Rankings / Hormones & Endocrine

DHEA

Hormones & Endocrine · Adrenal steroid precursor

Tier B-

Reviewed by Read Off Label · Last reviewed · How we grade

adrenal-precursorotc
6 / 10
Tier B-
Ev 6 Bn 3.5 Sf 7

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.

Typical use: 5-50 mg/day PO (general biohacker); 25-50 mg/day for adrenal insufficiency; 6. — OTC (US); Rx in most other countries.

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

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Common questions

Does DHEA work?
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.
Is DHEA safe?
DHEA has a low-med risk profile in published human data. Legal status: OTC (US); Rx in most other countries. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
What is the typical dose for DHEA?
5-50 mg/day PO (general biohacker); 25-50 mg/day for adrenal insufficiency; 6.5 mg vaginal (Intrarosa)
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.