DHEA query in relation to thyroid and cirtisol/adrenal issues.

[smilingjane]

Hello all

This isn't strictly a thyroid query but it 's hormonal and there are overlaps.

Can anyone tell me if they take supplements of DHEA and what your experiences have been?

I am attaching a pic of my recent cortisol results. It was mentioned by the lab that supplementation with DHEA may increase Estrodiol and Testosterone.

I do use Estrodiol, (gel). My level is 288 so I am increasing my dose with the aim of reaching 400-800.

My query is will increasing my Estrodiol increase my cortisol levels do you think?

I am seeing an endo soon. Can you advise me of any relevent questions that I can bring to the appointment?

I am currently taking T4 for a failed thyroid gland and have had a break of my T3 since January due to a sevear anxiety attack. The T3 stopping was temporary to take a break in case it was exasperating my anxiety. I don't think it was. Iwill be starting it again soon.

I have taken the 9am blood cortisol test. I have forgotton the result but it was low.

The comments on the attached sheet say that the findings are consistant with evolving (Phase 2) HPA axis (adrenal gland) dysfuction.

I need to find out whether this is worrying or not?

I will be greatfull if anyone can explain this to me in laypersons terms, esp' those that have experience of low cortisol levels alongside thyroid dysfunction.

Thank you again

Jane 😊

[samaja]

Have you been investigated for possible Addison's with a short Synachten test? Your cortisol is low and might make both T3 and oestrogen increases problematic.

And for me personally trying to increase oestrogen resulted in the drop in cortisol and T3 and adding pregesteron into the mix was also a disaster. I assume you also take progesterone or no uterus?

[smilingjane in reply to samaja]

Hello Samaja

Thanks for responding.

Yes I take Progesterone.

Is that the same as Pregesterone. Its all so complicated isn't it 🤔

I haven't been investigated for Addisons but will ask for that.

How are you getting on now? Are you under the care of a neuro?

I have ME/CFS and brain fog making all of this tricky for me to understand. I will ask my neuro which is the best way forward.

😊

[humanbean]

Can anyone tell me if they take supplements of DHEA

Bad news, sorry. DHEA is banned in the UK and is classified as a Category C drug. It appears on the government's Controlled Drugs list under the name Prasterone. if you were to try and bring it into the UK and were caught you would be fined, the DHEA would be confiscated, and you would end up with a criminal record.

gov.uk/government/publicati...

I think a lot of people believe DHEA has been misclassified as a dangerous anabolic steroid. But as you obviously know, the body produces it naturally and people could have too much or too little, just like they can have too much or too little of other naturally produced hormones and other substances.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dehyd...

The only way that DHEA can be acquired legally in the UK is if you are a post-menopausal woman with moderate to severe symptoms and vaginal atrophy, and you get it on prescription as a vaginal pessary.

bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/prast...

This is obviously extremely bizarre - DHEA is available in some countries as an over the counter supplement. I think it became a controlled drug in the UK in (roughly) 2008.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prast...

[Noelnoel in reply to humanbean]

This DHEA is available from [company name removed] in various strengths and a couple of years ago I had Bezwecken DHEA ovals sent to me by a Californian practitioner. I had no idea I was breaking the law 🫢

[link removed]

[helvella in reply to Noelnoel]

Our guidelines do not allow identifying sources of prescription-only medicines to be posted.

DHEA is not just prescription-only but a Controlled Drug subject to additional controls.

[Noelnoel in reply to helvella]

I’m a bit confused as to why a UK website is freely and openly offering it for sale and hasn’t been prosecuted. Are you able to look at it? It sells all sorts of freely available supplements

I’m not doubting what you say just very curious about what they’re doing and how

[helvella in reply to Noelnoel]

The site you mentioned and linked to is not a UK website. That's how they do it.

It is one or more companies with a large website set up with sections for numerous countries. It doesn't actually say it is a UK company. They say just enough to make you assume it is a UK company. A nice little union flag icon at the top!

The website link doesn't end .uk - and is outside any UK control.

The website is hosted on computers not in the UK.

There have been and are a few companies that operate like this. At least one takes orders and passes them on to subsidiaries/other companies in the group that are located in other countries where things are legal!

This specific company has been mentioned a few times over the years - so is familiar to the admins.

[Noelnoel in reply to helvella]

Right, thank you

So it’s illegal to purchase DHEA from them even though it’s available to buy from them…? Is rhisnwhatnwencall operating through some sort of loophole?

I used the Bezwecken ovals for a very short period because I found they brought me out in spots but I’ll be doing another cortisol DHEA saliva test after Christmas and may find I need to start again. If I purchase from aforementioned website what happens? Do you know?

[helvella in reply to Noelnoel]

It's not really a loophole.

After all, it is illegal to import them even if advertised elsewhere in the world.

In the UK we can't buy cannabis products (as a rule) despite being able to access adverts on USA sites. And some might be willing to post it.

For a closer parallel, desiccated thyroid is illegal in France, but even if you are in France, you can see it listed and some will even send it to France. Probably will get picked up by la douane and confiscated.

[Noelnoel in reply to helvella]

You’ve explained it well but how very confusing for us

[helvella in reply to Noelnoel]

It is madness.

I can completely understand how and why people don't realise or make mistakes - or choices.

When I first found out about it, I spent ages going round in circles. Websites (mostly USA) which sell DHEA and UK medicine info. which says it is illegal. And use the name Prasterone, just to make it still more obscure! Further, when I was first looking there wasn't even an official web page that I could find which listed controlled drugs.

I suspect that is is its potential for use in sport that has seen it being made a controlled drug. But why not elsewhere?

[Noelnoel in reply to helvella]

Yes, really frustrating, annoying and time wasting!

Did you ever use it?

[helvella in reply to Noelnoel]

No - never had any interest in it other than as an admin here.

[smilingjane in reply to Noelnoel]

How strange. Thanks for responding Noelnoel. Out of interest did you find it helpful at all?

😊

[Noelnoel in reply to smilingjane]

I used a fraction of the recommended dose on my body then got cold feet because a greasy crop of spots suddenly appeared on my face and righty or wrongly I attributed it th the ovals

[smilingjane in reply to humanbean]

Thank you Humanbean, very interesting.I will check out the links

😊