Can DHEA Help With A Thyroid Condition?

In this article

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a natural steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which sit on top of your kidneys. It is one of the most abundant steroid hormones in our bodies, and levels peak between the ages of 20 and 35. Throughout adulthood, DHEA levels drop an estimated 80% by age 60, with the decline starting around age 30. This age‑related drop is one reason DHEA is marketed as an “anti‑aging” or “fountain of youth” hormone. 

DHEA levels naturally decline as we age, but they may also be lower in people with conditions such as thyroid problems. Here’s what you need to know about DHEA and whether it can help with a thyroid condition.

Like thyroid hormones, DHEA is subject to negative feedback from the brain. DHEA production begins with the hypothalamus, which releases a corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) to inform the pituitary on how to regulate the adrenal production of DHEA. The pituitary then secretes adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which is then received by the adrenals.

Once released, DHEA is converted by enzymes into active androgens (such as testosterone) and estrogens in tissues such as the skin, fat, ovaries, and testes. DHEA and its sulfate form, DHEA‑S, also interact with immune cells and may influence inflammation and cytokine balance. 

People take DHEA supplements because their levels naturally fall as we age. Several physiological changes that occur with age may be partially related to low DHEA levels. Supplemental DHEA may help in the following ways.

Bone health and osteoporosis

‍Both men and women are subject to reduced bone density with age. However, women are more prone to bone loss conditions like osteopenia and osteoporosis, especially postmenopausal women. Estrogen is a bone-protective hormone, so when estrogen levels fall after menopause, it can cause the bones to break down more quickly.

Some studies show that low DHEA levels may contribute to bone loss in both men and women. Low DHEA levels have been associated with lower bone mineral density in both women and men, especially with aging. In clinical trials, DHEA supplementation (often 25–50 mg daily) has produced small improvements in bone density in postmenopausal women, especially when combined with calcium and vitamin D. In men, the results are generally neutral. 

Mood and depression

‍Some research shows that daily DHEA supplements may help treat mild depression that does not respond well to other treatment options. In contrast, other studies show it has no effect.

‍There are also mixed results on whether or not low DHEA levels contribute to depression in the first place. For example, some studies found that DHEA levels in women in menopause with depression were higher than in those without depression. But other studies show an opposite relationship, where more severe depression was associated with lower DHEA levels.

‍Before DHEA can be a recommended treatment option for depression, more evidence is needed to understand if and how DHEA affects mood and the brain.

Sexual function

‍Because DHEA gets converted into estrogen and testosterone, higher DHEA levels may contribute to:

• Increased fertility
• Enhanced libido
• A reduction in sexual dysfunction problems

DHEA may be recommended during infertility treatment as it may increase the chance of fertilization. However, its most significant role in sexual function may be correcting sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women. The studies found that DHEA supplements may increase libido, lubrication, and arousal, which are often lower in postmenopausal women due to the loss of estrogen.

‍Other uses for DHEA

‍People take DHEA for numerous other reasons. For example, some people may use it to correct adrenal insufficiency, increase muscle mass, and support weight loss. However, more research is needed to determine precisely how supplemental DHEA can benefit the body overall.

The relationship between DHEA and your thyroid is complex and bidirectional. Thyroid hormones influence adrenal hormone production and metabolism, and DHEA may, in turn, affect immune activity and some thyroid‑related symptoms. 

‍There is some talk that DHEA may help thyroid function. People think DHEA may be effective for the thyroid because individuals with adrenal conditions often have thyroid conditions (like hypothyroidism). We also know that too much or too little thyroid hormone production can throw off other hormone levels, including those produced by the adrenal glands.

Additionally, many symptoms of low DHEA—such as fatigue, low libido, low mood, and joint aches—overlap with hypothyroidism and autoimmune disease. 

Few studies examine how DHEA and thyroid hormones may interact. One small study shows that people with hypothyroidism have lower DHEA levels compared to those who have normal thyroid function. (Interestingly, DHEA levels were normal in people with hyperthyroidism.)

In a hypothyroid cohort studied, low DHEA‑S levels predicted a symptom cluster resembling early rheumatoid arthritis, including fatigue and joint pain, even when standard thyroid labs looked “normal” on levothyroxine. Researchers proposed that low DHEA‑S might contribute to persistent fatigue and musculoskeletal pain in some hypothyroid patients. They suggested that DHEA supplementation deserves further study as a potential therapy for those with low DHEA‑S and arthralgias. 

The same study emphasized that patients with primary hypothyroidism on adequate levothyroxine may not be truly “physiologically euthyroid,” particularly when quality of life is poor. Because DHEA interacts with both immune and adrenal systems, normalizing low DHEA‑S might help some individuals feel better, but this hypothesis still needs confirmation in larger clinical trials. 

One of the most intriguing and still-emerging areas of study is how DHEA might influence thyroid autoimmunity in conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

A clinical study in 35 euthyroid women with untreated Hashimoto’s, low sexual drive, and vitamin D deficiency compared vitamin D alone to vitamin D plus DHEA. Over six months: 

• Both groups showed reductions in anti‑thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and anti‑thyroglobulin (Tg) antibodies, but the vitamin D plus DHEA group showed a greater decrease in antibody levels. 
• The combination group showed a slight decrease in TSH and increased DHEA‑S and testosterone. 
• Changes in antibody titers and TSH correlated with increases in DHEA‑S and testosterone, suggesting a link between improved androgen status and modulation of autoimmunity. 

Researchers concluded that vitamin D plus DHEA may be a better option than vitamin D alone for euthyroid women with Hashimoto’s and low sexual desire, but emphasized the need for larger trials. 

A separate study of men with autoimmune thyroiditis and subclinical hypothyroidism found that DHEA supplementation improved markers of thyroid autoimmunity and HPT axis function. Treatment‑related increases in DHEA‑S and testosterone correlated with reductions in thyroid antibodies and decreased TSH, again hinting at a possible immunomodulatory effect. 

Because DHEA is a precursor to androgens and estrogens, higher doses or prolonged use can essentially act like a mild form of hormone therapy. 

Before taking DHEA, consult your doctor first, as there may be unintended side effects. Some reported side effects of DHEA include:

• Hair loss (scalp)
• Unwanted facial/body hair growth in women
• Oily skin that may lead to acne breakouts
• High blood pressure and irregular heartbeat
• Unfavorable cholesterol levels 
• Mood changes, irritability, or agitation
• Gastrointestinal upset
• Changes in the menstrual cycle or spotting
• Worsening insulin resistance in some individuals.
• Headache
• Trouble sleeping

‍These side effects are more common in women taking higher doses of DHEA. 

We do not have long-term studies on how DHEA affects the body, nor do we fully understand how much it can affect other hormone levels, such as estrogen and testosterone. Therefore, working closely with your doctor before adding this supplement to your regimen is best.

Because long‑term outcome data are limited, guidelines typically caution against DHEA use in people with hormone‑sensitive cancers or significant cardiovascular risk, unless closely supervised by a specialist.^‍

Drug and hormone interactions

DHEA may interact with: 

• Hormone therapies, such as oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and testosterone
• Corticosteroids
• Some psychiatric medications and anticoagulants (through liver enzyme effects)

People with adrenal disorders, PCOS, significant acne or hirsutism, or a history of aggressive hormone‑sensitive disease should be particularly cautious. 

If you have a thyroid condition—especially Hashimoto’s—and persistent fatigue, low libido, or inflammatory‑type joint pain despite “normal” thyroid labs, you may want to discuss DHEA-S testing with your healthcare provider. 

DHEA‑S (the sulfated, more stable storage form) is typically preferred for blood testing because levels are more consistent throughout the day than free DHEA.^[4]

Very low DHEA‑S can reflect adrenal hypofunction, chronic stress, or normal aging, and results should be interpreted in context (age, sex, medications, other hormones). 

Testing is not necessary for everyone with a thyroid condition. It is usually reserved for those with persistent symptoms suggestive of adrenal or androgen imbalance after thyroid treatment has been optimized. 

If you and your thyroid‑savvy clinician decide to explore DHEA, a cautious, stepwise approach is essential.

• Start with a full evaluation: thyroid panel (including antibodies), vitamin D, sex hormones if indicated, and DHEA‑S

• Address basics first: optimize thyroid hormone replacement, vitamin D status, sleep, stress management, and anti‑inflammatory nutrition before adding DHEA supplementation
• Use the lowest effective dose: many studies used 25–50 mg/day, but sensitive individuals may need less, especially women
• Monitor closely: repeat DHEA‑S, thyroid labs, and sex hormones, and watch for acne, hair growth, mood changes, and menstrual changes. 
• Reassess regularly: if you do not see clear, meaningful benefits within a defined trial period (often 3–6 months), your clinician may recommend stopping. 

Here are some key takeaways about DHEA for people with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s:

• Before trying DHEA, connect with your thyroid doctor to see if your thyroid function is optimal with a thyroid function test and explore how you can improve your thyroid (and whole-body) health.
• DHEA is not a replacement for levothyroxine or combined T4/T3 therapy and should not be used to “treat” low thyroid hormone levels. 
• Preliminary research suggests DHEA—especially combined with vitamin D—may modestly reduce thyroid antibody levels and slightly improve thyroid axis function in certain subgroups. 
• Low DHEA‑S may contribute to persistent fatigue, joint pain, and lower quality of life in some hypothyroid patients, even when labs are “normal,” but this needs more research. 
• Because of potential side effects and hormone‑sensitive risks, DHEA should only be used under medical supervision, with individualized dosing and regular monitoring.

If you are curious whether DHEA might be appropriate for you, partner with a knowledgeable thyroid clinician—such as those at Paloma Health—who can tailor testing and treatment to your specific thyroid status, symptoms, and risk factors. 

What is DHEA and what does it do?

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone made by the adrenal glands that serves as a precursor to estrogen and testosterone and may influence immune function and inflammation.

Does DHEA help with hypothyroidism?

There’s no strong evidence that DHEA treats hypothyroidism, but it may help some people with persistent symptoms like fatigue or joint pain if levels are low.

Can DHEA improve Hashimoto’s disease?

Early studies suggest DHEA—especially with vitamin D—may help lower thyroid antibodies, but more research is needed before it can be recommended.

Why do people take DHEA supplements?

People use DHEA to support aging-related concerns like bone loss, low libido, mood changes, and overall hormone balance.

Should I test my DHEA levels if I have a thyroid condition?

Testing DHEA-S may be helpful if you have ongoing symptoms despite normal thyroid labs, but it’s not necessary for everyone.

Is DHEA safe to take?

DHEA can cause side effects such as acne, hair growth, mood changes, and hormone imbalances, so it should only be taken under medical supervision.

Can DHEA replace thyroid medication?

No, DHEA does not replace thyroid hormone therapy and should not be used to treat low thyroid hormone levels.

Who should avoid DHEA?

People with hormone-sensitive conditions, certain cancers, or cardiovascular risks should avoid DHEA unless closely supervised by a healthcare provider.

‍