|  | Conditions Treatments | Hormone Issues

DHEA Deficiency Symptoms

DHEA, or Dehydroepiandrosterone, is a hormone produced by your adrenal glands. Dehydroepiandrosterone is sometimes called the "mother hormone," because it plays an integral part in the production of sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

  1. Background

    • When DHEA levels are below normal, the resulting condition is called DHEA deficiency. Without enough DHEA in your body, it is possible to experience symptoms due to the resulting lack of sex hormones.

    Time Frame

    • Levels of DHEA decrease in your body as you age. You are most likely to experience DHEA deficiency symptoms in your 60s or 70s due to the 80 percent drop in hormone levels that occurs during this stage in life, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of DHEA deficiency include fatigue, depression, anxiety, decreased interest in sex, dryness of your skin or eyes, aching joints, decreased muscle mass or bone density and loss of hair from your scalp, armpits and pubic regions.

    Risks

    • Untreated, DHEA deficiency symptoms have the potential to develop into more serious conditions due to the impact of prolonged shortages of DHEA in your body. These conditions include breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, impaired mental functioning and osteoporosis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

    Considerations

    • If you experience symptoms of DHEA deficiency, talk to your doctor. It may be possible for you to take supplements to boost your DHEA levels, according to the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.

Hormone Issues - Related Articles