Biomimetic Hormones | Bioidentical Hormones - DHEA

Bioidentical Hormones - DHEA

Biomimetic / Bioidentical Hormones - All About DHEA

The hormone Dehydroepiandrosterone, otherwise more commonly known as DHEA is the precursor hormone to the female sex hormone estrogen (estradiol), and the male sex hormone testosterone. It is available in some countries without a prescription and taken as a nutritional supplement and in other countries such as Canada, your doctor needs to obtain the permission of the government before he or she is allowed to prescribe it to you.

DHEA is manufactured by the human adrenal gland. As one ages and approaches either menopause or andropause, for both men and women, DHEA production declines. Levels of DHEA are found to be 80 - 90% less at the age of 80 when comparing DHEA hormone levels to the level of DHEA available in a 20 year old. The main function of DHEA is to moderate the balance of hormones in the body. The effects of DHEA individually vary from one person to another depending on factors such as gender and age.

Testing for DHEA levels is best done in the early morning because levels of the hormone will vary throughout the day. DHEA supplementation is used to enhance feelings of well-being, improve energy levels, reduce body fat, increase energy levels and is beneficial for sleep. More research is needed to investigate any other benefits that may come from the use of DHEA.

A test for DHEA is also a good indicator of adrenal gland functioning. In a state of adrenal fatigue, when the adrenal glands are overworked and struggling to produce high levels of cortisol under chronic stress conditions, the adrenals lose the ability to produce DHEA sufficiently. At this point, the individual will begin to experience problems of aging such as bone loss (osteoporosis), loss of muscle mass, decreased sex drive, fatigue, and impaired immune function.

DHEA is usually prescribed for such conditions as: aging, cancer, HIV infection/AIDS, obesity, depression and heart disease. Women can take anywhere from 10 to 20 mg a day, however, one should not take it for longer than a year because long term studies have not been conducted. Over a period of time, there some unwanted side effects that can occur in women, including unwanted facial hair and decreased good cholesterol (HDL) levels. DHEA is not recommended for patients with heart disease or at risk for heart disease, and because of its ability to increase estrogen and testosterone levels, DHEA, is also not recommended for women with breast cancer or men with prostate cancer.

If you are interested in taking DHEA, the first thing you should do is visit a doctor who is knowledgeable about natural bioidentical/biomimetic hormone supplementation. You will first need to take a blood test to determine your hormone levels and specifically your DHEA levels. You should discuss the reasons you wish to take DHEA with your doctor. A test will verify if your DHEA levels are low and could also indicate problems with the functioning of your adrenal gland. Your doctor will prescribe the biomimetic hormones you should be supplementing with and whether you also need to supplement with DHEA.

Filed Under Andropause, Bioidenticals, Biomimetics, DHEA, Estrogen, Menopause, Testosterone |

Tagged With Andropause, bioidentical, bioidentical hormones, biomimetic hormones, DHEA, estrogen, Menopause, testosterone

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