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What happens if your DHEA is too high?
A normal level means your adrenal glands are working right. A high level of DHEA-S could mean you might have: Adrenal cancer or tumors. Cushing’s disease, which can cause fat on the back of the neck and on the belly, full face, skin bruising, and excess hair growth.
What is the treatment for high DHEA sulfate levels?
In the case of an adrenal tumor, you may need surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. If you have congenital adrenal hyperplasia or polycystic ovary syndrome, you may require hormone therapy to stabilize your level of DHEA.
What causes high DHEA and high testosterone in women?
Causes of high testosterone in women. Various diseases or hormonal disorders can cause hormonal changes in women. The most common causes of high testosterone levels in women are hirsutism, polycystic ovary syndrome, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
Why would DHEA sulfate be high?
If your level of DHEA-S is high, it means that your body is making too much of the hormones. This excess may be related to adrenal cancer, tumors, or excess growth of adrenal hormone-producing tissue (hyperplasia). If your DHEA level is low, it may mean that your adrenal glands are not making enough hormones.
Does PCOS cause high DHEA levels?
High DHEAS levels are found in 22–25% of patients with PCOS (10). However, some studies have reported frequencies of DHEAS levels as high as 48–52% in PCOS (11). Another finding is that patients with high DHEAS levels are younger, thinner, and more hirsute than PCOS patients with normal DHEAS levels (10).
What is DHEA sulfate in females?
Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) is a steroid hormone produced mainly by the adrenal cortex, the outer part of the two adrenal glands that are located just above the kidneys. Though it’s an androgen (a male-type sex hormone), it’s produced by both males and females.
What does high DHEA mean in females?
If your results show high levels of DHEA sulfate (DHEAS), it may mean you have one of the following conditions: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, an inherited disorder of the adrenal glands. A tumor of the adrenal gland. It may be benign (noncancerous) or cancerous. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
How do you treat high DHEA in women?
Drugs that can decrease or lower the levels of DHEA in the body include:
- Antipsychotic medications, including chlorpromazine (Thorazine) and quetiapine (Seroquel)
- Budesonide (Pulmicort)
- Estrogens.
- Oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
- Dexamethasone (Decadron)
- Metformin (Glucophage)
Can high DHEA cause weight gain?
Side Effects May increase the risk of developing prostate, breast, ovarian, uterine, or cervical cancer and malignant melanoma or other hormonally-affected cancers. Hormonal side effects can be significant, including acne, skin changes, excess hair or hair loss, increased sweating, and weight gain.
Why is my DHEA sulfate so high?
An increase in DHEA-sulfate may be due to: A common genetic disorder called congenital adrenal hyperplasia. A tumor of the adrenal gland, which can be benign or be a cancer. A common problem in women younger than 50, called polycystic ovary syndrome.
What level of DHEAS indicates PCOS?
Laboratory Investigation of PCOS
| Test | Normal value |
|---|---|
| DHEAS | 600 to 3,400 ng per mL (1.6 to 9.2 μmol per L) |
| Androstenedione | 0.4 to 2.7 ng per mL (1.4 to 9.4 nmol per L) |
| 17 α-hydroxyprogesterone | Follicular phase < 2 μg per L (6.1 nmol per L) |
| Fasting insulin | < 20 μU per mL (< 144 pmol per L) |
Why is my DHEA sulfate high?
How do you lower DHEA sulfate in women?
Does high DHEA sulfate mean PCOS?
How high can DHEAS be with PCOS?
Why does PCOS cause high DHEA?
Examples of androgens include testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and DHEA sulfate (DHEAS). Androgens may become increased in women with PCOS because of the high levels of LH but also because of increased levels of insulin that are usually seen with PCOS.
How do you treat high DHEAS in women?
What level of DHEA indicates PCOS?
DHEA-S or dehydroepiandrosterone is another male hormone that is found in all women. DHEA-S is an androgen that is secreted by the adrenal gland. It is normal for women to have DHEA-S levels anywhere between 35-430 ug/dl. Most women with PCOS tend to have DHEA-S levels greater than 200 ug/dl.
What are the common causes of elevated DHEA levels?
Normal DHEA level: Your adrenal glands are working well.
Why would I have high levels of DHEA?
Known history of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
What does high levels of DHEA mean?
Normal DHEA level: Your adrenal glands are working well. High DHEA level: Your body is producing too much of the hormones. Excess hormone production could be related to adrenal cancer, tumors or adrenal hyperplasia (overgrowth of adrenal hormone-producing tissue).
What happens when DHEA levels are too low?
Your energy level may drop if you’re suffering from a DHEA deficiency, according to Pick. Symptoms of low energy can include feeling very tired, achy and weak. Low DHEA levels may cause you to lose both bone density and muscle mass, which can leave you feeling weak, tired and more prone to injuries such as bone fractures.