DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a steroid hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands that acts as a building block for the body's sex hormones, including testosterone and estrogen. Production peaks in early adulthood and steadily declines with age, dropping by roughly 80% by age 70. It is one of the most abundant circulating steroid hormones in the body.
Expert Evidence
2 references from 2 experts
“You might look at markers like your cortisol to DHEA ratio. In those cases those markers will be off and that will indicate why you're having fatigue. However, you don't want to go take more of those supplements. These are a response to something else — systemic whole body fatigue. Those markers will resolve themselves without even taking any additional DHEA.”
How to Use & Interpret Blood Tests for High Performance | Perform with Dr. Andy Galpin
2:13:041 reference in 1 episode
Galpin recommends against supplementing with DHEA, explaining that an off cortisol-to-DHEA ratio indicates systemic whole-body fatigue rather than a DHEA deficiency. He states these markers will resolve on their own without additional supplementation. No personal use, dosing guidance, or specific study citations are provided.
“DHEA appears to increase female testosterone levels but not male testosterone, and there's no exercise performance benefits. So personally I don't take DHEA nor do I recommend it to my patients.”
These Testosterone Boosters ACTUALLY Work
8:281 reference in 1 episode from 2024
Brad Stanfield recommends against DHEA, stating it increases female but not male testosterone levels and offers no exercise performance benefits. He confirms he does not take it personally nor recommend it to patients. No dosing guidance, cautions about side effects, or discussion of other potential benefits (e.g., adrenal support, aging) are present.
Side Effects
- Acne or oily skin
- Hair loss in susceptible individuals
- Hormonal imbalance at high doses
- Mood changes or irritability