DHEA Replacement in Adrenal Insufficiency
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (1999)
50mg/day significantly improved wellbeing, sexual function, mood, and lean body mass in women with adrenal insufficiency.
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
Oral SR capsule (5 to 100mg)Not available in all statesMarketing purposes only. Actual medications, if prescribed, are dispensed by a licensed pharmacy.
hormones
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
Most abundant circulating steroid hormone, declining 70 to 80% by age 70 to 80 ('adrenopause'). Precursor for peripheral biosynthesis of androgens and estrogens via tissue-selective intracrine conversion.
Restores DHEA-S levels
Improves sexual function in women
Tissue-selective conversion avoids systemic flooding
Improves mood and energy
No commitment · HSA/FSA eligibleNo commitment · HSA/FSA eligible
How it works
Mechanism of action
Converted peripherally to androgens and estrogens in a tissue-selective manner ('intracrinology'). Also acts directly as neurosteroid at GABA-A, NMDA, and sigma-1 receptors.
The baseline panel.
Every Marek client receives this baseline panel before a provider review. Your provider may add additional biomarkers based on your health history, symptoms, and goals, pulling from 1,000+ available markers. See more biomarkers →
Hormone Profile
12 markers
Sex hormones
- Total TestosteroneLC/MS
- Free TestosteroneEquilibrium Dialysis
- Estradiol, Sensitive / UltrasensitiveLC/MS
- Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
- ProgesteroneLC/MSFemale panel
- Prolactin
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- hCG, Total, QuantitativeFemale panel, pre-menopause
Adrenals & neurosteroids
- Cortisol
- DHEA-S
Growth hormone / IGF-1
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-1)
Thyroid Status
3 markers
Thyroid hormones
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Free T4
- Free T3
Heart Health
9 markers
Cardiovascular health
- Total Cholesterol
- HDL Cholesterol
- LDL Cholesterol
- LDL:HDL Ratio
- VLDL Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Apolipoprotein-B (ApoB)
- C-Reactive Protein, High Sensitivity (hsCRP)
- Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a))
Metabolism
3 markers
Insulin sensitivity
- Blood Glucose
- Fasting Insulin
- HbA1c
Organ Function
26 markers
Liver & pancreas
- AST
- ALT
- Bilirubin, Total
- γ-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
Kidney function
- BUN
- Creatinine w/ eGFR
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Glucose
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
- Creatinine
- eGFR
- BUN/Creatinine Ratio
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- Carbon Dioxide, Total
- Calcium
- Protein, Total
- Albumin
- Globulin, Total
- Albumin/Globulin (A/G) Ratio
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
- AST
- ALT
Prostate health
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)Male panel
- Free PSAMale panel
- % Free PSAMale panel
Nutrient Status
31 markers
Vitamins & minerals
- Vitamin D, 25-OHD (25-Hydroxy)
- Magnesium, RBC
Iron status
- Iron
- Iron Saturation
- TIBC
- UIBC
- Ferritin
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- White Blood Count (WBC)
- Red Blood Count (RBC)
- Hemoglobin (Hgb)
- Hematocrit (HCT)
- MCV
- MCH
- MCHC
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
- Platelets
- Neutrophils
- Neutrophils (Absolute)
- Lymphocytes
- Lymphocytes (Absolute)
- Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio
- Monocytes
- Monocytes (Absolute)
- Eosinophils
- Eosinophils (Absolute)
- Basophils
- Basophils (Absolute)
- Immature Cells
- Immature Granulocytes
- Immature Granulocytes (Absolute)
- NRBC, w/ Reflex for Immature Cells
Clinical evidence
The research behind DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone).
Safety profile
Monitoring & safety information.
Commonly reported side effects
- Acne and oily skin
- Hair loss
- Hirsutism in women
- Mood changes
- Breast tenderness
Less common but serious risks
- Virilization in women with excessive doses
- Potential hormone-sensitive cancer risk with supraphysiologic dosing
Generally not appropriate for
- Hormone-sensitive cancers
- Pregnancy
- PCOS (may worsen androgen excess)
Typical monitoring
- DHEA-S levels
- Testosterone and estradiol
- PSA (men)
- Lipid panel
FAQ
Quick answers.
Most abundant circulating steroid hormone, declining 70 to 80% by age 70 to 80 ('adrenopause'). Precursor for peripheral biosynthesis of androgens and estrogens via tissue-selective intracrine conversion.
Restores DHEA-S levels. Improves sexual function in women. Tissue-selective conversion avoids systemic flooding. Improves mood and energy.
Common side effects include: acne and oily skin, hair loss, hirsutism in women, mood changes, breast tenderness. Most side effects are dose-dependent and may resolve with continued use or dose adjustment.
Most abundant circulating steroid hormone, declining 70 to 80% by age 70 to 80 ('adrenopause'). Precursor for peripheral biosynthesis of androgens and estrogens via tissue-selective intracrine conversion.
Treatments are dependent on licensed clinical prescription. Client costs vary based on individual labs and panel in treatments and services.