DHEA
Hormones · Adrenal steroid precursor
Tier B-
What this is
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
Dose & route
5-50 mg/day PO (general biohacker); 25-50 mg/day for adrenal insufficiency; 6.5 mg vaginal (Intrarosa)
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17018650/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16478870/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6267323/
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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.