DHEA sulfate (dehydroepiandronsterone) is a multifunctional steroid hormone. It affects androgen receptors. DHEA sulfate is considered one of the main steroid hormones. Despite its relatively small androgenic activity, it is biochemically converted to progesterone, testosterone, corticosterone and estrogen. In turn, the above hormones are involved in many tasks, including those involved in hair growth, metabolic processes, sexual functions and more. The level of hormone determines the indicator of androgen-synthetic adrenal activity. Dehydroepiandronsterone does not detect pronounced diurnal fluctuations and has a low clearance rate.
With age, hormone production decreases. This also applies to dehydroepiandronsterone.
Based on the level of DHEA sulfate in the blood, human age is accurately determined. The peak hormone content in the body is reached at twenty years old. By seventy years, its level may decline to 90%. DHEA sulfate is produced in the adrenal glands. It should be noted that the decrease in hormone levels is less intense in women. This can explain their long life expectancy.
DHEA sulfate, in addition to participating in the production of estrogen and testosterone, helps the immune system maintain its protective properties.
Stress triggers an increase in adrenaline and cortisol. At the same time, the level of DHEA sulfate is reduced. The low hormone content causes the development of various diseases, which include heart ailments and cancer.
The increased content of dehydroepiandronsterone provokes weight loss without disturbing appetite. This is due to the normalization of the metabolic process. However, an increase in the level of dehydroepiandronsterone detected by analysis of blood serum may indicate the presence of a tumor in the adrenal cortex, ectopic tumors or androgenital syndrome. In addition, DHEA sulfate can be increased with the development of pathologies such as Cushing's disease, hirsutism in women, and polycystic ovary syndrome.
DHEA sulfate during pregnancy precedes the synthesis of placental estrogen.
According to some experts, the use of additives containing dehydroepiandronsterone can significantly reduce cholesterol, get rid of excess weight, and increase muscle mass. There is also evidence that the use of dehydroepiandronsterone slows down the aging process. However, along with this, there are no results of a long-term safety study of its use. It should be noted that in many cases the use of dehydroepiandronsterone is contraindicated. An overdose can provoke cancer, including prostate cancer. Self-administration of drugs containing dehydroepiandronsterone is not allowed. Medical consultation and analysis of the content of other hormones is necessary.
According to some experts, taking dehydroepiandronsterone can improve well-being, a sense of satisfaction with life, a sharpness of thought and memory, and increase energy. However, today there is no unambiguously positive data approving its daily use (especially by women in menopause). There is evidence from experiments on animals about the negative effects of hormone-containing additives on the liver. Some studies with long-term use of dehydroepiandronsterone show an increased risk of cancer in women.
All of the above should be considered when prescribing drugs containing a hormone.