regular dhea dose - confused

[hyperCat]

I've read a lot of posts where people say that 25-50mg of REGULAR dhea is all that should be used. Then I see other posts that say that regular dhea has a very low conversion rate to test, as well as a low absorption rate. On the other hand, 4-dhea is typically dosed way higher, and also has a much better conversion rate to test.

So, why would regular dhea be dosed so low? Does is tend to convert to estrogen at a higher rate than 4-dhea? Can someone provide some clarity on this?

Much appreciated...

 

[kisaj]

DHEA can and will convert to estrogen at higher doses. The conversion to test is very low and it is not consumed for that purpose, so there isn't any reason to take high doses. DHEA is readily absorbed, but dependent on the method, can convert to estrogen at a higher rate. Generally oral is viewed as the least beneficial method, but it certainly will increase DHEA levels. Sublingual and transdermal are preferred.

DHEA4 is different in position of bonding and that makes a difference in how estrogenic it is. It also converts to test better.

That's it in a nut shell.

 

[hyperCat]

Thanks for the response kisaj. So, I was apparently misguided in my thoughts about the reasons for taking regular dhea. I was under the impression it was to provide a boost to test levels, although I understood it would be a very modest boost. So if it isn't taken for this purpose, what is the primary reason for taking it? I understand it will raise dhea levels, but does dhea itself provide some sort of benefit on its own, before it converts to other hormones? I just thought it was the conversion to other hormones, primarily test, that we were after.

 

[kisaj]

Very much so. Getting DHEA levels into the upper normal range can help:

-memory
-energy
-libido
-stress
-bone density
-increase IGF-1
amongst other things.

It is a very important hormone.