Guest guest Posted May 8, 2003 Report Share Posted May 8, 2003 , Based on Dr. Poesnecker's books, it's not possible to say what your high DHEA means without a simultaneous measurement of cortisol at several times during the day, as in the Diagnos-techs Adrenal Stress Index saliva test. If your cortisol is also elevated, then Dr. Poesnecker would say that you are in Stage 1 of adrenal fatigue. If the cortisol level is normal, and you have not been taking supplementary DHEA, then he would say that you are in Stage 6. Stage 1 is not too serious. It means that you are under stress, and that your HPA axis is responding appropriately, increasing the levels of both cortisol and DHEA. If you continue in this status for a long time, however, you could develop more serious adrenal fatigue. If you can relieve your stress, and take nutrients to support your adrenals, you will probably come back into the normal range. Stage 6 is much further along in the adrenal fatigue process, and it takes a lot more time and effort to restore a person in Stage 6 to normal. Dr. Poesnecker discusses his treatments of this condition in his books. His website is www.chronicfatigue.org. Rich > Hi > Does anyone know what the implications of high DHEA are . Does it mean > overactive immune system? > Here are some results that checked some hormones > The edocronoligist said > " I am not too certain what is the significance of the increased DHEA > because most studies show a decreased level to be significant " > > NR = normal range > > Testosterone = 17.78 nmol/L (NR 9.90-27.8) > FSH = 6.0 NR = 1.7-8.6 , > LH = 3.8 IU/L NR = 1.5-12.4 > DHEASO4 = 8.8 umol/L (NR 2.6-7.7) > Thanks > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2003 Report Share Posted May 8, 2003 I would like to make one more note about this. Saliva test showed low DHEA for me. I know that I am low in DHEA because of the symptoms. Than an endocrinologist wanted to know my DHEA Sulphate. It came out normal. This once more indicates to me that saliva test gives better results. Of course mainstream doctors don't accept it. Today I visited another endocrinologist. He definately refused to accept my saliva test. God! I am so dissapointed. Thanks. Nil Re: High DHEA | , | | Based on Dr. Poesnecker's books, it's not possible to say what your | high DHEA means without a simultaneous measurement of cortisol at | several times during the day, as in the Diagnos-techs Adrenal Stress | Index saliva test. If your cortisol is also elevated, then Dr. | Poesnecker would say that you are in Stage 1 of adrenal fatigue. If | the cortisol level is normal, and you have not been taking | supplementary DHEA, then he would say that you are in Stage 6. | | Stage 1 is not too serious. It means that you are under stress, and | that your HPA axis is responding appropriately, increasing the | levels of both cortisol and DHEA. If you continue in this status | for a long time, however, you could develop more serious adrenal | fatigue. If you can relieve your stress, and take nutrients to | support your adrenals, you will probably come back into the normal | range. | | Stage 6 is much further along in the adrenal fatigue process, and it | takes a lot more time and effort to restore a person in Stage 6 to | normal. Dr. Poesnecker discusses his treatments of this condition | in his books. His website is www.chronicfatigue.org. | | Rich | | | | > Hi | > Does anyone know what the implications of high DHEA are . Does it | mean | > overactive immune system? | > Here are some results that checked some hormones | > The edocronoligist said | > " I am not too certain what is the significance of the increased | DHEA | > because most studies show a decreased level to be significant " | > | > NR = normal range | > | > Testosterone = 17.78 nmol/L (NR 9.90-27.8) | > FSH = 6.0 NR = 1.7-8.6 , | > LH = 3.8 IU/L NR = 1.5-12.4 | > DHEASO4 = 8.8 umol/L (NR 2.6-7.7) | > Thanks | > | | | | This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with each other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any treatment discussed here, please consult your doctor. | | Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 9, 2004 Report Share Posted June 9, 2004 I can't interpret your results, but I also have high urine DHEA, but also high urine cortisol. Kell > Do any of you have high DHEA levels? I have had urine and saliva test showing my DHEA is triple what the top ref. number should be...way off the charts high. My cortisol is low, way low. My blood DHEA is on the low end of normal. What does this high DHEA indicate? Also my ACTH is low and I thought DHEA reflected that level. Too confusing. > > Thanks, > suzanne > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 9, 2004 Report Share Posted June 9, 2004 How was your cortisol test done? Urine,blood or saliva? What is your exhaustion level?May I ask? I am not sure as I am not an expert but It seems that you may be at level 6 of adrenal exhaustion. That is when adrenals are so tired to use the DHEA produced. Adrenals normally use some of the DHEA produced in production of other hormones if they get tired that can not do that and DHEA starts to accumulate.In that case one should not take Pregnenolone or DHEA supplement. For some more info check charts at http://www.chronicfatigue.org/ASI.html High DHEA Do any of you have high DHEA levels? I have had urine and saliva test showing my DHEA is triple what the top ref. number should be...way off the charts high. My cortisol is low, way low. My blood DHEA is on the low end of normal. What does this high DHEA indicate? Also my ACTH is low and I thought DHEA reflected that level. Too confusing. Thanks, suzanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 9, 2004 Report Share Posted June 9, 2004 Nil, I have had my cortisol checked in blood, urine and saliva, it is low in all 3 lately. My last ASI which was a few months ago before my DHEA started to rise I was between level 4 and 5. Maybe you are right I could be stage 6. What can I do now to stop myself from slipping? My ACTH in my blood is low that is why I don't have cortisol. I just don't know what to do to stop it from going lower. My DHEA on this latest saliva (it was a great smokies lab) was 577 and the top of the ref range was 277...so I am way high.. In the urine it was double the top reference range. If you have any ideas please let me know. Thanks, Suzanne High DHEA Do any of you have high DHEA levels? I have had urine and saliva test showing my DHEA is triple what the top ref. number should be...way off the charts high. My cortisol is low, way low. My blood DHEA is on the low end of normal. What does this high DHEA indicate? Also my ACTH is low and I thought DHEA reflected that level. Too confusing. Thanks, suzanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 9, 2004 Report Share Posted June 9, 2004 ne, I wished I knew the answer.Actually I have some idea on the answer but good results are very hard to accomplish. I am also moving in between stage 4/5/6 and seven since 4 years.I could not accomplish to move further backwards. I could not remember what type of treatment protocol you are following. If you prefer alternative and mainstream therapies? If you are interested in alternative therapies you may be able to get some help from alternative med practitioners.One of them was Dr. Poesnecker from whom I have learned all the info I have.He has explained all these in his book `Chronic Fatigue Unmasked 2000`. I wished you could get the book. It is something like 12 dollars and it worth. You may read the book and than decide what to do.Or you may start by checking his web site www.chronicfatigue.org. There is many articles which might give you an idea on the treatment protocol. There are also some other practitioners who accept and treat adrenal exhaustion. If I try to summarize his approach. For stage 5, 6 or 7 patients It is supporting the body by giving the missing cortisol from outside. He prefers using natural cortisone which is adrenal cortex extracts. Supporting the body by giving missing DHEA by either using Pregnenolone or directly DHEA depending in the gender and reaction of the patient.(Not for stage 6 patients) Supporting the body by giving other vits and nutrients needed. Handling allergies,infections,liver pancreas problems and other stress sources on the adrenals. Handling sleep problems if there are any. These make the patient feel better. Mean while if over activity exists agents like Seriphos is used to stop it. The aim is to give adrenals some time to rest and allow them to regenerate. Some adrenal regeneration agents like adrenal glandulars are used to help adrenal regeneration. and almost most important of all patient learns how to lower the stress level. This is not a quick fix program.Need life style changes which is very hard to accomplish sometimes.reduction of stress sources on adrenals is essential.Like psychological,intellectual,chemical,physical stresses. If you prefer mainstream docs I unfortunately don't know one who treats adrenal exhaustion. As I said above if you are interested in alternative adrenal support therapies it is very essential to get some info on exact nature of illness.Just getting some adrenal supplements may not help.Therapy is complicated and has many aspects. That is the truth so I needed to say that not to give you false hope. Please ask if you need more info. I wish you good luck. Nil High DHEA Do any of you have high DHEA levels? I have had urine and saliva test showing my DHEA is triple what the top ref. number should be...way off the charts high. My cortisol is low, way low. My blood DHEA is on the low end of normal. What does this high DHEA indicate? Also my ACTH is low and I thought DHEA reflected that level. Too confusing. Thanks, suzanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 9, 2004 Report Share Posted June 9, 2004 Nil, Thanks for all the info. I appreciate it. I am concerned that I may have secondary adrenal insufficiency. With my ACTH being low doesn't that point to the pituatary as the problem. Could these things still help me or do I have to take Cortef. I have taken it in the past and really don't want to take it again. Is there a difference in the primary and secondary treatments going the alternative route? What is your ACTH normally? Thanks, Suzanne High DHEA Do any of you have high DHEA levels? I have had urine and saliva test showing my DHEA is triple what the top ref. number should be...way off the charts high. My cortisol is low, way low. My blood DHEA is on the low end of normal. What does this high DHEA indicate? Also my ACTH is low and I thought DHEA reflected that level. Too confusing. Thanks, suzanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 9, 2004 Report Share Posted June 9, 2004 Suzzane, My DHEA-S is also very high and my cortisol low. A research report out a few months ago found many CFS patients had elevated DHEA. Your low ACTH is probably caused by pituitary insufficiency, common in CFS. Regards, Blake Graham High DHEA > Do any of you have high DHEA levels? I have had urine and saliva test showing my DHEA is triple what the top ref. number should be...way off the charts high. My cortisol is low, way low. My blood DHEA is on the low end of normal. What does this high DHEA indicate? Also my ACTH is low and I thought DHEA reflected that level. Too confusing. > > Thanks, > suzanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 10, 2004 Report Share Posted June 10, 2004 Hi Suzanne, Do you have a reason to have secondary insuff.? There are couple of things that causes it of which one of them is long term usage of cortiscosteroids. One of my friends has an important brain surgery and was given high doses of corticosteroids right after the operation. She was very tired afterwards and it took her about 6 months to recover.She did not take anything. Just rested. her resting was different than ours. She did not have hyperactivity periods we have. She laid down for weeks calmly.Our case is little different. We lay down when we don't have any cortisol but at the first instance of some recovery we start having hyperactivity problem and we exhaust ourselves again.If one can carefully observe himself, he will see the difference. I did not have ACTH test as I know that it is very hard on adrenals and I am not sure of ACTH is high at CFS`ers or not,or if it is high at some times and low at other times.Blake says that pituitary insufficiency is common in CFS. That is interesting. I would like to know if that applies to all cases or only to high level patients or if this changes at different times.I know that lately I am exhausted whole day for weeks and than after getting rest I start having hyperactivity bouts. This shows me that my ACTH secretion is not always low.If my ACTH is high when I am at my hyper periods than how is it when I am bed bound? I don't know that. It is either my ACTH is low at those times or my ACTH is high but my adrenals can not respond. If anybody brings any clarification to that I would be grateful. I personally was thinking that my ACTH was always high but my adrenals sometimes could not respond because they were so tired.So, Blake's statement was really interesting for me. Blake, If you have more info on low acth secretion at CFs people could you please give me the info. I would be really interested. The philosophy behind taking cortef or these natural compounds is the same. Only difference is that, some, like me, thinks natural compounds are better.Still,dosage should be monitored carefully for both and we need to calm down hyperactivity problem if it exists. If we can not calm down the hyperactivity,taking cortef of other cortisol compounds will not help in the long run because energy will be spend by us as it comes,no resting and thus no regeneration of adrenals will occur. `Is there a difference in the primary and secondary treatments going the alternative route?` I did not really understand that question. Could you please explain?If you mean primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency I don't know how alternative practitioners handle it. Our case is different. It is adrenal exhaustion and is not accepted by mainstream docs as primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency is. What is your activity level at this point? if you don't mind? Still,the best thing I would say at this point would be taking opinion of alternative care practitioner. If you have your saliva,ACTH and other tests in hand you will have to pay only for consultation and that must not be so much.Starting cortef or other endocrine supplements yourself might be risky. Best regards. Nil High DHEA Do any of you have high DHEA levels? I have had urine and saliva test showing my DHEA is triple what the top ref. number should be...way off the charts high. My cortisol is low, way low. My blood DHEA is on the low end of normal. What does this high DHEA indicate? Also my ACTH is low and I thought DHEA reflected that level. Too confusing. Thanks, suzanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 10, 2004 Report Share Posted June 10, 2004 Nil, The reason I worry about secondary insufficiency is because I took cortef for 7 months about a year and a half ago. I took 5mg am and 10mg pm. (i didn't know I wasn't supposed to take it at night, apparently neither did my doctor). After 7 months I weined off it and for the next 6 months or so I was between stage 2 and 4, bouncing back and forth on the ASI. My cortisol was high a lot of the time. Then about 8 months AFTER I got off Cortef my ACTH and Cotrisol shut down. I'm guessing that if it were caused by the steriods wouldn't it have happened right after I got off them? My activitiy level now is none. I am so tired I can hardly move anymore. My muslces are so weak I have to pause every few seconds while brushing my teeth because my arm is exhausted. Plus I feel like I am fighting an infection again, so I feel like I am dying. I also have a lot of autonomic problems with PVC " s all day, not sure how much of that is adrenal related. Do you think my low ACTH is not related to me taking cortef? I'm really concerned about that. Thanks, Suzanne High DHEA Do any of you have high DHEA levels? I have had urine and saliva test showing my DHEA is triple what the top ref. number should be...way off the charts high. My cortisol is low, way low. My blood DHEA is on the low end of normal. What does this high DHEA indicate? Also my ACTH is low and I thought DHEA reflected that level. Too confusing. Thanks, suzanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 10, 2004 Report Share Posted June 10, 2004 Hi ne, I am not an expert on Cortef but as I also think Cortef may not be the cause in your case.8 months is too much,if it was the cause the effect should be seen much earlier. There may be many other causes for your worsening like other supplements,illnesses. Or may be it was the natural course of the illness. Once one is in stage 4 life is very difficult to handle so worsening is almost inevitable if one is not in hands of someone who knows the illness well. I can not advise you any supplements but you do seem to need help ad I wished you would talk to someone who knows what he is doing.I would not dare to take any hormonal supplements myself at least at the beginning. Wish you the best. Please ask if you need to know anything else. Nil Re: High DHEA Nil, The reason I worry about secondary insufficiency is because I took cortef for 7 months about a year and a half ago. I took 5mg am and 10mg pm. (i didn't know I wasn't supposed to take it at night, apparently neither did my doctor). After 7 months I weined off it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 11, 2004 Report Share Posted June 11, 2004 hi i have had high dhea blood levels in the past , at one point over 300 which both my alternative people felt was very good ..i think they mentioned some kind of protection for the inflammatory process in my body but the conventional mds are alarmed at it being so high..at that point i was was taking 40 but not greater than 50 units of sublingual and /or cream dhea divided in two doses but as my allergys got worse my dhea dropped down to the 200 range and i had to stop dhea a year or so ago due to a new fibroid growth but am waiting to see if my ob /gyn will put me back on hormone replacement thearpy and /or dhea again... actually being on growth homrone may have changed this all now . tealk > [Original Message] > From: pine108kell <Peacefind@...> > < > > Date: 6/9/2004 2:30:20 PM > Subject: Re: High DHEA > > I can't interpret your results, but I also have high urine DHEA, but > also high urine cortisol. > > Kell > > > > Do any of you have high DHEA levels? I have had urine and saliva > test showing my DHEA is triple what the top ref. number should > be...way off the charts high. My cortisol is low, way low. My blood > DHEA is on the low end of normal. What does this high DHEA > indicate? Also my ACTH is low and I thought DHEA reflected that > level. Too confusing. > > > > Thanks, > > suzanne > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 14, 2004 Report Share Posted June 14, 2004 > Nil, > > Thanks for all the info. I appreciate it. I am concerned that I may have secondary adrenal insufficiency. With my ACTH being low doesn't that point to the pituatary as the problem. Could these things still help me or do I have to take Cortef. I have taken it in the past and really don't want to take it again. Is there a difference in the primary and secondary treatments going the alternative route? What is your ACTH normally? > > Thanks, > Suzanne Hi Suzanne There is no question about it high DHEA shows that your adrenals have been under stress and under functioning for a very long time. Nil gave you the reference from the Chronic Fatigue organisation and Dr Peatfield also writes about this in his book. It was the same with me but after 6 months on 2.5mg Prednisone my DHEA is now back in range for the whole of the 24 hours and this is the first time this has ever happened. Also my hair is regrowing after my having been nearly bald and also I am now really feeling well and able to walk, cycle and swim everyday. I am now a " normal " person. I had my amalgam fillings removed 2 years ago plus I chelated with alpha lipoic acid to get the mercury out. I am continuing to do this cos it takes so long to get rid of it all. My website gives further info www.bertiedog.com and I have also started a new called adrenalfatigue where we can discuss all issues related to worn out,underfunctioning adrenals. Best Wishes Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 14, 2004 Report Share Posted June 14, 2004 Pam, Is hair loss sign of high DHEA? Thanks Nil Re: High DHEA > Nil, > > Thanks for all the info. I appreciate it. I am concerned that I may have secondary adrenal insufficiency. With my ACTH being low doesn't that point to the pituatary as the problem. Could these things still help me or do I have to take Cortef. I have taken it in the past and really don't want to take it again. Is there a difference in the primary and secondary treatments going the alternative route? What is your ACTH normally? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 > Pam, > > Is hair loss sign of high DHEA? > > Thanks > > Nil Hi Nil Yes it was in my case. There also seems to be a genetic link in my case cos my Mum and Nana both had this by the time they were in their 40s. However it is highly likely they were both hypothyroid too and untreated. So perhaps some of us have a genetic disposition to our hormone systems shunting progesterone into testosterone instead of estradiol/cortisol. Anyway its so lovely to not be embarrassed any longer about my hair. There is new hair growth everywhere. Best Wishes Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 Strangely I had some hair loss problem last year. I could not figure out what the cause was. At that time I was taking additional pregnenolone. It could be that my DHEA was high at that time.My hair is okay now. Loss is stopped. Have you noticed any other signs of high DHEA? Thanks. Nil Re: High DHEA > Pam, > > Is hair loss sign of high DHEA? > > Thanks > > Nil Hi Nil Yes it was in my case. There also seems to be a genetic link in my case cos my Mum and Nana both had this by the time they were in their 40s. However it is highly likely they were both hypothyroid too and untreated. So perhaps some of us have a genetic disposition to our hormone systems shunting progesterone into testosterone instead of estradiol/cortisol. Anyway its so lovely to not be embarrassed any longer about my hair. There is new hair growth everywhere. Best Wishes Pam This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with each other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any treatment discussed here, please consult your doctor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 > Strangely I had some hair loss problem last year. I could not figure out what the cause was. At that time I was taking additional pregnenolone. It could be that my DHEA was high at that time.My hair is okay now. Loss is stopped. > > Have you noticed any other signs of high DHEA? > > Thanks. > Nil Hi Nil Yes it left me with very, very low cortisol, not enough for me to be able to get through the day in a normal way plus my sleep was very poor with frequent waking every night for 11 years! Now I have the tiny bit of Prednisolone plus the other natural adrenal support (plus 1/2 grain Armour and 0.25 thyroxine) I can carry on from 7 am - 11 pm and have a normal sleep pattern. Best Wishes Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2004 Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 > I have quite severe hair loss and I have never had mercury fillings and my Dhea is low. I started taking 25 mgs of DHEA and my endocrinologists raised this to 50 mgs. My DHEA (after another 24 hour salivary test) is now within the normal range - but my hair is STILL coming out. > > I was told to try Silica 2500 plus as this is supposed to be good for skin, hair and nails. Don't yet know about hair and skin but my nails are absolutely rock - I can hardly file or cut them they are SO hard. Just why do we lose hair in this way.It can be so distressing. I now wear a wig - ALL the time, but everyone thinks my hair is just lovely. It is just so hot during summer. > > Luv - Sheila > Hi Sheila My hair loss didn't improve until I took the 5mg Prednisolone starting last June. It is still improving with lots of new hair and that is still happening on the lower dose of 2.5 mg. Could it be you are too low in cortisol too? (The hydrocortisone didn't help much only Prednisolone for some reason). BTW Didn't you say you played with mercury as a child? Best Wishes Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 You are just lucky your body is making it and working dam good. Phil wildfoxhunter <wildfoxhunter@...> wrote: What could make DHEA go up if one is not taking a DHEA supplement? My DHEA was high before starting 500iu hCG QD, and remained high after taking it. What could make it read high, regardless of whether there is high or low testosterone measured in the same blood sample? Could it be some conversion enzyme is lacking? WF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 what function does DHEA play? my levels are 159 (range 80-569). is that considered normal? philip georgian <pmgamer18@...> wrote: You are just lucky your body is making it and working dam good. Phil wildfoxhunter <wildfoxhunter@...> wrote: What could make DHEA go up if one is not taking a DHEA supplement? My DHEA was high before starting 500iu hCG QD, and remained high after taking it. What could make it read high, regardless of whether there is high or low testosterone measured in the same blood sample? Could it be some conversion enzyme is lacking? WF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Can't DHEA convert to estrogen? Mine was low, but Dr told me not to supplement because of e conversion... > Re: high DHEA > > >You are just lucky your body is making it and working dam good. Phil > >wildfoxhunter <wildfoxhunter@...> wrote: >What could make DHEA go up if one is not taking a DHEA supplement? > >My DHEA was high before starting 500iu hCG QD, and remained high after >taking it. What could make it read high, regardless of whether there >is high or low testosterone measured in the same blood sample? > >Could it be some conversion enzyme is lacking? > >WF > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 I tried oral DHEA when I was younger it seemed to help libido but now all it does is make my breasts itch. If one took DHEA trandermally as opposed to orally it would be a better route. I supposely had dose titrated by DHEA tests which were 150 dollars a pop. It took 75 mgs orally to raise much. I could tell the Doc did not like the dose!! No comment though. He didn't test estrogens again like he should have. And that dose just made my breast itch and seemed to irritant the prostate. That adventure cost me in excess of 800 dollars and likely over 1000. Later, I trimmed the dose to 50 then 25 then 0. DHEA maybe better for women? > >What could make DHEA go up if one is not taking a DHEA supplement? > > > >My DHEA was high before starting 500iu hCG QD, and remained high after > >taking it. What could make it read high, regardless of whether there > >is high or low testosterone measured in the same blood sample? > > > >Could it be some conversion enzyme is lacking? > > > >WF > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 My wife has been taking DHEA 25 mg. daily for well over a year now. Works fabulously. Ron betaine_hcl <no_reply > wrote: I tried oral DHEA when I was younger it seemed to help libido but now all it does is make my breasts itch. If one took DHEA trandermally as opposed to orally it would be a better route. I supposely had dose titrated by DHEA tests which were 150 dollars a pop. It took 75 mgs orally to raise much. I could tell the Doc did not like the dose!! No comment though. He didn't test estrogens again like he should have. And that dose just made my breast itch and seemed to irritant the prostate. That adventure cost me in excess of 800 dollars and likely over 1000. Later, I trimmed the dose to 50 then 25 then 0. DHEA maybe better for women? > >What could make DHEA go up if one is not taking a DHEA supplement? > > > >My DHEA was high before starting 500iu hCG QD, and remained high after > >taking it. What could make it read high, regardless of whether there > >is high or low testosterone measured in the same blood sample? > > > >Could it be some conversion enzyme is lacking? > > > >WF > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 DHEA has a bioavailability rate of 3% when taken orally. If your wife is taking 25 mg that means she is actually getting only 3/4 of a mg per dose. The transdermal rate of DHEA jumps to 33%. If your wife emptied the powder in that 25mg capsule into a dish, mixed it with petroleum jelly or hand lotion and rubbed it into her skin, she would receive an 8 mg dose. Personally I insert a 5 mg capsule of DHEA vaginally and I expect I am getting approx 2.5 mg of that dose. The mucus membrane absorption rate is probably at least 50%. Taking hormones by mouth is both inefficient and possibly dangerous. The slightly higher risk of breast cancer associated with the WHI women's HRT study has been attributed by some to the orally administered progesterone. It is hypothesized that if progesterone had been delivered as a vaginal insert, rather than passing through the body via the digestive system, this risk would have been eliminated. There is also a burden put on the liver by the intake of oral hormones. I conducted an informal trial comparing 6 mos use of DHEA with 6 mos use of testosterone gel and could discern no difference. DHEA effectively performed the same functions for me (healthy libido, mental clarity, prevention of arthritic and muscle pain, etc) as Testosterone. DHEA's effect was purely androgenic. Perhaps in an estrogen deficient woman who was not taking supplemental estrogen as I am, DHEA might convert into estrogen to fill the need. My theory is that DHEA is no more likely than testosterone to convert to estrogen in men, but that either androgen will convert if circumstances are right for it. Trials have been done on older men who displayed symptoms of low T and these men improved substantially on DHEA. They were not on TRT. Men who are on TRT and add DHEA to the mix have complained that their E2 levels rose as a result, but this would probably also have happened if they had added more supplemental testosterone. At least that is my guess, for what it's worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 For me that is to low I take this and it has me up to 315 range 80 to 560 ug/dL on a test of DHEA-SO4. http://www.myvitanet.com/dhea260capph.html I take it just before I eat lunch. Her is a link on it. http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C11446.html Phil Jack <rockin813@...> wrote: what function does DHEA play? my levels are 159 (range 80-569). is that considered normal? philip georgian <pmgamer18@...> wrote: You are just lucky your body is making it and working dam good. Phil wildfoxhunter <wildfoxhunter@...> wrote: What could make DHEA go up if one is not taking a DHEA supplement? My DHEA was high before starting 500iu hCG QD, and remained high after taking it. What could make it read high, regardless of whether there is high or low testosterone measured in the same blood sample? Could it be some conversion enzyme is lacking? WF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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