DHEA

[janeold25]

I was put on 25mg of DHEA (bio-dentical hormone) a day by a private doctor 4 months ago. My DHEA was 12 range 40-290. After a month it had come up to 56. My doctor says a healthy DHEA should be above 150. Once I have reached a healthy level he wants me to go on to a maintenance dose of 15mg I am suffering with awful side effects from it but as my DHEA was so low am try to continue with it for a little while longer. I am suffering with dreadful headaches, insomnia, acne, stomach ache and feel agitated. Is there and alternative to DHEA?

Can I just stop taking it?

Comments appreciated. x

[greygoose]

Sounds like your DHEA is converting straight to testosterone. Often happens. Possibly best to stop it and concentrate on healing your adrenals so that they can make their own DHEA.

Another possibility is taking pregnenolone, which is one hormone higher up in the chain.

[janeold25 in reply to greygoose]

Thank-you for your reply greygoose. How do I concentrate on healing my adrenals? What do I need to do?

[greygoose in reply to janeold25]

Have you tried taking a glandular? Plenty of rest, plenty of B vits (get B12 and folate tested before starting supplementing), loads of vit C, plenty of salt, high protein breakfast first thing in the morning, that sort of thing.

[janeold25 in reply to greygoose]

No I have not tried glandular, I am guessing that is a supplement!! Have had B12 and folate tested. I am taking B-Complex, Iron, Iodine, Selenium and Magnesium, have been taking them since April am due to have them all tested again July. Thanks for advice.

[Angel_of_the_North]

It's quite a high dose of DHEA if you are female. Can't help with ranges as my doctor measures DHEA sulphate not DHEA and the top of the range is 11. In most people, DHEA converts first to testosterone (mostly in adrenals) and then to estrogen (mostly in ovaries). I'd reduce dose to 10mg max in divided doses. And get progesterone, estrogen and testosterone checked

[janeold25 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thank-you for your reply Angel, The test does actually say DHEAS so guess that does mean sulphate.