Contact Seaside Susie

[posthinking01]

Can you please contact me re DHEA requirement.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Sorry, I don't understand what it is you mean.

If it's details of a supplier if you are looking for it then I can't help as I don't use DHEA but it's prescription only here in the UK anyway.

If it's how to supplement with DHEA then I can't help either as I have no experience of it.

If it's details of where to obtain it then I don't need to know as I can't pass details on (but thank you anyway ).

If you wish to send me a private message, click on my user name or my avatar, then choose MESSAGE (top right of page on a PC).

[Howard39]

If you have low dhea you can post your results and we can help you.

I had 0 dhea and super high cortisol. The first is fixed now.

Any adrenal issues you could read drmyhill.co.uk and search under adrenal gear box.

[posthinking01 in reply to Howard39]

Hi Howard et al - thank you for your interest. I did have a zero reading for DHEA - and although I am 71 and was told by my endo that this was a normal situation for someone on steroids as I am for adrenal insufficiency and for my age - I then attended a meeting/discussion with a Professor Wass from Oxford who was giving a talk to Addison's patients - I asked him the question - is it normal for someone to have zero DHEA in their body - and he raised his eyebrows and ' said 'quizzically - you have a zero reading ? and then went on to say to the group generally that IF as an adrenal patient on steroids for replacement - you are still exhausted - then take 25mg of DHEA to help. I tried 10mg and I have not looked back - every time I took my steroid for the Adrenal Insufficiency - I would be asleep on the settee for 4 hours - unable to have enough energy to do my housework - 10mg of DHEA my life is back. Why did this happen - in my mind - because the adrenal glands did not have the full complement of steroid hormones it needed - there was one missing - DHEA !!! I find endocrinology are so far behind in their research - they have held me back for 25 years. I also have Lupus and research papers state that this can often be due to a lack of DHEA. So glad Howard you are feeling better.

[Howard39 in reply to posthinking01]

Hi

What you were told is actually incorrect.

Steroids ( long term) may lead to an increase in cortisol for some people. That said my dose is fairly small and low dhea and high cortisol is the largest “ group” of adrenal disfunction. Followed by both low.

The link I gave is from a study of over 5000 patients.

Personally I prefer pregnenologne over dhea.

[posthinking01 in reply to Howard39]

Hi Howard, I had to take a steroid because I was deficient in cortisol so wouldn't be too much - I have to adjust as and when I am ill - or indeed when I am under stress of any kind - cold weather - emotional stress- illness is a stress - even a cold - same as I do with my thyroid hormone - there are days when I have to up my dose slightly if weather cold or when weather hot - I have to reduce - DHEA gave me the energy I needed as obviously I have an issue with the adrenal gland function - not sure what it is at the moment - I agree Pregnenalone is very good to and I use a cream for that as well as low dose DHEA and have reduced my steroid down to 2 mg as everything balances. High cortisol is a difficult one - same as hyper thyroid disease more difficult to control.

[Elaeagnus in reply to posthinking01]

I just looked at the thread because I had some question over DHEA.

If you wouldn't mind me asking, are you currently treated on the NHS or privately (where you have to pay for private script for synthetic DHEA)? Is this DHEA in oral pills? Sorry for lots of questions!

I only asked because I wondered what others experiences were? My NHS GP has no clue on hormones. Endo in Oxford sounds sympathetic.

[posthinking01 in reply to Elaeagnus]

Hi there Elaeagnus - apparently I am unable to answer this on the forum - please send me a PM and I will let you have an answer.

[ladylou_uk in reply to Howard39]

Sorry to hijack. I have very high cortisol too, I have been using Holy Basil but it seems to be causing issues with low blood sugar so I'm looking for alternatives. Would you mind if I asked what you used for your high cortisol Howard39?

[Howard39 in reply to ladylou_uk]

Hi

Sorry to hear that it is a nightmare to bring down if it is v high.

I had a nasty reaction to a combined tablet ( I think it may have been Licorice) so I drink Tulsi tea and mainly take Ashwaganda and Holy Basil tablets. I also have tried St. John wort.

I think personally they are all helpful for me.

My high is borderline Cushings so not easy to treat. I spike around 2 am. I find l tryptophan helpful at this time too.

[posthinking01 in reply to Howard39]

HI Howard - Licorice raised the blood pressure so you have to be careful. Have you tried Vitamin C?

[Howard39 in reply to posthinking01]

Hi

Yes I take it. Sorry what were you referring to it for?

[posthinking01 in reply to Howard39]

Hi Howard - Vitamin C is needed for the adrenal glands - when the adrenals are under pressure then the Vitamin C is dragged from the body to supply the adrenals glands to keep one alive - it will then come away from protecting other parts of the body such as teeth etc. they are using it in the Covid19 crisis in the USA to help patients and it does help.. But large doses and by IV.

I actually developed scurvy when I was first on steroids without realising it - and starting taking C and the symptoms went - loose teeth and bleeding gums are one of the signs and skin issues .

One of the other signs I experienced was red bloody type bruises all over my skin when on steroids to begin with and then they all went away when on C - it shocks me to see dear elderly ladies and gentlemen with these marks over their skin - when it is most probably Vitamin C anaemia which is now being recognised as an issue.

I study and research nutrition in illness as I am unable to take drugs for my Lupus -other than steroids for my AI - or thyroid hormone - I look at dis-ease - as just that - dis-ease of the body and look at what deficiency is being caused by the illness itself and put that part of the bodies requirements back into the system - it has worked for me for 25 years.

[Howard39 in reply to posthinking01]

Hi yes most people are definitely deficient in vit c . I take 10k grams a day and have done for ages.

[posthinking01 in reply to Howard39]

Wow careful though - taken orally - believe it or not can cause an adrenaline rush and this could be aggravating your high cortisol. I found that - after my adrenals were fully supported that my adrenals did not need so much C and it was causing me to go hot and sweaty and red faced and a bit shaky and anxious - when I did some research I was suffering with an adrenaline rush - took down the levels and it stopped.

[Howard39 in reply to posthinking01]

Hi

Thanks for your reply.

I have had high cortisol for ages so it’s not linked to the vit c. I’ve never had an adrenaline rush except when I had an allergic reaction to wheat( I was out with friends having a gluten free meal, not) and had to give myself an injection.

It was a while ago but for my work I read the vit c trials which are mostly based around running.

My high cortisol could be linked to a small amount of steroids or working v long and hard shifts in a hospital. The fact that most people don’t take steroids and still have it makes me think it’s work related.

[posthinking01 in reply to Howard39]

oh definitely aggravated by a stressful job .......

[ladylou_uk in reply to Howard39]

Thanks Howard39 - you are right it is a nightmare! Thank you for your reply, I've never tried Ashwaganda but have been wondering about it.

[Howard39 in reply to ladylou_uk]

Hi

It’s certainly worth trying. All separately.

I learnt a v expensive lesson trying the all in one supplement. Cost wise and as a woman the night sweats were monumental!

Good luck