Form Comparison

7-Keto-DHEA vs DHEA

How 7-keto-DHEA and DHEA differ in potency, absorption, tolerance, and cost.

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Quick verdict. DHEA is a hormone precursor converted to androgens and estrogens, used at 5-25 mg to replace a measured deficit, with acne and unwanted hair growth as dose-related side effects. 7-keto-DHEA is not converted to sex hormones and is marketed for metabolism on minimal, dated evidence. Choose DHEA only under a clinician for documented low DHEA-S; 7-keto is a thin-evidence product, and both are banned in tested sport.

Side by Side

7-Keto-DHEA DHEA (Micronized)
Absorption Variable High
How it is absorbed A DHEA metabolite that is not converted to testosterone or estrogen. Well absorbed orally; sulfated to DHEA-S in liver and adrenal and converted to androgens and estrogens in peripheral tissue.
Typical dose 100-200 mg daily 5-25 mg daily (replacement range)
Common uses marketed for metabolism and weight loss adrenal insufficiency (women), low DHEA-S with symptoms
Side effects Few reported; data are minimal. Acne, oily skin, hair growth in women; dose related.
Cost Moderate Low
Also called 7-oxo-DHEA prasterone, dehydroepiandrosterone

When to Choose 7-Keto-DHEA

Choose 7-keto-DHEA when you want to avoid sex hormone conversion and accept thin evidence. Human evidence is limited to small, dated studies. Also on the WADA prohibited list.

7-Keto-DHEA

Avoids sex hormone conversion, and with it most of the evidence.

What to look for: Only if you have a specific reason; 100 mg doses, and it is still banned in sport.

Find on iHerb Affiliate link

When to Choose DHEA (Micronized)

Choose DHEA when a clinician is replacing a measured deficit. Prasterone is also an FDA-approved vaginal insert for painful intercourse after menopause, a different route and use.

DHEA (Micronized)

The form used in the trials. Low doses with lab follow-up are the reasonable use.

What to look for: Micronized DHEA, 5-25 mg per capsule, USP or NSF verified.

Find on iHerb Affiliate link

Products on Titrate

994 of the 214,745 labels in the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database list DHEA as an active ingredient (482 on market). 715 are sold as DHEA products by name.

Open supplement search

DHEA does not have its own search category yet. Each product above links to its full label in the NIH database.

Related

References

MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. DHEA.

Orentreich N, Brind JL, Rizer RL, Vogelman JH. Age changes and sex differences in serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations throughout adulthood. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1984;59(3):551-555.

Morales AJ, Nolan JJ, Nelson JC, Yen SS. Effects of replacement dose of dehydroepiandrosterone in men and women of advancing age. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1994;78(6):1360-1367.

Parasrampuria J, Schwartz K, Petesch R. Quality control of dehydroepiandrosterone dietary supplement products. JAMA. 1998;280(18):1565.

Arlt W, Callies F, van Vlijmen JC, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone replacement in women with adrenal insufficiency. N Engl J Med. 1999;341(14):1013-1020.

Nair KS, Rizza RA, O'Brien P, et al. DHEA in elderly women and DHEA or testosterone in elderly men. N Engl J Med. 2006;355(16):1647-1659.

Wierman ME, Arlt W, Basson R, et al. Androgen therapy in women: a reappraisal: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014;99(10):3489-3510.

Labrie F, Archer DF, Koltun W, et al. Efficacy of intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on moderate to severe dyspareunia and vaginal dryness, symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy, and of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Menopause. 2016;23(3):243-256.