DHEA Levels

DHEA or dehydroepiandrosterone is a steroid produced by the body itself. It is produced by adrenal glands, gonads and the brain. Brand names of DHEA supplements include Prastera, Prasterone, Fidelin and Fluasterone and identical generics are available over the counter without a prescription. Before taking DHEA supplements, you need to check your existing DHEA levels and levels of other hormones, through a blood test.

DHEA is carried through the bloodstream to tissues and cells. Our body uses cholesterol as the basic material to produce all the steroid hormones. DHEA is present abundantly in the blood of young adult humans. When DHEA, the wonder drug is taken in the form of supplements, some of it will circulate in the blood as DHEA, but the majority (90% or more) will circulate as DHEAS, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. Practically, measurement of DHEAS is preferred to DHEA, as DHEAS levels are more stable. DHEA is produced by the body in the morning, so DHEA levels reach their peak in the early morning hours. The levels decline quite rapidly during the day as DHEA is quickly cleared by the kidneys. This hormone plays an important role in your physiological functions and no one can survive without it. There is much confusion regarding true DHEA naturally produced by the body, and the synthetic DHEA. Let us first have a look at DHEA functions.

DHEA Functions

• DHEA can block the growth of carcinogens.
• It works as an effective anti-obesity agent.
• It prevents aging.
• The serious health hazards such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and chronic fatigue, all have one thing in common and that is low DHEA levels.
• The hormone helps sharpen memory. It enhances the function of the immune system
• It boosts your energy levels, it offers you smooth and glowing skin, it rejuvenates tired muscles.
• The miraculous hormone helps maintain cardiovascular health, accelerate weight loss, and helps increase HDL.
• It is known as the 'mother hormone' since it is converted into other hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, melatonin, and most other hormones, as per requirement (if levels of these other hormones are found low).

Let us see why the levels of DHEA decrease or increase.

DHEA Levels

The levels of the hormone DHEA decrease sharply with age, falling 90% from age 20 to age 90. But many other factors are also responsible for scarcity of DHEA in the body. For example, when exposed to massive amounts of electricity, your DHEA can be drained to very dangerously low levels. Too much vitamin C can strip the body of nutrients, minerals, amino acids, and also DHEA.

Natural progesterone plays an important role in the production and maintenance of healthy, normal DHEA levels. DHEA receives the substance it needs, from progesterone, and progesterone obtains the substance it needs, from the cells. It is observed that when progesterone levels are healthy, levels of DHEA are also healthy. It should be noted that progesterone is a vital hormone that plays a key role in the health of both men and women.

Normal DHEA levels are 25 - 220 mol/L, or 1.9 - 7.6 ng/ml. Declining health, chronic fatigue, reduced underarm or pubic hair growth, balding lower legs, difficulty losing weight, loss of memory, low energy, low stamina, mood swings during menstruation cycles, clogged arteries, low sex drive, joint pain are some of the main symptoms of low DHEA. Stress, autoimmune diseases like lupus and AIDS, hypoglycemia, menopause, poly cystic ovarian syndrome, cancers may accelerate loss of DHEA. It has been observed that men who die of heart disease generally have significantly less DHEA than others of the same age. Similarly, people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and with many types of cancer generally have below-normal age-adjusted DHEA levels.

Girls with premature puberty are likely to have elevated levels of the hormone DHEA. People who take more than 25 mg DHEA per day may have high DHEA. They should have their DHEA or DHEA sulfate checked occasionally and consult their physician to avoid serious health hazards. It is believed that a 25 mg per day dosage of DHEA is almost totally without risk of side effects, and is therefore recommended for substantial increase in DHEA, for most people.

DHEA Levels in Women

High dosage of DHEA in women increases androgen (male sex hormone) levels in women, leading to increased facial hair or increased acne. Modest increase in male hormone can help increase libido. In fact, many women opt for DHEA mainly for its testosterone-enhancing effects. Extremely high dosage of DHEA may dangerously limit the heart rate response to exercise, in both men and women. So, dangers of DHEA should be taken into consideration while taking DHEA supplements.

How to Lower DHEA Levels

High DHEA may result in fatigue, weight gain, low blood pressure, acne, loss of libido, menstrual irregularities, infertility and even miscarriages. High DHEA levels are usually found in people suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. Following steps may help lower the levels.

• Stop taking any exogenous steroids or glucocorticoids. Such drugs are prescribed to people diagnosed with asthma and arthritis, or for immunosuppression following surgery. People taking these drugs, need to consult their doctor.
• Over the counter remedies like Relora, a stress-relieving supplement, approved by the Food and Drug Administration, can be taken, but you should monitor your DHEA levels and check whether it is really working or not.
• Consult an endocrinologist. He will check the levels of the hormone DHEA, will find out the causes of elevated levels and will prescribe the supplement or medication.

Though DHEA supplements are available over the counter, it is always safe to consult your health care provider before opting for the supplements. Wrong dosage or excessive consumption of these supplements may result in side effects.