DHEA

links: Hormones Steroid Neurosteroid reference: https://raypeatforum.com/community/threads/long-term-dhea-supplementation-doubles-androgens-and-progesterone-in-males.41108/post-658937 4-11-2021

DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) #

Produced by the Adrenal Gland.

• Reduced mass of the zona reticularis could be responsible for diminished production of DHEA(-S) in aging.

  • The zona reticularis is the innermost layer of the adrenal cortex. Cells in here produce DHEA, androstendione and cholesterol.

• A youngin’ produces ~12-15mg/day, and decreases by ~2mg for each decade after age 30. We produce 5% as much in old age than we do in our youth.

• Anticancer. Don’t know how.

• DHEA cured diabetes in rabbits administered a toxin which killed insulin-producing cells in the pancreas by allowing them to regenerate the cells.

• Weak positive allosteric modulator of NMDAR, as is pregnenolone.

• Increases our heat production and our ability to burn calories. Temperature R

• “In cell culture, DHEA can cause changes in glial cells resembling those seen in the aging brain.” Peat

• Inhibits GABA-A

  • The neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its metabolites alter 5-HT neuronal activity via modulation of GABAA receptors

• Increases procollagen synthesis and inhibits collagen degredation by decreasing matrix Metalloproteinases (MMP1) … Induced expression of TGF-β1 and connective tisue growth factor mRNA in cultured fibroblasts and aged skin. R

• Blocks the destructive effects of Cortisone; restores the stress+aging+starvation-caused damage. Lowers Cortisol; inhibits the pathways through which Progesterone converts to Cortisol and Aldosterone R

• DHEA can correct some immunological defects caused by Estrogen.

• Selectively agonizes ERβ.

• Increases 5-AR activity locally in tissues. Serum DHT may not increase, but its metabolites increase several hundred %. R

• Factors that can contribute to high levels is stress, hyperinsulinemia, adrenal hyperplasia (swelling of the adrenal gland) or more seriously, adrenal tumors.

• High levels can cause:

  • Heart palpitations
  • Mania
  • Reduction in HDL cholesterol
  • Acne due to imbalances in test and estrogen.

• Dehydroepiandrosterone feeding prevents aortic fatty streak formation and cholesterol accumulation in cholesterol-fed rabbit

  • DHEA-fed animals had higher plasma levels of total, VLDL, LDL and lower HDL triglycerides than did controls. DHEA feeding resulted in 30% and 40%, respectively, inhibition of fatty streak formation by chemical analysis and planimetry.

• Effect of DHEA supplementation on serum IGF-1, osteocalcin, and bone mineral density in postmenopausal, glucocorticoid-treated women

  • Age 50-78; 25-50mg DHEA daily. 12 months of calcium+D3 before the study.
  • Significantly increased Androstenedione and Testosterone concentrations. Significant elevation of IGF-1 and Osteocalcin concentrations as early as six weeks after treatment. Significant increase of bone mineral density in the lumbar spine and femoral neck 6-12 months after.

Supplementation #

• Upper limit is about 5mg a day, or 5mg 3x/day split far apart.
  • https://raypeatforum.com/community/threads/why-dhea-must-be-taken-in-small-doses-only.7099/
    • Ray said to use no more than 10mg at once, and probably no more than 15mg daily.
    • Almost every study uses 50mg+ a day, which leads to disappointing results, mainly by raising estrogen.
    • It’s sad but true that more is not better when it comes to hormones.
• 3:1 to 11:1 ratio of progesterone:DHEA. R
• Its half life is 1-3 hours; 10-20 for DHEA-S. The question is if it’s better to take at night or day? If it causes wakefulness, 2 hours or so before bed with progesterone is manageable. DHEA doesn’t really increase energy, although it does upgrade your sense of wellbeing.
• Topically - avoid putting hormones near fat tissue as this could lead to aromatase expression.
• If you are deficient in progesterone, pregnenolone, or thyroid, taking excess DHEA can be turned into estrogen.
• It takes a few months for DHEA to reflect into blood levels of steroids. It builds up in tissues and locally is converted until it spills over into the blood.

https://somatropin.shop/product/dhea/

Effects of Transdermal Application of DHEA on the Levels of Steroids, Gonadotropins and Lipids in Men #

• 50mg/day for 5 days: After discontinuing supplementation, DHEA (not DHEA-S) gradually declined to levels significantly lower than original. However, metabolites (Test, estradiol, androstenedione, etc.) continued to rise after discontinuation.
• During treatment, LH was increased nearly 2-fold, and FSH decreased 4%. SHBG decreased a little bit.
• Day 0 = pre-treatment; day 4 = after 3 days of treatment; 42 = 5 weeks after treatment
• As you can see, LH and DHEA kind of tanked, estradiol rose (although, so did test). Could this have been avoided using a more modest <15mg dose?