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DHEA-S and Stress

Meaning

DHEA-S and Stress refers to the crucial counter-regulatory relationship between Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S), a neurosteroid precursor, and the physiological burden imposed by acute or chronic stress, typically mediated by cortisol. DHEA-S is often considered a resilience hormone, as its secretion from the adrenal cortex frequently parallels that of cortisol but often exhibits an inverse ratio during prolonged periods of HPA axis activation. A robust DHEA-S level relative to cortisol is a clinical marker of healthy adrenal reserve and adaptive capacity to stress. Declining DHEA-S levels in the face of chronic stress may signal a shift toward adrenal fatigue or dysregulation.