Dhea tests

[LouBoo85]

Hi all

I am currently reading it starts with an egg which advises to test your dhea levels. Does anyone know whether this can be tested on the nhs and does anyone have any experience of supplementing with this?

Thanks

[Orla9298]

You can test it at home with a finger prick test using medichecks, Ideally you should test DHEA and testosterone, and you want to know that they are low-ish to take dhea I think. I used it and think it helped, but it’s only a good idea if you have low amh and/or low dhea x

[Sunshine809]

My consultant asked me to start taking 75mg per day, and when I asked her if I should be tested first she said it wasn't necessary! It's so difficult with so much conflicting information out there. I have therefore been taking it for about 8 months, but haven't had my levels checked, as per my consultant's advice 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Bella_Bee]

I took 50mg three times a day for 4 months before my second round of ivf which was wildly more successful than the first. But lots of factors changed so I would struggle to pin the success on any individual thing. My consultants both in London and abroad advised me to take it. I did check the levels just out of curiosity with a private blood test and they came back normal beforehand but the clinics were concerned about egg quality given that none of my embryos made it to day 5 on the first round. I am no doctor but I genuinely believe it made a difference and would take it again in a heartbeat.

[Hidden]

I took it without testing and had terrible side effects which really screwed my cycles up for ages, I lost a load of my hair and as really greasy and had terrible insomnia. Definitely check your levels first x

[LouBoo85 in reply to Hidden]

Oh no!! Poor you!! Well i have pcos and thyroid issues so I dobr know if it is a food idea and not sure whether it's worth paying for a test.. about to pay for ivf privately so need to stop spending all my money haha

[PaulaDag]

I had testosterone and dhea s tested on a regular basis via my gp as I was tweaking the amount to get my levels right. I ended up on 25mg dhea every other day to keep my level high end of normal. I had much higher egg numbers in that cycle versus the cycles I didn’t take dhea - 3 and 4 eggs versus 10 eggs when supplementing with dhea. I personally would take it again especially if you are older or have diminished ovarian reserve

[LouBoo85 in reply to PaulaDag]

Wow that is amazing!! Did you ask your go for the test or did they suggest it?

[PaulaDag in reply to LouBoo85]

I had to ask my gp and explain that my fertility clinic requested that I test these regularly due to taking dhea supplements. If pay privately it’s almost £100 each time. Luckily I have a nice gp but some could be more difficult

[PaulaDag in reply to LouBoo85]

Ps. I don’t think they recommend taking dhea if you have pcos but check with your fertility clinic