Meta Information
ID:dhea
Name:
Schema Version:AIM-2.0
Interactions
Target id:
/condition/hormone-sensitive-cancer
Target name:
Hormone-Sensitive Cancers (Breast, Prostate, Ovarian)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
DHEA can be converted into estrogens and androgens, which may stimulate the growth of hormone-dependent cancers.
Actionable advice:
Avoid DHEA completely if you have a history of, or are at high risk for, hormone-sensitive cancers.
Target id:
/condition/pregnancy
Target name:
Pregnancy
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
DHEA supplementation can alter maternal and fetal hormone levels, potentially causing harm to the developing fetus.
Actionable advice:
Avoid DHEA completely during pregnancy.
Target id:
/condition/lactation
Target name:
Breastfeeding (Lactation)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
DHEA can pass into breast milk and may adversely affect an infant's hormone levels.
Actionable advice:
Avoid DHEA completely while breastfeeding.
Target id:
/condition/bipolar-disorder
Target name:
Bipolar Disorder or History of Mania
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
DHEA supplementation has been reported to trigger manic episodes, psychosis, or mood instability in individuals with bipolar disorder.
Actionable advice:
Avoid DHEA completely if you have bipolar disorder or a history of mania.
Target id:
/condition/pcos
Target name:
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Women with PCOS often have naturally high levels of androgens, including DHEA-S. Supplementation can exacerbate symptoms like acne, hirsutism, and insulin resistance.
Actionable advice:
Avoid DHEA completely if you have PCOS, unless specifically directed by an endocrinologist.
Target id:
/class/estrogens
Target name:
Estrogen Therapy (HRT)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
DHEA can be converted to estrogen; concurrent use can lead to excessively high estrogen levels and increase the risk of side effects.
Actionable advice:
Avoid using DHEA with estrogen therapy unless specifically directed and monitored by a physician.
Target id:
/intervention/testosterone_systemic_healthspan
Target name:
Testosterone Therapy
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
DHEA is a precursor to testosterone; concurrent use can lead to excessively high androgen levels and increase the risk of side effects.
Actionable advice:
Avoid using DHEA with testosterone therapy unless specifically directed and monitored by a physician.
Target id:
/class/selective-estrogen-receptor-modulators
Target name:
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
DHEA can be converted into estrogens, potentially counteracting the therapeutic effects of medications like tamoxifen or raloxifene, which are designed to block estrogen activity.
Actionable advice:
Avoid DHEA completely when taking SERMs.
Target id:
/class/aromatase-inhibitors
Target name:
Aromatase Inhibitors
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
DHEA provides the raw material for estrogen production, which directly undermines the mechanism of aromatase inhibitors (e.g., anastrozole) designed to block this process.
Actionable advice:
Avoid DHEA completely when taking aromatase inhibitors.
Target id:
/intervention/insulin
Target name:
Insulin Therapy
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
DHEA may enhance insulin sensitivity, significantly increasing the risk of severe hypoglycemia when used with injectable insulin.
Actionable advice:
Use DHEA only under strict medical supervision with frequent blood glucose monitoring and potential insulin dose adjustments.
Target id:
/condition/hepatic-impairment
Target name:
Hepatic Impairment
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
The liver metabolizes DHEA; supplementation may exacerbate existing liver conditions or place undue stress on a compromised liver.
Actionable advice:
Use with extreme caution and under medical supervision if you have liver disease.
Target id:
/class/antidiabetic-medications
Target name:
Diabetes Medications
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
DHEA may improve insulin sensitivity, potentially increasing the glucose-lowering effect of diabetes medications and raising the risk of hypoglycemia.
Actionable advice:
Monitor blood glucose closely when starting DHEA and consult your doctor about potential medication adjustments.
Target id:
/class/anticoagulants-antiplatelets
Target name:
Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
DHEA may have a mild antiplatelet effect, which could additively increase the risk of bleeding when combined with blood-thinning medications.
Actionable advice:
Use with caution and consult your doctor if you are taking blood thinners like warfarin, clopidogrel, or aspirin.
Target id:
/condition/seizure-disorder
Target name:
Seizure Disorder / Epilepsy
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
DHEA may alter neurotransmitter activity and has been anecdotally linked to a lower seizure threshold in susceptible individuals.
Actionable advice:
Use with caution and under medical supervision if you have a history of seizures.
Target id:
/class/antipsychotics
Target name:
Antipsychotic Medications
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
DHEA may alter neurotransmitter levels, potentially interfering with the mechanism of action of antipsychotic drugs or worsening underlying psychiatric symptoms.
Actionable advice:
Consult your psychiatrist before using DHEA if you are taking antipsychotic medication.
Target id:
/dietary/high-fat-meal
Target name:
Meal Containing Fat
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
As a fat-soluble hormone, DHEA absorption from the gut is significantly improved when taken with a source of dietary fat.
Actionable advice:
Take DHEA at the same time as a meal that includes healthy fats like avocado, nuts, or olive oil.
Target id:
/biomarker/dhea-s
Target name:
DHEA-S
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
DHEA supplementation directly increases DHEA-S levels; regular monitoring is required to ensure dosing is appropriate and levels remain within a safe and effective range.
Actionable advice:
Test DHEA-S levels at baseline and every 3-6 months thereafter to guide dosing.
Target id:
/biomarker/comprehensive-sex-hormone-panel
Target name:
Comprehensive Sex Hormone Panel
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
DHEA is a precursor to testosterone and estrogen. Monitoring downstream hormones is critical to prevent supraphysiological levels and imbalances.
Actionable advice:
Regularly monitor total/free testosterone, estradiol, and SHBG to ensure they remain in optimal ranges.
Target id:
/biomarker/prostate-specific-antigen
Target name:
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Because DHEA can increase androgen levels, it is crucial for men to monitor PSA to screen for any potential changes in prostate health.
Actionable advice:
Men over 40 should monitor PSA levels at baseline and at least annually while taking DHEA.
Target id:
/circadian/wake
Target name:
Waking Up
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
null
Hours after target:
1
Description:
Endogenous DHEA levels naturally peak in the morning; taking it upon waking mimics the body's natural circadian rhythm for this hormone.
Actionable advice:
Take your DHEA dose in the morning, ideally within an hour of waking.
Target id:
/circadian/sleep
Target name:
Going to Sleep
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
6
Hours after target:
null
Description:
DHEA can have mildly stimulating or androgenic effects that may interfere with sleep onset or quality if taken too close to bedtime.
Actionable advice:
Avoid taking DHEA within 6 hours of your intended bedtime.
Target id:
/class/cyp3a4-substrates
Target name:
CYP3A4 Substrates
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
There is a theoretical possibility that DHEA could alter the metabolism of drugs processed by the CYP3A4 enzyme, though the clinical significance of this is not well established.
Actionable advice:
Be aware of this theoretical interaction if taking sensitive CYP3A4-metabolized drugs; no specific action is typically required.