Fact Sheet 724 DHEA
WHAT IS
DHEA?
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid produced by the
adrenal glands. DEHA acts like a hormone, so it is called a steroid hormone. A hormone is a chemical produced in one part of
the body that is carried to another part of the body where it has
a specific effect. The adrenal glands are located on top of the
kidneys.
DHEA is the most common steroid in humans. It can be
transformed in the body into testosterone (the primary male sex
hormone), estrogen (an important female sex hormone), or other
steroids.
In normal adults, DHEA levels are highest at about age 20, and
then decrease steadily. HIV patients with lipodystrophy have very low
levels of DHEA.
WHAT ARE THE
BENEFITS OF DHEA?
People with various diseases have levels of DHEA that are
unusually low. DHEA has been used in the last thirty years or so
to treat obesity, diabetes, and lupus. It has also been found to
improve sleep. Many people who have taken DHEA report improved
energy levels and a better sense of well being.
WHY DO PEOPLE
WITH HIV USE DHEA?
Some people with HIV take DHEA in amounts designed to restore
normal levels. This might help improve their energy levels.
Several studies have found that DHEA increases levels of IL-2, a chemical messenger
that increases the production of CD4 (T-helper) cells. See
Fact Sheet 482 for more
information on IL-2. DHEA also improves the ability of CD8
(T-killer) cells to destroy infected cells. DHEA may help
normalize the immune system. A recent study shows that DHEA can reduce depression in people with HIV.
HOW IS DHEA
USED?
DHEA is available in "regular" form or as DHEA-S (DHEA sulfate).
The body can convert DHEA into DHEA-S and back again.
A doctor in San Francisco who uses DHEA with his HIV-positive
patients tries to maintain blood levels that are typical for
young adults. This usually means taking 200 milligrams of DHEA
either once or twice a day.
A blood or saliva test can measure the amount of DHEA in your
blood. This can help determine how much DHEA to take and whether
your level is where you want it to be. DHEA levels vary during
the day, so you should do each test at the same time of day.
We do not know the best doses of DHEA for women. DHEA is not recommended for children or adolescents with HIV.
WHAT ARE THE
SIDE EFFECTS?
There are no documented side effects of DHEA at doses up to 2,500
mg per day, except for an increase in acne, especially in
women.
Some studies suggest that people with HIV and Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS) have
very high levels of DHEA. Taking more DHEA might be harmful for
these people. Check your blood or urine levels before you take
DHEA.
HOW DOES DHEA
INTERACT WITH OTHER THERAPIES?
There are no documented interactions of DHEA with other
therapies. Because DHEA occurs naturally in the body,
interactions are unlikely. It is possible that DHEA could affect
the processing of drugs by the liver, but this has not been
studied.
HOW DO WE KNOW
IT WORKS?
There is increasing scientific interest in DHEA, with well over
100 scientific articles written in each of the last four years.
However, there have not been many studies that document health
benefits in humans, and some initial good results have not been
confirmed in follow-up studies. There is not good scientific
support for taking DHEA supplements (that is, getting more than
normal amounts in your body). However, some health care providers recommend
DHEA replacement, which means taking enough DHEA to bring your
levels back into the normal range. A Phase II clinical trial is studying the effects of DHEA supplementation in people with HIV.
THE BOTTOM
LINE
DHEA is a steroid hormone produced by the body. DHEA levels go
down with age, and go down even faster with some illnesses
including HIV. DHEA may help with immune function, increasing energy levels, and reducing depression.
It may be helpful to take enough DHEA to bring levels up to
the normal range. This is called "replacement" therapy. Before
you take DHEA, check your blood or saliva levels.
At this point, there are no research studies that support taking
DHEA supplements (in amounts that would give you higher than normal
levels).
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