Adrenopause is defined as an adrenal cortex insufficiency with low levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate (DS) in the presence of normal cortisol blood levels. Some of the effects of the reduction of DHEA are due to the role of DHEA as a building block for the sex hormones.
DHEA supplementation is believed to be of benefit in the treatment and prevention of degenerative diseases in the aging process. The usual daily dose of DHEA is 50-100 mg. for men and 25-50 mg. for women. These doseage levels increase the serum DS levels to the pharmacological range.
The author studied a series of patients to raise the peak levels of DS to 2.0-2.8 pg/ml in women and 4.0-5.0 pg/ml. in men. These levels are believed to be healthy levels for adults in the third decade of life. The side effects of inadequate dosage in women included sleepiness, restlessness, headache, acne/hirsutism, and odors. Men rarely had side effects.
CONCLUSION: The author recommends a daily dosage of DHEA for adrenopause of 5-50 mg. for women and 15-100 mg. for men based on this study of DS blood levels. The author further suggests that the higher doses of DHEA be used for systemic lupus erythematosus and related diseases. Dosage for adrenopause would be ideally based on serum levels of DS.
NOTE: The outer layer of the adrenal glands (cortex) produces chemicals related to the body’s sex hormones and metabolism. The inner layer of the adrenal glands (medulla) produces chemicals related to stress (such as cortisol). The complete article is in German and is not available for review at this time.
PMID: 12649580.
Summary #104.
