DHEA, short for dehydroepiandrosterone, is an important hormone that is produced naturally by the adrenal glands. Often called the “youth hormone,” DHEA plays a role in various bodily functions.
DHEA levels typically peak around age 25 and then start to decline with age. Some key facts about DHEA:
Now, many people take DHEA supplements to try to slow aging or boost energy. But more isn’t necessarily better with this hormone.
High DHEA levels from supplements may cause side effects like acne, hair loss, and hormonal imbalances in some cases. That’s why it’s important to test your DHEA levels first via blood work.
The leading hormone clinic Vital Hormone Clinic specializes in DHEA testing and customized treatment plans to help patients optimize their levels safely and effectively. Their holistic protocols can enhance youthfulness, vitality, immunity and more.
What are healthy DHEA levels?
There’s no universal “normal” range since DHEA levels vary widely by age and sex. But here’s a general guide to optimized levels by age group:
Ages 20-29
- Men: 250-640 ?g/dL
- Women: 65-380 ?g/dL
Ages 30-39
- Men: 190-530 ?g/dL
- Women: 45-270 ?g/dL
Ages 40-49
- Men: 130-480 ?g/dL
- Women: 32-240 ?g/dL
Testing your serum DHEA-S level will reveal if you fall into the optimal range for your age and gender or if you’re too high or low.
What impacts DHEA levels?
DHEA production starts declining around age 30. But other factors also affect DHEA levels, like:
Treating any underlying issues can help restore healthier DHEA status in some cases. Lifestyle measures like stress management, quality sleep, nutritious diet, and regular exercise also support the adrenals' ability to produce DHEA.
For those with clinically low DHEA, DHEA therapy at Vital Hormone Clinic can safely rebalance levels based on lab testing and biomarkers. This can renew vitality and lift mood, immunity, cardiovascular health, and more.
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