DHEA any advice?

[Sunpinkleopard]

I've had 2 failed embryo transfers via private clinic (both Grade D each time but at blastocyst), clinic are being very non committal about different supplements to improve my egg quality. I've been taking COQ10, proceive sachets, vitamins the works, but research suggests taking DHEA. Has anyone tried this to improve numbers of eggs and quality? Did you get a blood test to check if levels were low? Any advice greatly appreciated as 3rd cycle is coming up shortly. I'm 44 in a few months so time not on my side xx

[Lelo3479]

I have looked into the DHEA as my testosterone is 0.07 🤔, but despite this I didn't take it (it wasn't mentioned at the clinic and it seems very difficult to source in England). I've heard amazing stories on how well they have worked for others when they've had such struggles previously. I think if you ask your GP, they could do a hormone screen on you and if it's only low testosterone, they could even give you testosterone gel? You'd need monitoring on DHEA anyway. It can effect your Eostrogen and Progesterone.

I am 40yo, have Endometriosis and Adenomyosis, so I'm Eostrogen dominant and it leeches my progesterone according to the research. So the DHEA wouldn't have helped me other than with the testosterone levels.

This was my 1st round of IVF, so all new and experimental to me. My AMH was only 8 in April, only either 4 or 8 follicles on baseline scan, and all 17 eggs collected were mature and 15 fertilised with ICSI (a big shock) with 9 day 5 blasts. Far more than imagined or hoped for. I really don't know how and imagine it was great planning and Protocol choice by my consultant. It could be Eostrogen too that's supposed to help eggs?

Have you had your protocol mixed up? Down regulation before? Different meds?

I did take expensive supplements though, high strength vitabiotics Vit D 4000 daily, solgar Ubiquinol 200mg daily, pregnancy wild nutrition DHA/EPA daily, Vitabiotics pregnacare, Vit c 1000 daily, proceive pregnancy probiotics. Long before the IVF vitamins I took Berroca daily. Tbh I'm pretty sure I have too many vitamins in my system now.

Sorry long message, was trying to help with some answers or pointers for you but have ended up giving you a running commentary and waffling 🤔🙄😅.

I really hope you can have some good success soon x

[Sunpinkleopard in reply to Lelo3479]

Lelo3479 thank you so much for this. The clinic haven't changed my protocol other than staying on Norethisterone and injections a bit longer on the 2nd round. I have a face to face meeting with them next week so lots of questions to ask. We did ICSI on 2nd cycle but didn't work. I'm going to speak to my GP today and see if they can help with DHEA testing as a starting point. Just a bit worried about DHEA and side effects. It's so hard to decide what's best. I wish you all the best xx

[Lelo3479 in reply to Sunpinkleopard]

So sorry to hear this. ICSI always seems like the magic bullet, but I've heard so many have struggles still, heart breaking!

I have researched though, that even over 3 months, each cycle hormones etc. can change so much one month to the next. You have hope and sounds like there is alot of scope for your consultant to mix things up of it's appropriate.

That's good you're going to your GP, really hope they take you seriously and do a full work up for you and help in anyway they can. So hard to know what's for the best as we all have the same issue Infertility but we're all so different biologically.

Wishing you the best, if you're up to it let us know how you get on xx

[Alexie07 in reply to Lelo3479]

Can I ask, did you end up pregnant with one of these embryos in the end?

[Lelo3479 in reply to Alexie07]

Yes, my 1st fresh transfer, couldn't believe our luck. Was too good to be true tho. It only lasted 9 weeks and didn't develop at all. I feel very likely chromasomal, especially at 40yo x

[Alexie07 in reply to Lelo3479]

Sorry to hear that. I’ve had 2 chemicals from three transfers and I’m also 40 but didn’t get anywhere near the same amount of follicles as you

[Lelo3479 in reply to Alexie07]

Ah sorry, chemicals seem especially cruel! Yes I have no idea how! Other than Eostrogen dominance and my protocol I can't think how x

[Alexie07 in reply to Lelo3479]

Was yours a long or short protocol? I’ve had three short but I’m currently doing a long one with a different clinic

[Lelo3479 in reply to Alexie07]

Long Protocol, what's your protocol meds and timings now? Is that for fresh or fet? Hope it goes well for you x

[Alexie07 in reply to Lelo3479]

Long protocol this time. Three ones before were fresh but they’re going to test this time so it’ll be frozen

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to Lelo3479]

Hi. DHEA IS a form of steroid, and is only usually offered for a short time, usually 75mgs a day, in divided doses of 25mgs three times a day for two months. It has been known to improve egg collection by a few extra. Always best to take under the guidance of a specialist. Good luck if you go ahead with it. Diane

[Estherlovescats]

Hey i had 75mg of dhea daily eurovital brand. An nhs consultant recommended. He didnt recommend dhea-s or testosterone bloods which he should have first tho as dhea can hinder rather than help if these levels aren't correct first or warrant dhea. I think it helped improve my fsh level alongside coq 10 ubiquinol 600mg daily life extension brand and dropped 40lbs to then qualify for nhs ivf funding. Failed 2 rounds and got pregnant naturally. Im 41 next month and due a little boy any day now. X

[Sunpinkleopard in reply to Estherlovescats]

Thank you Estherlovescats and congratulations on your news, all the best xx