Twenty-eight-year-old working mom Lisa was so worn out when she came to see me, she couldn’t get out of bed. Just driving to my practice took everything she had.
I listened to her story and recommended we test her adrenal glands. The results revealed severe adrenal imbalance and low levels of an important hormone called DHEA.
DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, is a natural steroid and precursor hormone produced by the adrenals. It’s also available at health food stores and online as an over-the-counter supplement.
Manufacturers hype it as a magic cure-all for many things: muscle loss, weight gain, osteoporosis, depression— even menopause.
A few years ago, headlines linked DHEA to athletes “doping” with steroids, leading to a lot of confusion about DHEA, its role in the body, and how it should be used. DHEA was labeled as everything from a “fountainof-youth drug” to a fraud. But its very real benefits, particularly for women, got a little lost in all the controversy.
The truth is, for the women who need it, adrenal support with DHEA supplementation can make a big difference. I’ve seen it help patients get going again when they feel like they’ve hit rock bottom. But it’s never as simple as just popping a pill.
When used appropriately—in a therapeutic setting under medical supervision—DHEA is a critical component of a plan to jump-start hormonal balance.
Just ask Lisa. After two months
