DHEA is one of the most abundant hormones in the human body. It's made primarily in the adrenal glands, with smaller amounts produced in the ovaries and testes. What makes DHEA remarkable is not just its abundance, but its influence: it is a precursor hormone that can convert into both testosterone and estrogen depending on the body's needs.
Think of DHEA as a hormonal building block. Your body uses it to create androgen and estrogen pathways essential for energy, strength, metabolism, immunity, cognitive function, and emotional wellbeing.
For both women and men, healthy DHEA levels are associated with:
DHEA rises during puberty and peaks in early adulthood, usually between age 25-30. From there, production gradually declines - on average by about 2% per year.
Because DHEA is closely connected to cortisol regulation, low DHEA can leave the body stuck in a more catabolic (breakdown) state instead of the anabolic (repair and rebuild) state needed for healing, strength, and vitality.
Emerging evidence highlights the importance of healthy DHEA levels, particularly in cognition and metabolic health.
Higher natural DHEA-S levels have been associated with better concentration, memory, and executive function in adults across a wide age range (21-77 years).
Supplementation has been shown to support improvements in insulin sensitivity, visceral fat reduction, and metabolic syndrome risk factors linked to abdominal weight gain.
DHEA can be an important part of a personalised hormone plan when assessed and monitored correctly.
Bioidentical DHEA can be prescribed as part of a tailored hormone programme to:
DHEA should only be prescribed after appropriate testing and ongoing monitoring.
Not everyone needs DHEA - but for those who do, the effect can be significant.
If you would like to explore whether DHEA could be helpful for you, you can book a consultation or request more information.
London Bioidentical Hormones is a Virtual Practice in the United Kingdom and serves patients throughout the United Kingdom.
