Dehydroepiandrosterone
From WikiPeatia
| Dehydroepiandrosterone | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | DHEA |
| Molecular formula | C₁₉H₂₈O₂ |
| Type | Steroid hormone (androgen precursor / "youth hormone" /neurosteroid) |
| Administration | Oral (with fat - olive oil or butter), topical/transdermal (preferred for androgenic effects) |
| Bioavailability | Oral: ~3%; Transdermal: ~33%; Subcutaneous: 100%. Topical is 6-10x more potent than oral and favors androgenic pathways |
| Synonyms | Dehydroisoandrosterone, Androstenolone, Prasterone |
| Source | Adrenal glands (zona reticularis), gonads; derived from cholesterol → pregnenolone. Pharmaceutical: synthetic |
| Ray's verdict | Supportive at low doses with caveats, aromatizes easily (easier in women, can have masculinizing effects), thyroid must be adequate |
