DHEA/7-Keto DHEA Ratio

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What's

DHEA/7-Keto DHEA Ratio is a measure of two closely related hormones in your body: DHEA and 7-Keto DHEA. DHEA, or Dehydroepiandrosterone, is a hormone produced by your adrenal glands, which are small glands located just above your kidneys. It's often referred to as a "parent hormone" because it can be converted into other hormones, including testosterone and estrogen. 7-Keto DHEA is a byproduct of DHEA. It's unique because, unlike DHEA, it doesn't convert into sex hormones. Instead, it plays a significant role in your metabolism, helping your body to burn fat and lose weight. The DHEA/7-Keto DHEA Ratio is a way of comparing the levels of these two hormones in your body. It is important because it helps to understand how your body is managing these hormones, which are crucial for various functions such as energy production, immune function, mood regulation, and body composition.

If Your Levels Are High

A high DHEA/7-Keto DHEA ratio could suggest that your body is producing more DHEA than 7-Keto DHEA. This might mean that your adrenal glands are working overtime, possibly due to stress or other factors. It could also indicate conditions like adrenal hyperplasia or adrenal tumors, which can cause an overproduction of DHEA. Certain medications, such as anabolic steroids, can also increase DHEA levels. On the flip side, a high ratio might mean that your body isn't producing enough 7-Keto DHEA, which is important for metabolism and fat burning. This could be due to factors like aging, as 7-Keto DHEA production tends to decrease with age. Overall, a high DHEA/7-Keto DHEA Ratio could indicate an imbalance in your body's hormone production, which can affect various aspects of your health.

Symptoms of High Levels

Symptoms of a high DHEA/7-Keto DHEA ratio could include fatigue, mood swings, weight gain, acne, hair loss, and irregular menstrual cycles in women.

If Your Levels are Low

A low DHEA/7-Keto DHEA ratio means that your body has less DHEA compared to 7-Keto DHEA. Since DHEA is a hormone that can turn into other hormones like testosterone and estrogen, a low ratio might suggest your body isn't producing enough of these important hormones. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as aging, as DHEA production naturally decreases with age. It could also be due to stress, as chronic stress can exhaust your adrenal glands, leading to lower DHEA production. Certain medications, like corticosteroids and insulin, can also lower DHEA levels. On the other hand, having more 7-Keto DHEA, which helps with metabolism and fat burning, isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's all about balance. So, a low DHEA/7-Keto DHEA Ratio could indicate an imbalance in these hormones, affecting functions like energy production, mood regulation, and body composition.

Symptoms of Low Levels

Symptoms of low levels of DHEA/7-Keto DHEA Ratio could include fatigue, depression, mood swings, low libido, weight gain, and muscle weakness.

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DHEA/7-Keto DHEA Ratio

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The Saliva Steroid LCMS Profile 23 analyzes 18 endogenous steroid hormones, as well as melatonin, synthetic estrogen, synthetic aromatase inhibitors, and 5a-reductase inhibitors.

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