Some women can have changes in menstrual cycle, facial hair growth, and a deeper voice after taking DHEA. DHEA is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in high doses or long-term. Do not use DHEA in doses higher than 50-100 mg a day or for a long period of time.

Besides, When should I take DHEA day or night?

Talk to your doctor to find the right dose for you. Higher doses have been used to treat lupus. People with lupus should not take DHEA without first talking to their doctor. Your body makes DHEA primarily in the morning, so taking DHEA in the morning will mimic this natural rhythm.

Keeping this in mind, What is a normal DHEA level for females? Normal blood levels of DHEA-sulfate can differ by sex and age. Typical normal ranges for females are: Ages 18 to 19: 145 to 395 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or 3.92 to 10.66 micromoles per liter (µmol/L) Ages 20 to 29: 65 to 380 µg/dL or 1.75 to 10.26 µmol/L.

How much does DHEA increase testosterone?

Taking a DHEA may increase your testosterone levels. A 2013 study found that taking 50 milligrams (mg) of DHEA per day raised the free testosterone levels of middle-aged adults undergoing high-intensity interval training.

Is DHEA bad for your kidneys?

DHEA treatment was not beneficial to renal tissue, since it reduced the glomerular filtration rate and renal medulla metabolism, while increasing the urinary excretion of TGF-β(1) and the compensatory response by the glutathione system, probably due to a mechanism involving a pro-oxidant action or a pro-fibrotic effect …

Does DHEA affect sleep?

During sleep, DHEA is low to reduce stimulation of the CNS, so sleep may occur. (DHEA is high during the day to maintain consciousness.) If the amount of DHEA during sleep is reduced too much during NREM sleep, negative phenomena may occur.

Can DHEA be taken on an empty stomach?

As a result, you can get benefit from your pills regardless of whether you take them with meals or on an empty stomach. Q: Is DHEA a safe way to increase testosterone and improve libido?

Does DHEA cause weight gain?

May increase the risk of developing prostate, breast, ovarian, uterine, or cervical cancer and malignant melanoma or other hormonally-affected cancers. Hormonal side effects can be significant, including acne, skin changes, excess hair or hair loss, increased sweating, and weight gain.

What is considered a high DHEA level?

Mild elevations in adults are usually idiopathic, but levels of 600 mcg/dL or more can suggest the presence of an androgen-secreting adrenal tumor. DHEA-S levels are elevated in more than 90% of patients with such tumors, usually well above 600 mcg/dL.

What are the symptoms of low DHEA?


Symptoms of low levels of DHEAS may include the following signs of an adrenal gland disorder:

  • Unexplained weight loss.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Dizziness.
  • Dehydration.
  • Craving for salt.

What are the symptoms of too much DHEA?


Here are some of the symptoms of high DHEA levels:

  • Hirsutism (excess hair growth and male hair growth patterns)
  • Hair loss.
  • Aggressive behavior.
  • Irritability.
  • Trouble sleeping.
  • Acne and/or oily skin.

Does DHEA convert testosterone?

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a steroid hormone available in supplement form that is sometimes used to increase testosterone levels. Produced naturally by the adrenal glands, DHEA is converted by the body into testosterone and other sex hormones.

How long does it take DHEA to work?

How long does it take for DHEA to work? This one of the most common questions that I receive from women about DHEA supplementation or any hormone replacement. Of course, we all want a quick fix, but I coach women to give DHEA supplementation around 3 months, or three full menstrual cycles, to observe any changes.

Is DHEA worth taking?

A small study suggested that taking DHEA supplements might improve skin hydration and firmness, and decrease aging spots in elderly adults. Depression. DHEA might be more effective at treating depression than placebo, especially in people with low DHEA levels.

What are the risks of taking DHEA?


Possible side effects of DHEA supplements can include:

  • Oily skin and acne, as well as skin thickening.
  • Hair loss.
  • Stomach upset.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Changes in menstrual cycle.
  • Facial hair in women.
  • Deepening of the voice in women.
  • Fatigue.

Can DHEA be harmful?

DHEA might reduce high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good,” cholesterol levels. Use of DHEA also might worsen psychiatric disorders and increase the risk of mania in people who have mood disorders. DHEA also might cause oily skin, acne and unwanted, male-pattern hair growth in women (hirsutism).

Is DHEA hard on the liver?

Liver problems: DHEA might make liver problems worse. Do not use DHEA if you have liver problems. Depression and mood disorders: DHEA might cause excitability, impulsiveness, and irritability in people with mood disorders.

Does DHEA help you sleep better?

DHEA administration induced a significant (P < 0.05) increase in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, whereas all other sleep variables remained unchanged compared with the placebo condition.

What hormone keeps you awake at night?

Melatonin is the hormone released by your brain to make you feel either sleepy at night time or awake during the day.

Which hormone is responsible for insomnia?

Melatonin, released by the pineal gland , controls your sleep patterns. Levels increase at night time, making you feel sleepy. While you’re sleeping, your pituitary gland releases growth hormone, which helps your body to grow and repair itself.

How long does DHEA take to work?

Of course, we all want a quick fix, but I coach women to give DHEA supplementation around 3 months, or three full menstrual cycles, to observe any changes. Since it takes an egg 90-120 days to fully develop, my fertility patients have seen improvements in just this short time frame.

How Does DHEA help with weight loss?

DHEA and Weight Loss

A version of DHEA supplement known as 7-Keto has been widely promoted as an aid for reducing body fat and raising metabolism. The idea is that leaner body tissue and higher metabolism will burn calories more efficiently, making it easier to not only lose weight but also keep it off.

How much DHEA should I take for weight loss?

How Much Is Usually Taken by Dieters? One double-blind trial found 100 mg per day of DHEA was effective for decreasing body fat in older men,1 and another double-blind trial found 1,600 mg per day decreased body fat and increased muscle mass in younger men.

What are the side effects of using DHEA?


Possible side effects of DHEA supplements can include:

  • Oily skin and acne, as well as skin thickening.
  • Hair loss.
  • Stomach upset.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Changes in menstrual cycle.
  • Facial hair in women.
  • Deepening of the voice in women.
  • Fatigue.

What does DHEA do for the female body?

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone that your body naturally produces in the adrenal gland. DHEA helps produce other hormones, including testosterone and estrogen. Natural DHEA levels peak in early adulthood and then slowly fall as you age.