DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)

Studies link low DHEA levels with an increase in heart disease. Researchers aren't sure whether supplementing with DHEA is safe or reduces risk.

Lupus or SLE is an autoimmune disorder. That means that the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissue. Several studies show that taking DHEA along with other medications helps improve quality of life for people with lupus, though it probably does not change the overall course of their disease.

Several studies have found that some people who take DHEA supplements may be able take less prescription medication. DHEA may also reduce the frequency of flare ups, enhance mental function, and boost bone mass in women with lupus. Many studies use 200 mg per day of DHEA, which can raise levels of testosterone and lower HDL ("good") cholesterol. One study found that a lower dose -- 20 to 30 mg -- might also work. Most of these studies have been small. So more studies are needed to determine whether DHEA is safe and effective for people with lupus.

DHEA is one of the hormones made by the adrenal glands. With adrenal insufficiency, the adrenal glands do not make enough hormones, including DHEA and cortisol. That happens either because of problems with the pituitary gland or damage to the adrenal glands themselves (also called Addison's disease).

Several studies suggest that taking DHEA may help improve mood, fatigue, and well being. In one study, women with this condition who took DHEA supplements reported improved sexuality and sense of well being, including fewer feelings of depression and anxiety.

Adrenal insufficiency requires a doctor's care. You shouldn't take DHEA on your own for adrenal insufficiency. Severe adrenal insufficiency can be a medical emergency, especially when first diagnosed.

A few studies of people with major depression found that DHEA improved symptoms compared to placebo. The results aren't entirely clear, and researchers don't know what the long-term effects of taking DHEA might be. More research is needed. DO NOT try to treat depression by yourself. People with depression need medical care.

Preliminary studies suggest that DHEA may help reduce bone loss in older women. It doesn't seem to have the same effect in men. And in one study it didn't help women who were under age 70.

Studies using DHEA to treat overweight people have found conflicting results. Animal studies have found DHEA to help reduce body weight. Human studies found that taking DHEA didn't change total body weight. But it did improve total body fat and LDL ("bad") cholesterol. More research is needed.

One study found that DHEA helped men with erectile dysfunction (ED) get and sustain an erection, possibly because the body converts DHEA into testosterone. However, more research is needed to know whether DHEA really helps.

Research suggests that DHEA may help improve sex drive in older women (but not younger women). More studies are needed.

Since DHEA levels decline with age, some researchers have investigated whether taking DHEA supplements could slow or prevent age-related mental or physical problems. Preliminary results from the DHEAge study in France suggested DHEA may slow bone loss, improve skin health, and improve sex drive in women over 70. People in the study didn't have any improvement in muscle function and strength. Another study found that men and women over 60 who took DHEA for 2 years didn't have any improvement in bone density, muscle strength, insulin sensitivity, or quality of life.

In terms of memory loss, some studies have shown that DHEA improves learning and memory in people who have low DHEA levels. But other studies have not found any improvement. More research is needed.

People with HIV tend to have low levels of DHEA. And these levels decrease even more as the disease progresses. One small study found that DHEA improved mental function in men and women with HIV. However, no human studies show whether DHEA can improve immune function in people with HIV.

DHEA has been popular among perimenopausal women, seeking relief from menopausal symptoms, including decreased sex drive, diminished skin tone, and vaginal dryness. Studies have been mixed.

Preliminary studies show DHEA supplements raised levels of some hormones in postmenopausal women. However, DHEA supplementation in healthy pre- and postmenopausal women is controversial. Clinical studies show conflicting results as to whether DHEA can improve sexual function, metabolism, and overall well being. More studies are needed to determine whether DHEA is safe and effective.

People who believe in using DHEA claim that it relieves menopausal symptoms without increasing the risk of breast cancer or cancer of the lining of the uterus -- unlike prescription hormone replacement therapy, which does increase risk of these cancers. But there is no proof that DHEA does not also increase risk of these cancers.

People with a history of cancer, or who are at high risk for cancer should not take DHEA without their doctor's supervision. DHEA can be converted into either estrogen or testosterone in the body, which may be dangerous for women or men with a history of hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast or prostate cancer. Women with breast cancer tend to have low levels of DHEA in their bodies. Scientists don't know whether taking DHEA may increase or reduce growth of breast cancer cells.

DHEA levels appear to be low in people with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. A small study found that DHEA was effective for use in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. But the study wasn't well designed. More studies are needed to say for sure whether DHEA helps IBD.

Studies suggest that DHEA supplementation may be beneficial for other health conditions, including infertility, schizophrenia, cocaine withdrawal, anorexia nervosa, and dementia. More research is needed.