We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Symptoms of Low DHEA?

By Nicole Long
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 20,332
Share

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone produced by the body naturally. Mainly produced by the adrenal gland, DHEA is also produced within the brain and in men, testes. Low DHEA can cause a wide variety of symptoms including fatigue, depression, joint pain, and a host of others that can interfere with living a productive life.

Once DHEA is produced by the adrenal glands or other organs, the human body works to transform DHEA into androstenedione. Androstenedione is then transformed into male and female hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone. Producing the appropriate levels of DHEA is important to the hormonal balance of the human body.

With age, the production of DHEA in the body naturally decreases. Typically, males will produce more DHEA than women. This holds true for all age ranges. For both men and women, the body produces the highest level of DHEA in their twenties.

Some believe that adrenal fatigue as a result of chronic stress, poor nutrition, and an erratic emotional state can affect the production of DHEA. If the adrenals is working harder to produce stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline, DHEA production is decreased. This can throw the body out of balance, resulting in a host of symptoms related to low DHEA.

The symptoms related to low DHEA can vary and can also depend on lifestyle habits and overall health. For some, extreme fatigue, depression, and loss of sex drive may be the main symptoms. Others may experience a decrease in muscle mass, trouble concentrating, and difficulty obtaining a good night’s rest when confronted with low DHEA.

Traditional medicine recognizes the importance of DHEA, but more research needs to be done to consider DHEA a therapy for a wide variety of diseases and conditions. Research shows that certain levels of DHEA may be helpful in the treatment of schizophrenia, lupus, and osteoporosis. The use and effectiveness of DHEA in weight loss, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, and infertility requires more research and additional study.

Natural and holistic medicine practitioners may recommend DHEA supplements as a way to increase adrenal function and relieve symptoms associated with low DHEA. Those on other medications need to speak with a physician before using DHEA supplements. Some people experience negative side effects because DHEA is broken down into different hormones within the body, such as estrogen. This can include breast tenderness and body hair growth.

Beyond supplements, the body can be trained to create more DHEA naturally. Exercise, social connections, and spiritual activities can all influence the production of DHEA by the body. This is because these activities reduce stress, and thus reduce the impact of stress on the adrenal glands.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-are-the-symptoms-of-low-dhea.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.