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Prohormone Substrate Introduction

Meaning

The clinical practice of administering a precursor molecule, known as a prohormone, into the body with the specific intention of allowing endogenous enzymatic pathways in peripheral tissues to convert it into a more potent, biologically active hormone. This strategy, exemplified by the introduction of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) to increase local androgen and estrogen levels, leverages the body’s natural intracrinology to achieve targeted hormonal optimization. It offers a more nuanced approach than direct hormone replacement by allowing local tissue regulation to govern the final active hormone concentration.