Lining too thick at baseline, cycle cancelled. Could it be DHEA?

[Nic_o_la_la]

Hey ladies of wisdom.

Feeling really gutted and frustrated that our second cycle has been cancelled because my lining was too thick at my baseline scan. I think it was 9.5 on day 2. The nurse tried to reassure me this isn’t unusual, could be totally fine next month and there are tablets I could take if keeps happening. But I’m so worried already what if it happens again next month and have to wait again to start. The waiting of infertility kills me!

I have noticed my last couple of periods have been a bit lighter than usual. Been taking DHEA now for about 7 weeks. I’m wondering if this could be affecting my hormone levels and why my lining hasn’t come away as it should? Wondering if I should stop taking it or not. Or get another blood test to check my levels first. Argh, this whole thing is a 🤯 and figuring out which is the best way to move forward with things. Any thoughts / advise would be much appreciated please! xx

[Zoe222]

Hi Nico_la_la I am so sorry that you are going through this. I had my first cycle cancelled - the wait is terrible!

DHEA - converts into testosterone and estrogen in the body. My cycle was cancelled due to high levels of estrogen, thick lining and not responding to the down reg. I did not take DHEA this cycle, so it does happen, don't blame yourself.

However, I wouldn't take DHEA without a blood test for DHEA, testosterone and estrogen levels first. From everything I've read on it, it can cause more harm than good if not taken correctly. The NHS clinic I am with asked me to take DHEA this cycle but this is only because my testosterone levels are at the very low end of normal and they are hoping it will convert into testosterone in my body. Low levels of testosterone are not good for egg quality neither are high, same with DHEA levels.

I hope your next cycle is the one! x

[Nic_o_la_la in reply to Zoe222]

Thanks for the reply Zoe! ☺️ It’s been a bit of a rubbish week processing ANOTHER wait. This journey is never easy is it! Yeah I was super cautious about taking the DHEA at first and didn’t take it for a while because I was unsure. I did do a blood test before I did so I knew my levels were right at the low part of the normal range. I have ordered another test anyway to check where my levels are now and make sure they haven’t peaked / I’m taking more than I need. My consultant recommended I take it for quality.

Thanks for the reassurance that’s it’s not just me though and this can happen. Keeping everything crossed that it was a one off and I can start next month as planned. Not sure I can take another knock right now!

Wishing you lots of luck with your journey too and hope when (if you haven’t already) start your next cycle it works too 🍀💜 xx

[Zoe222 in reply to Nic_o_la_la]

Hi Nicola, yes a much harder and longer journey than I ever thought it would be.

Ok so you are on top of the blood tests - that's good. I was told to take 0.75mg DHEA a day. I understand that this is the standard dose if that helps at all.

I've started my next cycle in mid-July and I am still to find out if I am going to progress to stimulation - a down reg. that feels like it's taking years. I was meant to be in chemical menopause but I've bled for the past 14 days. Hoping that I progress to the next stage.

Thank you. It's wait after wait - I hope it all goes well for you in your next cycle! Fingers crossed that it's a happy ending this time. xxx

[Bella_Bee]

Hi there, so this is my very own personal experience and I'm in no way medically trained. I took a combination of DHEA, CoQ10, melatonin and 1mg folic acid for 3 months before my second round of IVF. I was on 25mg 3x a day DHEA so a fairly substantial dose. I did do a blood test before taking it and my levels were normal but I was advised to take it anyway by both a foreign and london clinic and had seen enough reputable evidence to be convinced easily. My lining was fine and I went on to "make" 7 day 5 embryos on this cycle when I had no good day 5 embryos on the first. Almost certainly a combination of all sorts of things but I'm incredibly glad I took every single one of them before starting. Word of caution, dhea made me lose a bit of hair on my head whilst making my body hair grow like a beast! On my breasts as well. Ew.. but they haven't come back once I stopped. Good luck for the next round! X (I'm 38 with an amh of 9ish..)