Oy, Thank god your here Trav. I never really looked into this one because I figured it was pretty safe.
Common side effects of taking DHEA
DHEA may lead to atherosclerosis - degeneration of the arteries caused by a build-up of fatty deposits - since it may destroy bad cholesterol and triglycerides along with HDL (good cholesterol). Hence anyone who takes DHEA supplementation should check their cholesterol level regularly.
People who use DHEA to reduce symptoms of depression including menopausal and perimenopausal depression often suffer from acne while other may experience facial hair, hair loss and increased perspiration.
Women who use DHEA to treat symptoms of depression should perform monthly self breast-exam and annual mammograms.
Unusual cardiac symptoms such as irregular heartbeat, skipping beats, heart palpitations, and elevated blood pressure. This is a common side effects of taking DHEA especially in people who take too much DHEA i.e. more than 10 mg per day.
Hormonal changes such as deeper voice, facial hair, chest hair, hair loss, mood changes, and increased sweating, menstrual changes in women and breast enlargement, breast tenderness, testicular atrophy, reduced sperm count and infertility in men. Both men and women may suffer hormone-related headaches and acne.
DHEA may obstruct the liver's ability to process some drugs and medications, leading to higher levels of the drugs being released into the bloodstream. Some medications that may interact with DHEA supplementation include: glucose-lowering medications, hormonal medications (birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy), cancer drugs, blood clot medications (e.g. aspirin and heparin), herbal supplements, heart medications, tamoxifen, etc.
Other side effects of taking DHEA supplements include nausea, abdominal discomfort, fatigue, nasal congestion, headache, acne, or rapid/irregular heartbeats. Women may experience abnormal menstruations, emotional changes, headache, and insomnia.
Some experts suggest that high doses of DHEA may inhibit the body's natural ability to make the hormone while others believe it's not likely to stop the body's own production.
It may be toxic to liver cells.
Hormone-related changes:
Women may develop signs of masculinization e.g. loss of hair on the head, develop deep voices, grow of mustaches, greasy skin, increased sweating, emotional changes, become sexually aggressive, weight gain around the waist, or acne in women because of excess production of male hormone testosterone.
While men may suffer shrinkage of the testicles, hyper-aggressive including sexual aggression, overly emotional male pattern baldness, breast tenderness, testicular wasting, and high blood pressure because of the excess testosterone.
Other hormonal-related side effects of taking too much DHEA may include increased blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, altered cholesterol levels, altered thyroid hormone levels, and altered adrenal function. I'm pretty sure I can do without more male pattern baldness, testicular shrinkage/wasting, and high blood pressure and I can only imagine that you wouldnt be too happy with a manly voice and a mustache Girlie. They are trendy now though
Thanks for being so in the know Trav.