Some studies have reported lower DHEA levels in groups of depressed patients.¹ However, this finding has not been consistent, and in one trial, severely depressed people were reported to show increases in blood levels of DHEA.²

Despite confusion regarding which depressed people might be DHEA-deficient, most double-blind trials lasting at least six weeks have reported some success in treating people with depression. After six months using 50 mg DHEA per day, “a remarkable increase in perceived physical and psychological well-being” was reported in both men and women in one double-blind trial.³ After only six weeks, taking DHEA in levels up to 90 mg per day led to at least a 50% reduction in depression in five of 11 patients in another double-blind trial.⁴

Other researchers have reported dramatic reductions in depression at extremely high amounts of DHEA (90–450 mg per day) given for six weeks to adults who first became depressed after age 40 (in men) or at the time of menopause (in women) in a double-blind trial.⁵ Other double-blind research has shown that limiting supplementation to only two weeks is inadequate in treating people with depression.⁶ Despite the somewhat dramatic results reported in clinical trials lasting at least six weeks, some experts claim that in clinical practice, DHEA appears to be effective for only a minority of depressed people.⁷ Moreover, due to fears of potential side effects, most healthcare professionals remain concerned about the use of DHEA. Depressed people considering taking DHEA should consult a doctor well versed in the use of DHEA.

Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a steroid hormone made in the adrenal gland. In addition to its role as a precursor for both testosterone and estrogen, DHEA may have independent functions that affect immune activity and metabolism. DHEA production declines with age, and low levels have been linked to a variety of health problems including higher body weight and percent body fat.^8,9 In a placebo-controlled trial that included 61 postmenopausal women with obesity, 100 mg per day of DHEA for three months resulted in greater weight loss and reductions in waist circumference, as well as improvements in blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and other metabolic parameters, compared to placebo.¹⁰ In another trial that included 125 elderly men and women, taking 50 mg of DHEA per day for 2 years decreased abdominal fat, improved glucose metabolism, and lowered levels of inflammatory chemicals.¹¹ A six-month placebo-controlled trial also found 50 mg of DHEA per day led to reduced abdominal fat and improved insulin sensitivity in elderly subjects with low DHEA levels.¹²

In a preliminary trial, bone mineral density increased among healthy elderly women and men who were given 50 mg per day of DHEA as a supplement.¹³ Similar results were found in two one-year double-blind trials that used 50 mg of DHEA per day.^14,15,16 It is not known if supplementation would have the same effect in people with established osteoporosis. DHEA is a steroid hormone, and should be used only under the supervision of a doctor.

 

In a preliminary trial, 6 of 13 people with ulcerative colitis went into remission after taking 200 mg per day of DHEA for eight weeks.¹⁷ This large amount of DHEA has the potential to cause adverse side effects and should only be used under the supervision of a doctor.

 

In a preliminary trial, six of seven people with Crohn’s disease went into remission after taking 200 mg per day of DHEA for eight weeks.¹⁸ This large amount of DHEA has the potential to cause adverse side effects and should only be used under the supervision of a doctor.

Low blood levels of the hormone DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) have been reported in some men with ED. In one double-blind trial, 40 men with low DHEA levels and ED were given 50 mg DHEA per day for six months.¹⁹ Significant improvement in both erectile function and interest in sex occurred in the men assigned to take DHEA, but not in those assigned to take placebo. No significant change occurred in testosterone levels or in factors that could affect the prostate gland. Experts have concerns about the safe use of DHEA, particularly because long-term safety data do not exist.

 

Low blood levels of the hormone DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) have been reported in some men with ED. In one double-blind trial, 40 men with low DHEA levels and ED were given 50 mg DHEA per day for six months.²⁰ Significant improvement in both erectile function and interest in sex occurred in the men assigned to take DHEA, but not in those assigned to take placebo. No significant change occurred in testosterone levels or in factors that could affect the prostate gland. Experts have concerns about the safe use of DHEA, particularly because long-term safety data do not exist.

 

 

A deficient level of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in the blood is associated with poor outcomes in people with HIV.²¹ Large amounts of supplemental DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) may alleviate fatigue and depression in HIV-positive men and women. In a preliminary trial, men and women with HIV infection took 200–500 mg of DHEA per day for eight weeks.²² All participants initially had both low mood and low energy. After eight weeks of DHEA supplementation, 72% of the participants reported their mood to be “much improved” or “very much improved,” and 81% reported having significant improvements in energy level. DHEA supplementation had no effect on CD4 cell (helper T-cell) counts or testosterone levels.

 

Low blood levels of the hormone DHEA and the related compound DHEA-sulfate have been associated with more severe symptoms in people with SLE.²³ Preliminary trials have suggested that 50 to 200 mg per day DHEA improved symptoms in people with SLE.^24,25 One double-blind trial of women with mild to moderate SLE found that 200 mg of DHEA per day improved symptoms and allowed a greater decrease in prednisone use,²⁵ but a similar trial in women with severe SLE found only insignificant benefits.²⁷

Experts have concerns about the use of DHEA, particularly because there are no long-term safety data. Side effects at high intakes (50 to 200 mg per day) in one 12-month trial included acne (in over 50% of people), increased facial hair (18%), and increased perspiration (8%). Less common problems reported with DHEA supplementation were breast tenderness, weight gain, mood alteration, headache, oily skin, and menstrual irregularity.²⁴

High amounts of DHEA have caused cancer in animals.^29,30 Although anticancer effects of DHEA have also been reported,³¹ they involve trials using animals that do not process DHEA the way humans do, so these positive effects may have no relevance for people. Links have begun to appear between higher DHEA levels and risks of prostate cancer in humans.³² At least one person with prostate cancer has been reported to have had a worsening of his cancer despite feeling better while taking very high amounts (up to 700 mg per day) of DHEA.³³ While younger women with breast cancer may have low levels of DHEA, postmenopausal women with breast cancer appear to have high levels of DHEA, which has researchers concerned.³⁴ These cancer concerns make sense because DHEA is a precursor to testosterone (linked to prostate cancer) and estrogen (linked to breast cancer). Until more is known, it would be prudent for people with breast or prostate cancer or a family history of these conditions to avoid supplementing with DHEA. Preliminary evidence has also linked higher DHEA levels to ovarian cancer in women.³⁵

Some doctors recommend that people taking DHEA have liver enzymes measured routinely. Anecdotes of DHEA supplementation (of at least 25 mg per day) leading to heart arrhythmias have appeared.³⁶ At only 25 mg per day, DHEA has lowered HDL cholesterol while increasing insulin-like growth factor (IGF).³⁷ Decreasing HDL could increase the risk of heart disease. Increasing IGF might increase the risk of breast cancer.

The hormone DHEA affects immunity. In a controlled trial, a group of elderly men with low DHEA levels who were given a high level of DHEA (50 mg per day) for 20 weeks, experienced a significant activation of immune function.³⁶ Postmenopausal women have also shown increased immune functioning in just three weeks when given DHEA in double-blind research.³⁷

 

Aging in women is characterized by a progressive decline in blood DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) and DHEA-sulfate (DHEAS) levels. These levels can be restored with DHEA supplementation. This process also improves the response of some brain chemicals, called endorphins, to certain drugs.³⁸ These endorphins are involved in sensations of pleasure and pain; improving their response may explain why DHEA has an effect on mood symptoms associated with menopause. In one double-blind trial, however, menopausal women who took 50 mg of DHEA per day for three months had no improvement in symptoms compared with women taking placebo.³⁹ Further study is needed to validate a role for DHEA in the management of menopausal symptoms.

 

Aging in women is characterized by a progressive decline in blood DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) and DHEA-sulfate (DHEAS) levels. These levels can be restored with DHEA supplementation. This process also improves the response of some brain chemicals, called endorphins, to certain drugs.⁴⁰ These endorphins are involved in sensations of pleasure and pain; improving their response may explain why DHEA has an effect on mood symptoms associated with menopause. In one double-blind trial, however, menopausal women who took 50 mg of DHEA per day for three months had no improvement in symptoms compared with women taking placebo.⁴¹ Further study is needed to validate a role for DHEA in the management of menopausal symptoms.

 

Most,^42,43,44,45 but not all,^46,47 studies have found that people with Alzheimer’s disease have lower blood DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) levels than do people without the condition. Emerging evidence suggests a possible benefit of DHEA supplementation in people with Alzheimer’s disease. In one double-blind trial, participants who took 50 mg twice daily for six months had significantly better mental performance at the three-month mark than those taking placebo. At six months, statistically significant differences between the two groups were not seen, but results still favored DHEA.⁴⁸ In another clinical trial, massive amounts of DHEA (1,600 mg per day for four weeks) failed to improve mental function or mood in elderly people with or without Alzheimer’s disease.⁴⁹ It is likely that the amount of DHEA used in this trial was far in excess of an appropriate amount, illustrating that more is not always better.

 

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone now available as a supplement. In one report, DHEA levels were found to be low in people with CFS.⁵⁰ Another research group reported that, while DHEA levels were normal in a group of CFS patients, the ability of these people to increase their DHEA level in response to hormonal stimulation was impaired.⁵¹ Whether supplementation with DHEA might help CFS patients remains unknown due to the lack of controlled research. DHEA should not be used without the supervision of a healthcare professional.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that is used by the body to make the male sex hormone testosterone. In one double-blind trial, 100 mg per day of DHEA was effective for improving strength in older men,⁵² but 50 mg per day was ineffective in a similar study of elderly men and women.⁵³ DHEA has not been effective for women or younger men in other studies.^54,55

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that is used by the body to make the male sex hormone testosterone. In one double-blind trial, 100 mg per day of DHEA was effective for improving strength in older men,⁵⁶ but 50 mg per day was ineffective in a similar study of elderly men and women.⁵⁷ DHEA has not been effective for women or younger men in other studies.^58,59