What causes low DHEA levels in females?

A decrease in DHEA sulfate may be due to: Adrenal gland disorders that produce lower than normal amounts of adrenal hormones, including adrenal insufficiency and Addison disease. The pituitary gland not producing normal amounts of its hormones (hypopituitarism) Taking glucocorticoid medicines.

What does it mean when your DHEA sulfate is low?

If your DHEA level is low, it may mean that your adrenal glands are not making enough hormones. This can be because of damage to the adrenal gland or a diseased pituitary gland. The pituitary gland makes a hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands to do their job.

How do you treat low DHEA in women?

There’s really no need to rely on DHEA to treat your symptoms. Testosterone or estrogen can be supplemented directly, producing better and faster relief from the symptoms that you’re feeling. In some cases, this can be done by treating a medical cause of the hormone imbalance.

What should a woman DHEA level be?

In women, normal levels in 18- and 19-year-olds range from 145 to 395 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL), before declining. In your 20s, DHEAS levels range between 65 and 380 mcg. For 30-something women, normal levels range from 45 to 270 mcg/dL, with levels further dropping to 32 to 240 mcg/dL in your 40s.

What are the symptoms of low DHEA?

Symptoms of low levels of DHEAS may include the following signs of an adrenal gland disorder: Unexplained weight loss. Nausea and vomiting. Dizziness….Other symptoms of low DHEAS are related to aging and may include:

  • Decreased sex drive.
  • Erectile dysfunction in men.
  • Thinning of vaginal tissues in women.

Can low DHEA cause weight gain?

Side Effects May increase the risk of developing prostate, breast, ovarian, uterine, or cervical cancer and malignant melanoma or other hormonally-affected cancers. Hormonal side effects can be significant, including acne, skin changes, excess hair or hair loss, increased sweating, and weight gain.

What are the side effects of low DHEA?

Because levels of DHEA decline with age, researchers have wondered if DHEA could work as an anti-aging treatment. In older people, lower than normal levels of DHEA have been associated with osteoporosis, heart disease, memory loss, and breast cancer.

What are symptoms of low DHEA?

Does low DHEA cause weight gain?

Does low DHEA mean adrenal fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue syndrome often involves decreased DHEA-S. The DHEA-S level is a direct indicator of the functioning of the area within the adrenal glands that produces sex hormones (the zona reticularis).