DHEA: Cortisol Ratio
This calculation represents anabolic and catabolic balance. Since DHEA acts not only as an anabolic hormone, but appears to down-regulate the cellular effects of cortisol, this measurement can theoretically enhance the predictive value of HPA axis dysfunction.
An optimal ratio indicates proper HPA axis homeostasis.
Lab Results Explained and Tracked
What does it mean if your DHEA: Cortisol Ratio result is too high?
- An elevated ratio reflects elevated DHEA levels as compared to cortisol, which favors anabolic activity. Specific cortisol and DHEA abnormalities should be evaluated as outlined previously.
- An increase in DHEAs/Cortisol ratio, was found in patients suffering from panic disorders. Suspect: An abnormal physiological response to stress, with shifting of the steroidogenic pathway to DHEA at the expense of cortisol.
Possible treatment options/lifestlye changes:
- Stress reduction: chronic stress can fatigue the adrenals. Rest, exercise, meditation, relaxation exercises
- Dietary changes: Balance blood sugar, lower calorie, high complex carbohydrate and high fiber diet
- Nutritional supplements: High-grade multivitamin and mineral. Additional Vitamin C, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, and zinc
- Herbal Support: American or Korean ginseng (Panax spp.), Siberian ginseng (Eleuthrococcus senticosus), Withania (Withania somnifera, aka ashwagandha), Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) to prolong the half-life of cortisol, Sarsaparilla (Smilax spp.) is a cortisol precursor.
All Your Lab Results.
One Simple Dashboard.
Import, Track, and Share Your Lab Results Easily
Import, Track, and Share Your Lab Results
Import lab results from multiple providers, track changes over time, customize your reference ranges, and get clear explanations for each result. Everything is stored securely, exportable in one organized file, and shareable with your doctor—or anyone you choose.
Cancel or upgrade anytime
What does it mean if your DHEA: Cortisol Ratio result is too low?
- A decreased ratio generally reflects a more catabolic state. It is associated with cortisol elevations and HPA-axis imbalances. Specific cortisol and DHEA abnormalities should be addressed.
A low DHEA: cortisol ratio is generally associated with chronic stress and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal imbalances. While often observed in individuals as they age, it may also be associated with cognitive and mood disorders, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.
DHEA levels in women tend to decrease more rapidly with aging (especially between 50-60 years of age) than DHEA levels in men.
Article Review & Sources
All our content is backed by peer-reviewed studies, academic research, and trusted medical sources. We're committed to accuracy and transparency — see our editorial policy for details.
Laboratories
Bring All Your Lab Results Together — In One Place
We accept reports from any lab, so you can easily collect and organize all your health information in one secure spot.
Pricing Table
Gather Your Lab History — and Finally Make Sense of It
Finally, Your Lab Results Organized and Clear
Personal plans
$79/ year
Advanced Plan
Access your lab reports, explanations, and tracking tools.
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track all results with visual tools
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export your full lab history anytime
- Share results securely with anyone
- Receive 5 reports entered for you
- Cancel or upgrade anytime
$250/ once
Unlimited Account
Pay once, access everything—no monthly fees, no limits.
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track all results with visual tools
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export your full lab history anytime
- Share results securely with anyone
- Receive 10 reports entered for you
- No subscriptions. No extra fees.
$45/ month
Pro Monthly
Designed for professionals managing their clients' lab reports
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track lab results for multiple clients
- Customize reference ranges per client
- Export lab histories and reports
- Begin with first report entered by us
- Cancel or upgrade anytime
About membership
What's included in a Healthmatters membership
Import Lab Results from Any Source
See Your Health Timeline
Understand What Your Results Mean
Visualize Your Results
Data Entry Service for Your Reports
Securely Share With Anyone You Trust
Let Your Lab Results Tell the Full Story
Once your results are in one place, see the bigger picture — track trends over time, compare data side by side, export your full history, and share securely with anyone you trust.
Bring all your results together to compare, track progress, export your history, and share securely.
What Healthmatters Members Are Saying
We implement proven measures to keep your data safe.
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.