What does DHEA do?

DHEA is the raw material your body uses to make sex hormones. Your adrenal glands produce it, and then your tissues convert it into testosterone, estrogen, and other hormones as needed. It's like a universal adapter — your body takes it and makes what it needs.

The problem is that production peaks around age 25 and then drops steadily — about 2–3% per year. By the time you're 60, you're running on a fraction of what you had in your 20s. This contributes to the decline in energy, muscle mass, bone density, and libido that comes with ageing.

What can you expect?

• More energy — less fatigue, better resilience through the day
• Improved mood — DHEA supports serotonin and dopamine pathways
• Better body composition — supports lean mass and fat metabolism
• Higher libido — especially in women with low androgen levels
• Stronger bones — DHEA supports bone mineral density, particularly in postmenopausal women

How to take it

Start low: Begin at the lower end and retest after 6–8 weeks. You're targeting the upper-normal range for your age, not supraphysiological levels.

Form matters: Oral micronised DHEA is the standard form. Some women prefer 7-Keto DHEA, which doesn't convert to sex hormones — useful if androgen side effects are a concern.

Dosing by age

These are starting ranges. Your actual dose should be guided by your DHEA-S blood test, not just your age.

Frequently Asked Questions

How it works in your body

DHEA is produced primarily in the adrenal cortex and, to a lesser extent, in the gonads. It circulates mainly as DHEA-S (the sulfated storage form) and is converted peripherally into androgens and estrogens by tissue-specific enzymes — a process called intracrinology.

This means different tissues take DHEA and make what they need locally: muscle tissue may convert it to testosterone for protein synthesis, while bone tissue may produce estrogen for bone mineral density. This local conversion is why DHEA affects so many systems without flooding the entire body with a single hormone.

What the studies show

• Bone density: 50 mg/day for 12 months increased bone mineral density at the spine and hip in older adults (JAMA, 2004)
• Body composition: Reduced visceral fat and improved insulin sensitivity in elderly men and women
• Mood: Improvements in depression scores and well-being, particularly in women with adrenal insufficiency
• Immune function: Enhanced immune response to influenza vaccination in older adults
• Cognitive: Mixed results — some studies show memory improvements in older adults, others show no effect

Side effects & safety

DHEA is a hormone, not just a supplement — treat it with the same respect you'd give any hormonal intervention:

• Acne and oily skin — The most common side effect, from androgen conversion. More pronounced at higher doses and in women.
• Hair changes — Women may experience facial hair growth or scalp hair thinning. Men rarely have this issue.
• Mood shifts — Irritability, anxiety, or restlessness at doses above 50 mg. Lower doses rarely cause this.
• Hormonal cascade — DHEA converts to both testosterone and estrogen. In men, excessive doses can paradoxically increase estrogen. In women, excessive doses can cause androgenic effects.
• Liver — Rare at standard doses, but very high doses can stress the liver. Monitor liver enzymes if taking more than 50 mg.

Who should skip it: Anyone with hormone-sensitive cancers (breast, prostate, ovarian), people under 35 with normal DHEA-S levels, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and anyone on hormone therapy without medical guidance.

Which labs to check

Essential blood work before starting and at 6–8 weeks:

• DHEA-S — the primary marker to guide dosing
• Testosterone (total and free) — to track downstream conversion
• Estradiol (E2) — make sure estrogen isn't rising too much (especially men)
• PSA (men) — baseline and follow-up since DHEA can influence prostate markers

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