Adrenal androgen precursor
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About DHEA
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About DHEA
Overview and History
DHEA is a steroid hormone produced mainly by the adrenal cortex, with smaller contributions from the gonads and brain. It circulates both as free DHEA and as the more abundant sulfate form (DHEA‑S), and acts as a biochemical substrate that peripheral tissues convert to androgens and estrogens.
Characterized in the 20th century, DHEA became clinically useful as a measurable marker of adrenal androgen production and age-related hormonal change. Its core biological role is to supply steroid precursors that influence reproductive signaling, metabolism, and short-term stress responses; patterns of circulating DHEA and its metabolites help distinguish production versus conversion and clearance dynamics.
Interpreting Highs and Lows
Higher-than-expected DHEA can indicate increased adrenal androgen output, enhanced peripheral conversion to active sex steroids, or altered metabolism. Elevated values are often evaluated alongside symptoms such as oily skin, acne, increased body hair, or menstrual irregularities, but interpretation depends on the wider hormonal picture.
Low DHEA may reflect reduced adrenal androgen production, age-related decline, or diminished adrenal reserve and can be associated with low energy, decreased libido, or reduced stress resilience. Accurate interpretation requires correlation with cortisol timing, DHEA‑S, sex hormone metabolites, urine steroid profiles, and clinical history within the full Hormone Zoomer panel.
Featured Test
DHEA is included in the Hormone Zoomer to quantify adrenal androgen precursor output and to contextualize sex hormone production and stress physiology. Measured alongside cortisol and metabolite pathways, it helps separate altered adrenal timing from peripheral conversion or clearance issues, informing provider interpretation and personalized monitoring strategies.
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Mary Beth Augustine
DCN, RDN, FAND- Lead Clinical Educator
Suzanne Barker
MS, RDN, LD, CTTS, CGP- Clinical Educator
Suzette Garcia
MSc- MHNE- Clinical Educator
Brooke Mader Ganev
MS, CNS, LDN, FDN- Clinical Educator
Adair Anderson
MS, RDN, LDN- Clinical Educator
Lillie Luu Nguyen
DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
Jason Barker
ND- Clinical Educator
Emaline Brown
ND- Clinical Educator
Dana Filatova
DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
Jessy Dhanjal
ND- Clinical Educator
Nour Amri
MS, LDN, CNS, CKNS- Clinical Educator
