Description
What is DHEA? DHEA is produced in the adrenal glands and counts as a so-called pro-hormone, i.e. it is further converted to the hormones estrogen( also known as oestrogen ) and testosterone. DHEA deficiency can occur because of tired adrenal glands or low hormone levels. We mostly produce DHEA at the age of 20 and then the production gradually decreases over the years, so people often talk about DHEA as a rejuvenating hormone, or a hormone that helps us stay young. Because DHEA is a prohormone, it can also affect the hormone balance of estrogen and testosterone . If hormonal imbalances or adrenal fatigue are suspected, it may therefore be a good idea to also measure DHEA. For those of you who want to make a complete evaluation of your hormones and adrenal glands, we have specific tests for this – Complete Hormone Test Female and Complete Hormone Test Men – which in addition to DHEA also measures cortisol and estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Common symptoms of low DHEA: Fatigue / lower energy Depression Panic attacks Decreased sex drive Decreased potency Overweight Osteoporosis Dry skin Common symptoms of high DHEA: PCOS Hair loss Acne Sleep disorders Irritability / anger DHEA too low or too high Low levels of DHEA may occur as a result of adrenal fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome, Addison’s disease or in pituitary insufficiency. High levels of DHEA can occur due to PCOS, breast cancer, adrenal tumours or Cushing’s syndrome. How does the DHEA Test work? The test is a saliva test that you do on your own from home and that is collected on two occasions during one and the same day;the first test is done immediately when you wake up, and the second test 30 min after the first. The sample is then sent to our lab for analysis, you will receive your results digitally.
