DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone
Also known as: DHEA, Prasterone, 3β-Hydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one, Androstenolone, Fidelin
Evidence Strength: MODERATE
This ingredient is classified as unclassified risk (GIRI score: 6.5/10). The classification is based on mechanistic and clinical evidence: dHEA acts as a precursor to androgens and estrogens, converting into these….
Safety Profile
Common Adverse Effects
- Acne
- oily skin
- hair loss
- stomach upset
- insomnia
Serious Adverse Effects
- Hepatic dysfunction
- hormonal imbalance
- mood changes
- increased risk of hormone-sensitive cancers
Contraindications
- Breast cancer
- prostate cancer
- liver disease
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- People taking Anticoagulants
- endometriosis
Interactions
| Drug / Nutrient | Interaction Mechanism | Warning |
|---|---|---|
| Anticoagulants | may alter bleeding risk — monitor closely. Hormone therapies: additive effects — use with caution. Antidepressants: potential mood alterations — monitor for changes. | Monitor |
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Chemical Class
- Steroid
- Biological Class
- Hormone precursor
- Natural Source
- Endogenous adrenal gland secretion
- Scientific Name
- Dehydroepiandrosterone
- Chemical Formula
- C19H28O2
- CAS Number
- 53-43-0
Mechanism of Action
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
| Indication | Evidence Level | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| General | Moderate | Clinical studies on DHEA supplementation show mixed results. Some trials suggest benefits in improving bone density and mood in older adults, while others find minimal effects. The quality of evidence varies, with many studies having small sample sizes and short durations. There is limited high-quality evidence supporting its use for athletic performance or muscle growth. |
Pharmacokinetics
Recommended Dosage
| Condition / Use | Typical Dose |
|---|---|
| General well-being | 25-50 mg daily. Bone health: 50-100 mg daily. Mood enhancement: 25-50 mg daily. |
Dosage ranges are based on clinical studies and commonly used supplement formulations. Individual requirements may vary.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 1 high-quality study (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid hormone produced primarily by the adrenal glands.
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- DHEA supplementation carries a risk of hormonal imbalance, particularly in women, leading to symptoms like hirsutism and voice deepening. Long-term safety data are lacking, and there are concerns about its use in individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions. Regulatory agencies caution against unsupervised use, especially in children and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- USA/FDA — Approved
The available scientific evidence for DHEA indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 16/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 1 high-quality study (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 06 მარ 2026, 12:00
Evidence Distribution
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Animal study LOW evidence YELLOWSynergistic therapeutic effects of metformin and curcumin on polycystic ovary syndrome via regulation of insulin resistance and oxidative stress in a rat… ↗Zheng L et al.. Synergistic therapeutic effects of metformin and curcumin on polycystic ovary syndrome via regulation of insulin resistance and oxidative stress in a rat model.. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2026. PMID:41778159.PMID 41778159 ↗Journal Front Endocrinol (Lausanne)Year 2026Study type Animal studyEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41778159/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWMETRON: Metabolic Dynamic Perception Kolmogorov-Arnold Network for Biological Age Estimation. ↗Li Z et al.. METRON: Metabolic Dynamic Perception Kolmogorov-Arnold Network for Biological Age Estimation.. IEEE Trans Comput Biol Bioinform. 2026. PMID:41774660.PMID 41774660 ↗Journal IEEE Trans Comput Biol BioinformYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41774660/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWSex hormones and sexual health in chronic kidney disease before and after kidney transplantation. ↗Lobo AS et al.. Sex hormones and sexual health in chronic kidney disease before and after kidney transplantation.. J Nephrol. 2026. PMID:41774595.PMID 41774595 ↗Journal J NephrolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41774595/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWLC-MS/MS-based simultaneous high-sensitivity quantification of clinically relevant high-potency androgens and estrogens in plasma and serum. ↗Caron P et al.. LC-MS/MS-based simultaneous high-sensitivity quantification of clinically relevant high-potency androgens and estrogens in plasma and serum.. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2026. PMID:41762488.PMID 41762488 ↗Journal J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life SciYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41762488/
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Animal study LOW evidence YELLOWImpact of Sodium Butyrate Supplementation on Insulin Resistance and Adipose Tissue Modulation in Murine Models of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. ↗Ferreira MM et al.. Impact of Sodium Butyrate Supplementation on Insulin Resistance and Adipose Tissue Modulation in Murine Models of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.. Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2026. PMID:41758750.PMID 41758750 ↗Journal Gynecol Obstet InvestYear 2026Study type Animal studyEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41758750/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWSex Hormones and Keratoconus: In Search of the Link. ↗Makrypoulias I et al.. Sex Hormones and Keratoconus: In Search of the Link.. J Clin Med. 2026. PMID:41753215.PMID 41753215 ↗Journal J Clin MedYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41753215/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWCapturing Emotions Induced by Fragrances in Saliva: Objective Emotional Assessment Based on Molecular Biomarker Profiles. ↗Molina L et al.. Capturing Emotions Induced by Fragrances in Saliva: Objective Emotional Assessment Based on Molecular Biomarker Profiles.. Biosensors (Basel). 2026. PMID:41744700.PMID 41744700 ↗Journal Biosensors (Basel)Year 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41744700/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAdrenarche as a regulator of sensitivity to early adversity. ↗Herbert J. Adrenarche as a regulator of sensitivity to early adversity.. J Neuroendocrinol. 2026. PMID:41736470.PMID 41736470 ↗Journal J NeuroendocrinolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41736470/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWMetabolomics reveals early predictors of blastocyst formation in equine ICSI-derived embryos. ↗Tsopp E et al.. Metabolomics reveals early predictors of blastocyst formation in equine ICSI-derived embryos.. Theriogenology. 2026. PMID:41734440.PMID 41734440 ↗Journal TheriogenologyYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41734440/
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Systematic review HIGH evidence YELLOWHormonal Modulation of Keratoconus: A Systematic Review and Screening Strategy for At-Risk Populations. ↗Ashraf M et al.. Hormonal Modulation of Keratoconus: A Systematic Review and Screening Strategy for At-Risk Populations.. Ophthalmol Sci. 2026. PMID:41732592.PMID 41732592 ↗Journal Ophthalmol SciYear 2026Study type Systematic reviewEvidence strength HIGH evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41732592/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for DHEA. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a high safety concern. Its use in dietary supplements is associated with documented adverse events.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the High classification for DHEA
A score of 6.5 places this ingredient in the High band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
1 jurisdiction has active restrictions or advisories. Regulatory signals are recorded as Safety Signals and raise the S component.
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.