A hormone that falls steadily with age and converts into testosterone and estrogen. The clearest benefit is a local vaginal form for menopausal dryness. Other gains are modest and specific: small bone-density gains in women, slight fat loss in men, better pregnancy chances in some women in fertility treatment. Most longevity claims are unsupported. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| DHEA-S | Mid-range for a healthy young adult (sex- and age-specific) | Confirms baseline deficiency and tracks whether dosing restores youthful levels |
| Total and free testosterone | Mid-to-upper young-adult range, avoiding excess | Detects androgen excess driving acne/hirsutism (women) or confirms response (men) |
| Estradiol | Sex-appropriate physiologic range | Detects estrogenic excess from aromatization, relevant to breast/prostate concern |
| Lipid panel (HDL, LDL, triglycerides) | HDL >50 mg/dL (women) / >40 mg/dL (men); favorable overall pattern | Detects the HDL-lowering effect DHEA can cause, mainly in women |
| PSA (men) | Below age-adjusted threshold and stable over time | Screens for prostate effects given androgen elevation |
| Fasting glucose and HbA1c | Glucose 70–90 mg/dL; HbA1c <5.4% | Monitors the metabolic effects given DHEA's influence on insulin sensitivity |
Cadence: Baseline before the first dose; at 6–8 weeks after starting; then every 6–12 months during continued use, with cancer screening on standard age-appropriate schedules.