> It's very common for people in their forties to become deficient in both [[pregnenolone]] and DHEA, but occasionally it happens in younger people, usually because of an imbalance of [[thyroid]] and estrogen. In women, too much DHEA can have a masculinizing effect, so it's best to work on the diet, or to use [[pregnenolone]], which doesn't lead to an imbalance between [[progesterone]] and DHEA, since it turns into either, according to need. > Ten milligrams of DHEA is pretty safe for men, the most common side effects are pimples, oily [[skin]], and sex dreams. > If your [[thyroid]] is very low, you should be cautious with the DHEA, because stress hormones can cause it to turn to estrogen. 5 mg of DHEA taken with a little olive oil or butter can have a noticeable effect on your mood and muscle tone in a few hours. > [Oral or topical use?] Orally. > [DHEA, type 1 diabetic] If [[thyroid]] function is good, and [[inflammation]] is low, about 5 mg of DHEA is probably safe, but I think [[pregnenolone]] and cynomel would probably be as effective. > [15mg DHEA and 5mg [[testosterone]] every day for a woman?] DHEA and [[testosterone]] at those doses are likely to grow whiskers. 5 mg. of [[testosterone]] is about ten times what a woman produces in a day, and is about what a muscular young man produces. [(Reference)](https://archive.ph/o/OJZkW/https://raypeatforum.com/community/threads/ray-peat-email-advice-depository.1035/page-3%23post-14864) > [Dosage] Its production decreases fairly steadily with age, from a daily maximum of 12 to 15 mg in the teens, to nearly zero at 90, so [[supplements]] of 5 to 10 milligrams are usually safe for middle aged people.  > [Conversion to estrogen] [[thyroid]] and other antiinflammatory things (even [[aspirin]]) help to prevent conversion to estrogen. > [Would a ratio of 2:1 ([[pregnenolone]]  : DHEA) help mitigate DHEA conversion to estrogen, given no more than 15 mg of DHEA is ingested in a day?] Yes, I think [[pregnenolone]] can protect against stress and conversion of DHEA to estrogen; larger quantities would be o.k.