Lower DHEA

Keeping your hormone levels in check can boost your quality of life in every way. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is one of the most important hormones in your body as it regulates the production of androgens and estrogens. To lower your DHEA levels, start by eating a healthy diet, exercising, and getting the right amount of sleep. Talk with your doctor and ask them to monitor your levels over time. Be careful about any medications that you take and over time you should start to see and feel the positive results.^[1]

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Talk with your doctor. Make an appointment to see your general practitioner or an endocrinologist, a specialist who treats hormonal disorders. They will ask you about your medical history and run a blood test for DHEA levels. Bring a list of questions with you to get the most out of your appointment.^[2]

• Your doctor might suggest monitoring your DHEA levels using saliva, serum, or urine tests.^[3]
• These tests will also be used to rule out any larger issues with your adrenal glands, such as Addison disease.^[4]
• Your doctor will likely tell you that it is important to lower your DHEA as high levels can cause aggression and irregular blood pressure, among other health issues. Luckily, a benefit of reducing your DHEA levels is that most of these health concerns will disappear as your numbers drop.^[5]

Take a zinc supplement. Certain minerals, such as zinc, can reduce swelling and inflammation throughout your body. If you’ve felt swollen lately and you know that your DHEA levels are high, zinc may be able to help you. Just make sure to talk with your doctor before taking any supplements.^[6]

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  Monitor any pre-existing conditions. Your DHEA levels can have a direct impact on others areas of your health, including any prior diseases that you may be fighting. Along with your doctor, you may want to agree to additional monitoring for any diabetes, liver disease, or cancers while trying to lower your DHEA levels. This is a proactive approach that can keep you healthy in the long term.^[7]
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  Watch for any potential drug interactions. Certain drugs have a side effect of boosting your DHEA levels. If you are trying to keep your levels lower, then talk with your doctor before starting any new medications. And, go through with them and evaluate all of the current medications that you are taking.^[8]
  

  
  

  • For example, diabetes drugs, such as metformin, are often associated with DHEA boosts
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    Stop any synthetic DHEA supplements. Talk with your doctor about gradually weaning off, or stopping cold turkey, any prescribed or over-the-counter hormonal medications that you are currently taking. It’s almost impossible to lower your DHEA while taking boosting medications.^[9]
    

    
    

    

    • Be aware that the weaning off process can take months. Just stay patient and you will see positive results over time.
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      Agree to surgical treatment. If your excess DHEA is caused by a sizeable tumor, then your doctor may suggest a removal procedure. Talk over the risks and rewards of any surgeries with your doctor before agreeing to anything. The benefits of surgery is that it will make it possible to lower your levels quickly.^[10]