DHEA, short for dehydroepiandrosterone, is an important hormone that is produced naturally by the adrenal glands in both men and women. What does DHEA do? This versatile hormone plays many key roles related to our health and wellbeing:
- DHEA levels peak during our 20s and 30s, after which they decline with age. Maintaining healthy DHEA levels as we get older can help support energy, immunity, cognition, and more.
- It serves as a precursor to male and female sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen. DHEA contributes to libido, sexual function, bone density, and body composition.
- Emerging research suggests DHEA has potent anti-aging and disease prevention effects due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. DHEA supplementation may help protect against heart disease, diabetes, depression, inflammation and even certain cancers.
But DHEA isn’t just important as we get older. This vital hormone plays crucial roles for adults of all ages:
- Supports healthy immune function and resistance to viruses and infections
- Contributes to efficient fat burning and lean muscle growth
- Encourages healthy bone density to prevent osteoporosis
- Boosts energy, motivation and cognitive function
- Balances mood and alleviates feelings of anxiety or sadness
The takeaway?
DHEA levels serve as an important biomarker of overall health and fitness. That’s why more and more anti-aging and integrative medical doctors like
Hormone Health Institute test patient’s DHEA on top of other hormones like cortisol, thyroid and sex hormones.
At Hormone Health Institute, we specialize in precision hormone balancing to slow aging, boost immunity, enhance cognition and optimize patients' health using cutting edge testing and personalized treatment plans. If low DHEA is impacting your vitality, we're here to help!
Now you may be wondering,
how do I know if my DHEA levels are low? Signs may include:
- Low energy, productivity and "zest for life"
- Weight gain, especially increased belly fat
- Feeling "foggy," poor concentration
- Loss of interest in ?sex or changed libido
- More mood swings, anxiety or sadness
- Slow recovery from exercise or illness
- Loss of muscle mass and bone density
If this sounds like you,
DHEA testing can provide objective data about your levels. Hormone Health Institute offers at-home blood spot DHEA tests for screening and ongoing monitoring of levels.
Optimizing your DHEA - along with nutrition, exercise and stress management - is key for supporting whole body health. Our integrative doctors and health coaches take a holistic approach to identify the root causes of hormone dysfunction and create fully customized treatment plans.
We'd love to see if we can help bring your DHEA levels back up to improve energy, immunity, sexual health, mood and vitality.
Visit to learn more or book a consultation today to discover your personalized path to hormone balance and better health!