How to Lower Your DHEA Level

Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a hormone produced naturally in the human body. According to the Crossroads Medical Associates, DHEA affects all systems and a balanced level is important to overall health. It is not advisable to try to lower your DHEA level unless a physician deems it too high. Low DHEA can have significant effects on health such as bone density and muscle mass. Your DHEA level decreases as you age and by the time you reach 30, it will decline naturally. A balanced DHEA level can help you achieve a state of optimal energy.

A close up of a young doctor with a medical chart (Image: Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images)

Step 1

See your doctor and have a DHEA level test. Tests are taken in with various methods, but will often rely on urine or saliva to screen DHEA. The test will indicate whether your levels need to go up or down. Follow your doctor's advice on the correct DHEA level.

Step 2

Lose weight if obese. Reducing body weight does help to lower the DHEA levels in men. The Crossroads Medical Associates website states that this method in less effective for women.

Step 3

Take birth control pills if you are a woman. Some medications will lower levels. If you doctor agrees that in order to balance out your DHEA levels, you need to lower them, he may recommend birth control pills.

Step 4

Add a vitamin E supplement to your diet. Vitamin E is one way to balance out DHEA levels naturally. Follow the instructions provided with the product for proper dosage.

Step 5

Eat less meat. If your DHEA levels are high, decrease the animal protein you eat. Eating the correct amount of animal protein will help balance out DHEA levels.

Step 6

Repeat testing after attempting to balance DHEA levels. The goal is to reach a proper level. Follow your doctor's recommendation for repeat testing.

Tip

Those with low DHEA levels show signs of fatigue, depression, anxiety and poor sex drive. A hypersensitivity to sound may also indicate low DHEA levels. Individuals making too much DHEA will have greasy hair and skin, reoccurring acne and body odor. Women may grow excess body hair.

Warning

Do not attempt to lower DHEA levels without a doctor's consent. There are indicators that DHEA may help protect against certain illnesses. According to Anti-agingmd, DHEA may help treat Alzheimer's disease, depression, diabetes and lupus. There are some indicators that DHEA may help fight off cancer. Reducing levels unnecessarily may put you at risk for more serious conditions.