Can DHEA Supplements Help Manage Hypothyroidism?
Treatment for hypothyroidism involves the lifelong use of supplementary thyroid hormones. These can include levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levo-T), a lab-made form of the thyroid hormones that need a boost, desiccated thyroid hormone (Armour, NP Thyroid), or liothyronine (synthetic T3 sometimes used in combination with T4).
DHEA supplements are commercially available. However, while some research has linked hypothyroidism and low DHEA levels, the field of DHEA research is still relatively new, and studies into its effectiveness as a supplement are producing mixed results.
One study involving 32 older males with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune cause of hypothyroidism, found that supplementing oral DHEA improved the thyroid’s ability to produce hormones and reduced signs of the immune system’s effect on the thyroid gland. However, the study was very small and didn’t examine whether this led to any meaningful clinical outcome for the males involved.
No strong evidence has shown that DHEA supplementation is effective for treating hypothyroidism’s effects. The FDA has approved DHEA as a vaginal suppository for managing genital pain due to menopause before, during, or after sex, according to the U.S. Anti-Doping Association (USADA). DHEA doesn’t have FDA approval for use in adrenal insufficiency, but healthcare professionals occasionally suggest it.
Also, bear in mind that if you partake in professional competitive sports, DHEA is the most common banned performance-enhancing agent in dietary supplements. Trying DHEA may result in sanctions from the USADA.
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