Check a pair

DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)

Steroid hormone precursor produced by adrenal glands, often called the 'youth hormone' for its anti-aging and vitality benefits

Scientific nameDehydroepiandrosterone FormulaC19H28O2 Molecular weight288.42 g/mol CAS53-43-0
80 absorption score
6 safety / 10
25 USD per month
5 documented interactions

Check it against something

Evidence level B

DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) with:

Compatibility score 78 out of 100
78 out of 100
Works better together Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.

Check it against your whole stack →

What it does

mechanism and evidence for each claim

Anti-aging and longevity support

Helps maintain youthful hormone levels and cellular function

Precursor to testosterone, estrogen, and other vital hormones Evidence B-grade 4-12 weeks

Enhanced energy and vitality

Boosts energy levels, motivation, and overall sense of well-being

Supports mitochondrial function and metabolic efficiency Evidence B-grade 2-8 weeks

Improved mood and cognitive function

Supports positive mood, mental clarity, and stress resilience

Modulates neurotransmitters and stress response Evidence B-grade 3-8 weeks

Enhanced immune system function

Supports healthy immune response and resistance to illness

Modulates immune cell activity and inflammatory responses Evidence B-grade 4-8 weeks

Bone density and muscle mass support

Helps maintain bone density and lean muscle mass with aging

Conversion to anabolic hormones supporting tissue health Evidence C-grade 8-16 weeks

Others take these for the same thing

Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one

Every pair we checked

12 combinations scored by the engine
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) + Caffeine No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) + Creatine Monohydrate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) + Calcium Carbonate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) + Whey Protein No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) + Lactase No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) + Bovine Collagen No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) + DHA No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) + Turmeric No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) + Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) + Magnesium Oxide Enhanced DHEA utilization and stress response Works better together 75
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) + Vitamin D3 Enhanced hormone production and bone health Works better together 78
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) + Omega-3 + Curcumin + Vitamin D Triple Anti-Inflammatory Formula Enhanced hormone production and bone health Works better together 83

Dosage

Morning
Daily10-25mg daily
Anti aging maintenance10-25mg daily
Energy mood support15-25mg daily
Therapeutic higher dose25-50mg daily under supervision
MaximumGenerally not more than 50mg daily without medical oversight

When to expect it

First Effects2-4 weeks for initial energy and mood improvements
Peak Benefits8-16 weeks for optimal hormonal and anti-aging benefits
Deficiency DevelopmentNatural decline begins around age 25-30
Toxicity OnsetSide effects may occur with doses above 50mg daily

How to measure it

$100-200
MarkerDHEA-S (sulfate), testosterone, estradiol, cortisol, liver enzymes
OptimalDHEA-S: 250-400 μg/dL (varies by age and gender)
Deficient belowDHEA-S: <100 μg/dL
FrequencyBaseline, then 8-12 weeks after starting, then every 6 months

What people actually reported to the FDA

CAERS, 100 reports naming it as the suspect

Most reported effects

Heart rate increased 13
Blood pressure increased 10
Chest pain 10
Nausea 8
Dizziness 8
Named as the suspect 100 reports of 140 that mention it at all
Serious outcome 73% hospitalisation, emergency room or worse
Other Serious or Important Medical Event48
Hospitalization23
Visited a Health Care Provider22

Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →

What actually reaches you

The label counts the carrier, your body does not
Absorption Very high 80 of 100 · best absorbed form of this compound
Delivered daily 14 mg
Cost per 100 mg delivered $5.95 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage

Works better with

3 documented
+
Vitamin D3

Enhanced hormone production and bone health

Both support steroid hormone pathways · level B
+
Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Improved hormone synthesis and anti-inflammatory effects

Provide building blocks for hormone production · level C
+
Magnesium

Enhanced DHEA utilization and stress response

Cofactor for steroidogenic enzymes · level C

What not to take with DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)

2 documented
!
Excessive Cortisol

Competes with DHEA production

Both derived from pregnenolone precursor · high significance
!
Alcohol Excess

Impairs DHEA synthesis and metabolism

Disrupts steroidogenic enzyme function · moderate significance

Medication interactions

Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining
hormone-replacement-therapy Major

May have additive hormonal effects

What to do: Requires medical supervision and monitoring

insulin Minor

May improve insulin sensitivity

What to do: Monitor blood glucose levels

triazolam Minor

May enhance sedative effects

What to do: Monitor for increased drowsiness

Available forms

bioavailability compared
Micronized DHEA 80

Micronized DHEA: Well-researched, Anti-aging benefits, Energy support, Mood enhancement

Food sources

before you supplement
Natural endogenous production only Cannot be obtained from food sources · N/A
Wild yam (precursor compounds) Contains diosgenin, not bioactive DHEA · 5
DHEA supplements Synthetic DHEA identical to endogenous hormone · 80

Too little

deficiency signs
  • Low DHEA symptoms (common with aging):
  • Decreased energy and fatigue
  • Reduced muscle mass and strength
  • Mood changes and depression
  • Decreased libido and sexual function
  • Poor stress tolerance
  • Weakened immune function

Too much

toxicity signs
  • DHEA excess or sensitivity symptoms:
  • Acne and oily skin
  • Hair loss or unwanted hair growth
  • Mood swings and irritability
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Voice changes (in women)
  • Liver enzyme elevation (rare)

Who benefits most

adults-over-40-aging

Natural DHEA decline with aging

10-25mg daily, preferably morning
low-energy-fatigue

Support for energy and vitality

10-25mg daily with monitoring
mood-depression-support

Hormonal support for mood and well-being

15-25mg daily under supervision
immune-system-support

Age-related immune system decline

10-25mg daily
bone-muscle-health

Support for aging-related tissue changes

15-25mg daily with resistance exercise

Where to buy it

compare forms first

Look for DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) at 10-25mg daily per serving. The form that matters here is Micronized DHEA.

Find on Amazon

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

What else affects it

Beyond other supplements
!
Excessive cortisol

Competes with DHEA production

Both derived from pregnenolone precursor
!
Alcohol excess

Impairs DHEA synthesis and metabolism

Disrupts steroidogenic enzyme function

How it works

  • Serves as precursor to testosterone, estrogen, and other steroid hormones
  • Supports hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function
  • Modulates immune system activity and inflammatory responses
  • Enhances mitochondrial function and cellular energy production
  • Influences neurotransmitter production and brain function
  • Supports protein synthesis and tissue maintenance

Key findings

what the evidence supports
  • DHEA supplementation can restore youthful hormone levels in deficient adults
  • Most effective in people over 40 with documented low DHEA levels
  • Benefits include improved energy, mood, and immune function
  • Requires monitoring due to potential hormonal side effects

Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02

Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →

Common questions

What are the benefits of DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)?

Documented effects: Anti-aging and longevity support; Enhanced energy and vitality; Improved mood and cognitive function; Enhanced immune system function. Helps maintain youthful hormone levels and cellular function

How much DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) should you take per day?

The common daily range is 10-25mg daily. By goal — anti aging maintenance: 10-25mg daily; energy mood support: 15-25mg daily; therapeutic higher dose: 25-50mg daily under supervision; maximum: Generally not more than 50mg daily without medical oversight.

When is the best time to take DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)?

Morning. First effects are typically reported within 2-4 weeks for initial energy and mood improvements.

What are the side effects of DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)?

At excessive doses: DHEA excess or sensitivity symptoms:, Acne and oily skin, Hair loss or unwanted hair growth, Mood swings and irritability, Sleep disturbances. Safety rating at normal doses is 6 out of 10.

What should you not take with DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)?

Separate it from Excessive Cortisol, Alcohol Excess by two to four hours. Competes with DHEA production

Does DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) interact with medications?

Documented interactions with hormone-replacement-therapy, insulin, triazolam. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.

How do you know if you need DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)?

The marker is DHEA-S (sulfate), testosterone, estradiol, cortisol, liver enzymes, optimal range DHEA-S: 250-400 μg/dL (varies by age and gender). Common deficiency signs: Low DHEA symptoms (common with aging):, Decreased energy and fatigue, Reduced muscle mass and strength, Mood changes and depression.

Taken for