Rankings / Hormones & Endocrine
DHEA
Hormones & Endocrine · Adrenal steroid precursor
Tier B-
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades DHEA as B- (6.0/10) based on moderate evidence, low-med benefit magnitude, and a low-med-risk safety profile.
Much higher-dose supplementation popular in biohacker circles than evidence supports.
Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: 5-50 mg/day PO (general biohacker); 25-50 mg/day for adrenal insufficiency; 6. — OTC (US); Rx in most other countries; not individualized guidance.
What the evidence says
Much higher-dose supplementation popular in biohacker circles than evidence supports. Lab testing (DHEA-S) useful to guide dosing. Vaginal prasterone FDA-approved for dyspareunia in postmenopausal women (Intrarosa). Men with low DHEA see inconsistent response to supplementation.
Mechanism
Endogenous adrenal steroid; peripherally converted to androgens and estrogens in target tissues; levels peak in 20s and decline steeply with age; weak direct receptor activity
Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route
5-50 mg/day PO (general biohacker); 25-50 mg/day for adrenal insufficiency; 6.5 mg vaginal (Intrarosa)
This records doses and routes described in studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use. It is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety; context changes with indication, formulation, health history, monitoring, and other medicines.
Citations
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Common questions
- What does the evidence show about DHEA's effects?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for DHEA as Moderate and the benefit magnitude as low-med, producing an overall grade of B- (6.0/10). Much higher-dose supplementation popular in biohacker circles than evidence supports.
- What safety findings are reported for DHEA?
- DHEA has a low-med risk profile in the database. Low-Med (androgenic effects — acne, oily skin, hair; estrogenic effects depending on individual; hormone-sensitive cancer caution) Legal status: OTC (US); Rx in most other countries.
- What doses or routes are reported for DHEA?
- 5-50 mg/day PO (general biohacker); 25-50 mg/day for adrenal insufficiency; 6.5 mg vaginal (Intrarosa) This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
- How does DHEA work?
- Endogenous adrenal steroid; peripherally converted to androgens and estrogens in target tissues; levels peak in 20s and decline steeply with age; weak direct receptor activity
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.