The ratio between these two gives insight into your HPA axis balance: a high ratio (high cortisol, low DHEA-S) indicates stress-driven hormonal imbalance with a catabolic, pro-inflammatory state. This pattern is extremely common in high-stress Indian urban professionals.
How it’s measured
A morning blood draw. DHEA-S is stable throughout the day (unlike cortisol), so timing is less critical — but morning is preferred. Available at all major Indian labs for ₹500–1,000.
India-specific context
High-stress urban professionals working long hours with poor sleep commonly show low DHEA-S alongside elevated cortisol. This imbalance is measurable, meaningful, and reversible with lifestyle changes and targeted supplementation.
Connected supplements
DHEA (5–25mg/day depending on sex) if levels are low. 7-Keto DHEA for metabolic benefits without sex hormone conversion. Ashwagandha addresses the cortisol side of the equation. Managing stress and sleep is the foundation.
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eterni connects your lab results, supplements, and retests — so you can see the trajectory, not just a snapshot.
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