Here is what you need to know about DHEA:

DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) is an important precursor hormone produced by the adrenal glands, ovaries, and brain.  How DHEA DIRECTLY influences the Menstrual Cycle and Progesterone Production: DHEA is a precursor to estrogen and testosterone. Which means if you have low DHEA- you will more than likely have LOW testosterone and estrogen.  DHEA also supports healthy follicular development, which is crucial to supporting a healthy ovulation. Healthy hormone activity and ovaries are essential for proper ovulation, which is necessary for progesterone production during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. In this way, DHEA can help regulate the length of the follicular phase (the first half of the menstrual cycle, leading up to ovulation). By supporting healthy follicular development and improving hormone production (ie estrogen). This is especially important for women who experience short cycles or early ovulation, where the body doesn’t have sufficient time to develop a healthy follicle or produce adequate amounts of progesterone post-ovulation. Following ovulation, progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum (the remnant of the follicle after ovulation). If DHEA supports robust ovulation and healthy follicular development, this leads to stronger corpus luteum formation and function, which increases the likelihood of sufficient progesterone production during the luteal phase. By promoting regular ovulation and balanced estrogen levels, DHEA helps prevent luteal phase defects (low progesterone in the second half of the cycle), which can lead to short cycles or fertility issues. Okay so … WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH LOW DHEA? In my clients I actually test DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate), which is the sulfated form of DHEA that exists in much higher concentrations in the bloodstream because it is more stable and has a longer half-life. It acts as a storage form that can be converted back to DHEA when needed. OPTIMAL RANGE OF DHEA-S: 150-250μg/dL this range is what I learned from working as the Clinical Care Manager with the restorative reproductive endocrinology clinic, FEMM, which is where I received advanced training in reproductive endocrinology. SYMPTOMS OF LOW DHEAS: Loss of lean body mass, or difficulty in building muscle Hard to lose weight Low libido Lower immunity Decreased bone density Fatigue Depression or mood swings Short cycles (<24 days) Short luteal phase (<9 days) Poor production of fertile/estrogenic mucusInfertility or miscarriage Here is is how I view LOW DHEAS: AS AN ADAPTIVE / PROTECTIVE RESPONSE BY THE BODY.So things that the body is PERCEIVING AS A STRESSOR can cause the body to reduce the production of DHEA. Here are factors I am considering that can lead to low DHEA: 1. Chronic Stress:Many studies have found an association between increased perceived stress and lower DHEA levels 2. Chronic Inflammation:Inflammation can disrupt adrenal function and lower DHEA levels. Elevated inflammatory markers can affect hormone synthesis and shift the body into a catabolic state (tissue breakdown), reducing DHEA availability.Chronic inflammation can stem from many factors such asbood sugar imbalancespoor gut healthpoor dietsedentary lifestyle 3. Autoimmune Conditions:Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, can suppress adrenal gland function, lowering DHEA production. In such conditions, the immune system triggers chronic inflammation, which impacts DHEA levels. 4. Nutritional Deficiencies:Diets that are too low in any macronutrient (protein, fat, or carbohydrates) may lead to increased perceived stress on the body and lead to low DHEADeficiencies in zinc, magnesium, and vitamin C, which are important for adrenal and hormone health, may lead to low DHEA levels. The adrenal glands need proper nutrients to synthesize DHEA and other hormones. 5. Blood sugar imbalances (hypy glycemia OR hyperglycemia)Having your blood sugar go too high (insulin resistance) or too low can be an increased perceived stressor by the body and can directly negatively impact adrenal gland function- leading to low DHEA 6. Hypothyroidism:Low thyroid function can lead to reduced DHEA levels. Since thyroid hormones support adrenal function, a sluggish thyroid can cause lower overall hormone production, including DHEA. 7. Hidden infection, such as a gut infection or virusLong-term infections may lower DHEA as these are perceived stressors by the body 8. Medications:Certain medications, such as corticosteroids, oral contraceptives, and opioid painkillers, can suppress adrenal function and reduce DHEA levels as a side effect. 9. Over-exercising (possibly paired with under-eating):When the body is under long-term stress or strain, it may reduce DHEA production. SO HERE IS THE TAKEAWAY: DHEA is an important hormone precursor that plays a pivotAl role in having a healthy ovulation. Low dhea can lead to hormone dysfunction such as low testosterone, estrogen, and indirectly, progesterone. Low dhea CAN BE DUE TO MANY THINGS, BUT TO PUT IT SIMPLY, IT IS THINGS THE BODY IS PERCEIVING AS A STRESSOR (inflammation, mental/physical stress, nutrition stressors like nutrient deficiencies or blood sugar imbalances)

NOW LETS DO A CASE STUDY!…. LP came to me with wanting to improve her fertility (especially her progesterone) and improve her gut health.Now when we did her labs, not only did she have low DHEAS (128) but she also had signs of: glucose dysregulation (high fasting glucose >88) was currently a vegetarian, so under-eating protein AND calories in general high cortisol and high prolactin low beneficial bacteria & high overgrowth bacteria detected via her GI Map So we got to work balancing her blood sugar by adding in more protein into her diet & increasing weight lifting, calculated her macros so she could make sure she was eating ENOUGH, and supporting her gut with targeted food & supplements! Annddddd after 4 months here is her DHEAS levels:

Her DHEAS went up 50 points and her is her check in form before our last check-in together:

This was achieved through diet and lifestyle changes alone  How? Because she got: ~targeted lab testing that actually gets to the root cause ~ A clear plan of action and consistent support and guidance Are you looking to finally get to the root cause? CLICK HERE FOR THE DETAILS AND TO LEARN ABOUT OUR 4 MONTH 1:1 PROGRAM