Maintaining healthy hormone levels improves quality of life in every way. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is one of the most important hormones in the body as it regulates the production of androgen and estrogen. However, the elevated level of DHEA in the system may be associated with hyperandrogenic effects. To lower your DHEA levels, start by eating a healthy diet, exercising, and getting the right amount of sleep. Talk to a doctor and ask him to monitor your levels over time. Be careful with any medication you take, and you will start to see and feel positive results.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Getting Medical Help
Step 1. Talk to a doctor
Make an appointment with a general practitioner or an endocrinologist, a specialist who treats hormonal disorders. He will ask about your medical history and will take a blood test to check your DHEA levels. Bring a list of questions to get the most out of the consultation.
- The blood test will also be used to rule out major problems with your adrenal glands, such as Addison's disease. The doctor will look for DHEA-S because this is the type that the adrenal gland secretes.
- Your doctor will likely tell you that it's important to lower your DHEA levels, as high levels can cause aggression and irregular blood pressure, and other health problems. Fortunately, one benefit of lowering DHEA levels is that most of the health problems they cause disappear as the numbers drop.
Step 2. Consume foods rich in zinc or take a zinc supplement
This mineral can reduce swelling and inflammation in the body. Zinc can help if you are experiencing bloating and you know your DHEA levels are high. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements. Consume foods rich in zinc:
- Meat, mainly beef, pork, lamb and the dark meat of chicken;
- Nuts;
- Bean;
- Whole grains;
- Yeast.
Step 3. Monitor any pre-existing conditions
DHEA levels can have a direct impact on other areas of health, including other diseases you are fighting. With your doctor, do more monitoring for diabetes, liver disease, or cancer when trying to lower your DHEA levels. This proactive approach can keep you healthy in the long run.
Step 4. Observe drug interactions
Certain medications have the side effect of increasing DHEA levels. Talk to your doctor before starting any new medications if you are trying to keep your DHEA level low. Assess all medications you are currently taking.
For example, diabetes medications such as metformin are often associated with increased DHEA
Step 5. Discontinue use of synthetic DHEA supplements
Talk to your doctor about gradually tapering off or stopping your use of prescription or over-the-counter hormonal medications all at once. It's nearly impossible to lower your DHEA levels if you're taking medications that stimulate them.
Be aware that tapering off the use of these medications can take months. Be patient and you will see positive results over time
Step 6. Perform surgical treatment
Your doctor may recommend surgery if the excess DHEA is caused by a large tumor. Talk about the risks and rewards of any surgery before agreeing to the procedure. The benefit of surgery is the possibility of lowering DHEA levels quickly.
Method 2 of 3: Making Lifestyle Changes
Step 1. Consult a physician before making any changes
Make an appointment to discuss your ideas if you are trying to control your DHEA levels through diet and exercise. The doctor may be able to offer other ideas and advice on what works and what doesn't. He can also start monitoring your DHEA levels so you'll know how to adjust to lifestyle changes.
Step 2. Adopt the right diet
To be clear, foods do not contain DHEA directly. But consuming certain foods stimulates the body to produce more or less DHEA and other hormones. Avoid foods that elevate DHEA, such as wild yam, sugar, wheat, and dairy products if you are trying to lower DHEA levels. Follow a diet that emphasizes eating foods with anti-inflammatory properties, such as tomatoes, olive oil, and salmon.
Step 3. Exercise, but don't overdo it
Working out at least three times a week is a great way to keep DHEA levels under control. Include aerobics and weight training to see more benefits. Working out helps you gain muscle and lose fat.
Remember that excessive exercise can increase your DHEA levels
Step 4. Maintain a healthy weight
See the Body Mass Index (BMI) chart to get an idea of how much weight you should be in relation to your height and age. When the body carries extra weight, fat cells store DHEA. The body also produces excess estrogen, DHEA and other hormones.
Step 5. Sleep for the right amount of time
To better control hormones, try to sleep eight hours a night. Create a sleep routine that works for you and stick to it regularly.
Step 6. Reduce stress
The body is very sensitive to stress and can react by producing excess hormones such as DHEA. To keep this hormone in check, find ways to relax daily. Try practicing yoga, which can be done both at work and at home. Practice deep breathing techniques. Eat an outdoor meal daily to enjoy nature. Go to the movies or take a painting class with your friends.
Ask your doctor to monitor your blood pressure levels in addition to your DHEA results. You can see improvement in many areas of your life if you participate in stress-relieving activities
Method 3 of 3: Making Safe Changes
Step 1. Observe natural reductions with age
DHEA levels generally increase in their 20s, when a person has reached full hormonal and physical maturity. These levels naturally start to decrease until there is no more DHEA until you reach age 90. Talk to your doctor about managing decreasing DHEA levels with age while taking other initiatives, such as dietary changes.
Step 2. Be careful not to shrink too much
When trying to lower your DHEA levels, go to your doctor for regular blood tests. An excessive alteration in DHEA production is linked to dangerous diseases such as certain cancers and type 2 diabetes.
Step 3. Minimize cortisol consumption
Injections of this hormone are linked to high levels of DHEA. Talk to your doctor if you decide to take cortisol medications. He may also recommend it as a partial substitute for falling DHEA levels. This is a strategy often used by athletes with rigid training.
Step 4. Choose a non-hormonal contraceptive
The chemicals found in many birth control pills increase DHEA levels. To determine if you are taking pills with testosterone-like effects, read the drug label and talk to your doctor. Talk to a gynecologist if you are thinking about having a birth control injection.
Non-hormonal methods, such as a copper IUD, have the same contraceptive benefits without the risk of progestin. Many people with migraine or hair loss with hormonal methods consider these methods a good alternative
Step 5. Don't make any changes
You can safely decide not to treat high levels of DHEA if they are asymptomatic or if you have no apparent symptoms. Or, make some of the suggested lifestyle changes and see what happens. In some cases, even DHEA-secreting tumors are left intact because surgery can be more problematic than excess hormone.