Dehydro-3-epiandrosterone
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Dayana Davidis, M.D. [2]
Overview
Dehydro-3-epiandrosterone or dehydroepiandrosterone or DHEA is the main secretory product of the suprarenal cortex. The physiologic significance of DHEA is not yet proven and supplementation is not yet approved by FDA.
Physiology
Production
Dehydroepiandrosterone or DHEA is secreted by the adrenal glands, which convert it from the hormone pregnenolone, a hormone secreted in the brain that is converted from cholesterol. DHEA is the basic hormone that the adrenal cortex uses to synthesise all the sex hormones including testosterone, progesterone and oestrogen and the stress hormone cortisol. It is the most abundant hormone in the body, however by age 40 its production deceases by half its peak age, 20, by age 75 it drops to 10 percent its peak.
All studies to date were not conclusive enough to prove that supplementation with DHEA would help increase its production in humans, animals studies have shown promise however humans metabolise DHEA differently than animals
Effects And Uses
DHEA is a hormone of the androgen family and it is secreted by the adrenal gland. A number of ongoing studies are conducted to link low levels of DHEA to premature ageing, low immunity, low and weak muscle mass, joint pain and arthritis pain, low energy, low stamina and even to fertility problems in women, impaired thinking in elderly and progression of Alzheimer's.
Claims have been found to link low levels of DHEA to obesity, metabolic syndrome, abnormal cholesterol levels and increased waistline. However studies were inconclusive to prove that supplementation with DHEA will help increase its production in humans.
Differential Diagnosis
DHEA is converted to testosterone in women and to oestrogen in men.
Testing for adrenal imbalance would indicate a reduced DHEA.
Decreased
Increased
- Adrenal cortex tumors
- Adrenogenital Syndrome
- Androgen-producing tumor
- Hirsutism
- Hyperprolactinemia
- Ovarian cancer
- Polycystic ovaries [1] [2]
References
Acknowledgements
The content on this page was first contributed by Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [3]
List of contributors: