DHEA is the most common steroid hormone in the body. It is produced mainly by the adrenal glands. DHEA is metabolized from pregnenolone, the body’s “mother hormone,” which itself is metabolized from cholesterol. DHEA can be metabolized into other sex hormones, including testosterone and the estrogens, and up to 150 individual metabolites. We measure DHEAS or Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEAS) in the blood because it is more abundant. It is the sulfated version of DHEA that is converted in the adrenal, liver and small intestine.
- DHEA is a hormone that is produced from the synthesis of pregnenolone. It can be metabolized into testosterone or estrogen. DHEA is the most prevalent steroid hormone in the body.
- DHEAS levels drop dramatically as men and women age. There are pronounced differences in the average DHEAS levels of men and women, with women on average having lower DHEAS levels.
- Low DHEAS levels may be associated with a range of diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, inflammation, Alzheimer’s, Adrenal problems and others.
DHEA