Dr. Alexander Landfield
Board-Certified Neurologist & Medical Director
Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is the most abundant steroid hormone in the human body and serves as a precursor to both testosterone and estrogen. Produced primarily by the adrenal glands, DHEA levels peak in the mid-20s and decline steadily thereafter, dropping by approximately 10 percent per decade. By age 70, most people have only 10 to 20 percent of their peak DHEA levels. At Rani Beauty Clinic in Renton, WA, Dr. Alexander Landfield evaluates DHEA levels as part of comprehensive hormone assessments.
The decline in DHEA has been associated with many age-related changes. Research has linked low DHEA levels to reduced immune function, decreased bone density, loss of lean muscle mass, increased abdominal fat, declining cognitive function, and diminished sense of well-being. While DHEA is not a single cure for aging, restoring levels to a youthful range appears to support multiple systems that deteriorate with age.
DHEA supplementation under physician supervision has shown benefits in several areas. Studies have demonstrated improvements in bone mineral density in older adults, enhanced immune response, improved mood and sense of vitality, and support for healthy body composition. In women, DHEA plays an important role in maintaining libido, vaginal health, and overall hormonal balance, as it converts to testosterone and estrogen in peripheral tissues. In men, adequate DHEA supports testosterone production and adrenal function.
At Rani Beauty Clinic, DHEA is never prescribed without first testing DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S) levels through blood work. Because DHEA is a hormone precursor, taking it without monitoring can lead to imbalances in downstream hormones including testosterone, estrogen, and their metabolites. Dr. Landfield monitors DHEA-S levels along with testosterone, estradiol, and other hormone markers to ensure supplementation produces the desired effect without unintended hormonal shifts. This precision approach distinguishes physician-supervised DHEA therapy from over-the-counter self-supplementation.
