Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) And Testosterone Concentrations In Human Hair After Chronic DHEA Supplementation

    March 2000 in “ Clinical Chemistry ”
    Pascal Kintz, Vincent Cirimele, Marc Deveaux, Bertrand Ludes
    TLDR Chronic DHEA supplementation slightly increases testosterone in hair but stays within safe limits.
    The study investigated the effects of chronic DHEA supplementation on testosterone concentrations in human hair. DHEA, a steroid produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands, can convert to testosterone and estrogen. Despite its use by athletes for potential performance enhancement, previous studies showed no significant effects on body weight or metabolism. The International Olympic Committee banned DHEA in 1996. In this study, seven male volunteers took 50 mg of DHEA daily for 30 days. Results indicated that while DHEA could convert to testosterone, the urinary testosterone/epitestosterone ratio was only slightly affected and remained within acceptable limits.
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