Run out of DHEA 4 days before retrieval, buy more?

[Eggfreezing36]

Hi all,

I am going to run out of DHEA 3-4 days before my egg retrieval and the amount I have (8 pills or so) means I need to go down to 50mg a day not 75mg to make it last as many days as possible.

I know this is my own fault for being disorganised and not checking the bottle, pfft.

I have asked my clinic is this OK or will it cause a negative effect and they said it SHOULD be OK - they usually advise taking DHEA up until the day before egg collection - but they don't have any research to say, so they can't really advise me (I guess they have to say this from a legal perspective).

Does anyone here have any advice? I could get a prescription from my clinic - it would mean paying £100 for just a few days of pills. I am minded not to, as surely a drop in testosterone levels can not negatively impact? But in the absence of a definite answer from my clinic, thought I would ask

[Tarasunny]

I think you should be fine to stop. I'd imagine you'd already have all the benefit you are going to get from the DHEA by then. I'm sure I stopped the day before I started stims.

[finup0321 in reply to Tarasunny]

I agree, I also stopped DHEA right before stims and I would start again after retrieval for future rounds. My consultant suggested it, he said it may interfere with the stims actually working. DHEA does its work in the 2-3 months leading up to stims, as that’s when egg development happens. Unless you plan on doing more retrievals, then it sounds like you should be good!

[Eggfreezing36 in reply to finup0321]

Thanks! My clinic said they want me to stop the day before the retrieval, so I was just worried about the drop in testosterone doing something to the eggs. But the clinic can't comment on that! Now my other q is: do I carry on taking 3 pills (75 mg) a day in which case I will stop like 4 days before retrieval, or do I go down to 2 pills (50mg) a day to even out the dose? Leaning towards the latter. So many decisions lol

[finup0321 in reply to Eggfreezing36]

I would definitely ask the clinic. They’ll know what’s best for your protocol.

[Eggfreezing36 in reply to finup0321]

Thanks. I didn't ask re 3 a day vs 2 a day but they said they can't advise on whether stopping early or not will have a negative outcome as they don't actually know. Helpful lol.

[Eggfreezing36 in reply to Tarasunny]

Thanks! My clinic said to carry on throughout stims but yes I don't think I will buy more for the sake of a few days. Now just to decide: do I carry on taking 3 pills (75 mg) a day in which case I will stop like 4 days before retrieval, or do I go down to 2 pills (50mg) a day to even out the dose? Leaning towards the latter. So many decisions lol

[Tarasunny in reply to Eggfreezing36]

Yeah that's a good idea. I think I'd probably go down to 2 a day eek them out a bit more if that would make you feel more comfortable.

[Football61 in reply to Eggfreezing36]

Definitely even out the dose! 👍

[Koala365]

You can usually get some micronised DHEA shipped from Iherb in just a few days if you Google it if you are worried. I don't imagine it will make much difference bit for peace of mind I would probably get some so that I felt I had done everything I could. Surprised they are prescribing it for £100 though. I thought it wasn't authorised in the UK hence we have to order it from the USA.

[Eggfreezing36 in reply to Koala365]

Yes it's about £80 for 100 tablets from my pharmacy. i have a prescription from my clinic but I am just struggling to see at this late stage a small drop in testosterone from levelling off to 2 pills per day and stopping a few days before having a negative impact? My clinic won't advise either way...

[Koala365 in reply to Eggfreezing36]

How soon do you need them? It looks as though you can get 90 capsules of 25mg micronised DHEA for £12.58 plus postage from Iherb for delivery in the UK between 1 and 6 September which might be worth it for a top up. I also had my clinic give me a blood test to establish what my DHEA levels were to see if they were now up to the level of a woman around 25 years old which I think is what they are aiming for in older women.

[Eggfreezing36 in reply to Koala365]

My egg retrieval is 30 August so too late. I think I will leave it...i have gone down to 2 pills per day from a few days back and that gets me to Sunday then I am finished from Monday and my egg retrieval is on Weds (unless gets pushed back but hasn't the last two times so doubt it). Surely it can't impact badly?!