DHEA and Hashimoto

[Burren]

Hi All,

I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto and put on T3 - 20mg and T4 - 50mg daily.

The only symptom I have is a severe and chronic fatigue.

I have attached my test results from December.

I have just noticed how low my DHEA levels are, especially the Cortisol to DHEA ratio.

I'm not sure what this means, the doctor did not mention it, but I wonder if it's safe to try some DHEA supplements ?

I am a male in my 60's, and otherwise healthy. The T3 and T4 have had no impact on my fatigue after 6 weeks.

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

Ft4 is very low. Likely to need to increase levothyroxine to improve

Most patients on levothyroxine plus T3 find they need BOTH FT4 and Ft3 roughly 60% through range

Increase in levothyroxine by 25mcg up to 75mcg and retest in 6-8 weeks

Likely to need further increase in levothyroxine after next test

Vitamins are good. What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Your very high thyroid antibodies confirms autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s

See from previous posts you are strictly gluten free

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

How are you taking T3

Are you splitting into 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day?

2 x 10mcg roughly 12 hours apart

Or 10mcg at 7am, 5mcg at 3pm and 5mcg at 11pm

What brand levothyroxine are you currently taking

High cortisol should reduce as levothyroxine dose is increased

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

Would be looking to increase levothyroxine, not T3 at this stage

[Lizzo30]

hi a couple of points I would like to make the first is given you have had covid do you think the fatigue and tiredness are due to long covid ?the second point is about your low DHEA - hashimotos is an autoimmune disorder, men don't suffer from autoimmune disorders as much as women this is probably because testosterone protects them, your DHEA is low and DHEA is a precursor to testosterone so your low testosterone probably has something to do with you developing hashimotos

[Burren in reply to Lizzo30]

About long Covid, I don't know, I was recovering very well from the covid until this problem hit months later. My Dr. says it common for viruses to trigger other illnesses, which then have to be treated separately.

[Ezzie33]

If I'm reading your results right (brain fog so don't trust myself!), your cortisol is above range for the four results? That shows that your adrenals are working overtime. I would look into reducing your cortisol - there are several supplements that might help (e.g. PS100, holy basil) & also try meditation. Apologies if I've read this wrong! Don't want to get to a point where your adrenals don't work.

[Burren in reply to Ezzie33]

Thanks for the suggestions I will give them a try.