DHEA
D-H-E-A
A precursor hormone that your adrenal glands make — your body converts it into testosterone and estrogen as needed.
Also known as: Dehydroepiandrosterone, The Mother Hormone
Last reviewed: April 2026
What It Does
DHEA is the most abundant steroid hormone in your body. Think of it as raw material — your body converts it into testosterone, estrogen, or other hormones as needed. DHEA levels peak in your 20s and decline steadily. Supplementing restores this hormonal building block.
Why People Take It
How It's Administered
Oral
Capsule taken in the morning
Frequency
Daily
Pain Level
○○○ None
Self-Administered
Yes — at home
Typical Range
10mg – 50mg
Topical
Cream applied to thin skin areas
Frequency
Daily
Pain Level
○○○ None
Self-Administered
Yes — at home
Typical Range
5mg – 25mg
What To Expect
Week 2–4
DHEA blood levels normalize.
Month 1–2
Improved energy, mood, and sense of well-being.
Month 3+
Downstream hormonal benefits become apparent.
Side Effects
Overall: Mild
Common (1–10%)
Acne
Due to androgenic conversion.
Oily skin
Related to increased androgens.
Uncommon (0.1–1%)
Hair changes
Women may notice facial hair at higher doses.
Who Should NOT Take This
• Hormone-sensitive cancers
• PCOS (may worsen androgen excess)
• Liver disease
Drug Interactions
• Insulin — DHEA may improve sensitivity
• Anticoagulants — may enhance effect
• Hormone therapies — may alter balance
Pregnancy: Do not use during pregnancy. DHEA has androgenic activity.
Clinical Details
Show Clinical Details (for healthcare professionals)Hide Clinical Details▼
Half-Life
~15–38 minutes (DHEA); ~7–22 hours (DHEA-S)
Bioavailability
Well absorbed orally, converted to DHEA-S (reservoir form)
Mechanism of Action
Produced by adrenal cortex. Converted peripherally to testosterone and estradiol via 3β-HSD and aromatase. Also acts as neurosteroid directly. Levels decline ~2% per year from age 25, reaching 10-20% of peak levels by age 70.
Published Research
DHEA Supplementation and Aging (2008) ↗Compare With Similar Peptides
DHEA is a precursor your body converts as needed. Testosterone is the end hormone directly. Pregnenolone sits even higher in the hormone cascade.
Testosterone
The primary male sex hormone — replacement therapy restores levels when your body isn't making enough.
Pregnenolone
The very first hormone in the cascade — your body makes all other steroid hormones from this one starting material.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a compounded medication prescribed off-label. It has not been FDA-approved for the uses described. All prescribing decisions are made by your independent licensed provider.