Hi,

I am wondering if anyone out there with AD is taking DHEA or has tried it?
My Endo recommended I try it but I have yet to do so. I am kind of nervous
about adding more pills to my diet and this one being testosterone.....and me being a female?? Not much research on this etc. What are your thoughts and experiences? Both my hormone levels are both down as well. She didn't tell me a number but said they are well below normal. I have a number of Auto Immune disorders, Addisons, arthritis, thyroid stopped working (15 years ago-been on Levothyroxine for that long), menopause at 40, psoriasis and am waitng on diabetes because my luck seems to go that way and I have a son and two nephews with it. It is hereditary to my family and skips a generation so I shouldn't get it but...............

Also curious about losing weight. Any luck with that? I can't seem to get rid of more than one to two lbs no matter what I try. I exercise a lot and try to eat high fiber and high protien foods and 1500 or less calories a day. It has gotten me no where. Any help?

Thank you in advance. There is so much to learn.....
Have a wonderful day.

Hi,

I am wondering if anyone out there with AD is taking DHEA or has tried it?
My Endo recommended I try it but I have yet to do so. I am kind of nervous
about adding more pills to my diet and this one being testosterone.....and me being a female?? Not much research on this etc. What are your thoughts and experiences? Both my hormone levels are both down as well. She didn't tell me a number but said they are well below normal. I have a number of Auto Immune disorders, Addisons, arthritis, thyroid stopped working (15 years ago-been on Levothyroxine for that long), menopause at 40, psoriasis and am waitng on diabetes because my luck seems to go that way and I have a son and two nephews with it. It is hereditary to my family and skips a generation so I shouldn't get it but...............

Also curious about losing weight. Any luck with that? I can't seem to get rid of more than one to two lbs no matter what I try. I exercise a lot and try to eat high fiber and high protien foods and 1500 or less calories a day. It has gotten me no where. Any help?

Thank you in advance. There is so much to learn.....
Have a wonderful day.
Diane, Sorry to hear that you aren't feeling well. My endo also recommended that I take DHEA, but with my Cortef and pregnenolone. I also like you, am afraid to take it. I asked him is it would make my hair fall out and grow hair on my face, and the only reply I got was "not any worse than the cortef will" that was not encouraging! I read that if you are going to take it you should get it from a compounding pharmacy, not buy the OTC products. I have the prescription, but still haven't gotten it filled. I know several other woman that are reluctant to take it also. I haven't decided what to do yet. I have been on the pregn. for 5 weeks and the Cortef for 5 days, I think I will; wait a month and see if I am progressing on those before I jump into the DHEA. if I can get away with not taking it I will stay off it. I am too scared of what it will do. I am already losing my hair in handfuls everytime I wash it. My husband is bald and has a goatie, I don't want us to be twins. I love the look on him, but not myself!!!:eek: I would just keep researching and I guess you'll have to decide whether the benefits outway the risks. did the endo put you on anything else for adrenals? Sarah:wave:

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for the info. I have been on Cortef and Florinef since Feb. I am not certain what I would achieve by taking the DHEA supplement. I feel fine now with the addition of Cortef and Florinef after my Addison's diagnosis. The Dr. did tell me to carefully research what I buy because they are not all the same and not all regulated. I too do not want to grow hair on my face :) lol at your twin comment, and it has been nice to not have to shave my legs everyday or every other day. Heck once a week is plenty. I don't know what to do either. I think I will wait to see if anyone else responds and hopefully it will help me to decide.
Diane

Orion, thanks for the info on DHEA, do you recommend having it compounded by a pharmacy, or just buying it OTC? My doc put on the prescription 5mg BID, is 10mg a day too much? thanks, Sarah

Orion,

Thank you so much for all the info. and your response. You sound very informed and have done some research. You have helped me to decide to try this. Do you have Addisons also?

Diane

5mg/day is the usual place to start for women and then do blood tests to get to a normal level. Of course it depends what "normal" means for you. Does that mean the levels of a 20 year old or 50?

Yes, I am experienced in the trials and tribulations of adrenal insufficiency and poorly educated doctors.

Don't expect miracles, its a slow process and only part of the puzzle. Some people experience good results, other are not as clear.

I have been taking dhea for about a month now. I take it 3 times a day, 5mg dissolving tabs. I have finally notice a difference. I take it along with bio identical progesterone cream from a compounding place. I go back in August so they may adjust or add a supplement.

I did have more hair fall out than usual, but it has stopped, and not enough to notice a difference. no other side effects. I would give it try, may or may not work for you.

Take care,

Michelle

I have had secondary Addison's due to pituitary dysfunction for four years. I have investigated the use of DHEA and know that many people have a lot of positive things to say about it. What concerns me is that my mother died of breast cancer, and it may cause an increased chance of getting it -- I figure the deck is already partly stacked against me, so I haven't tried DHEA. I feel pretty good without it, but as Orion says, I may be fooling myself by not having a hormone that everyone else has. I may try it at some point, but can't bring myself to do it yet.

I did go have the DHEA compounded and have been taking it for almost 3 weeks now 5mg BID, I haven't noticed any negative side effects but haven't noticed any improvement either. I have another appointment the 9th, so I will just wait and see what the doctor thinks. Sarah

Well I did it. Is started taking the DHEA and I must say I am very happy with the results. I feel far less tired than I did and have much more energy. No negative side affects so far. I had a rash for about a week and a half on my face and thought it might be acne but it went away. I would say I noticed results within two days of starting on it. I am taking micronized, time release calplets, 20mg a day. Anyone else out there who is debating trying this, just do it! It is so worth it.

Diane44

Well I did it. Is started taking the DHEA and I must say I am very happy with the results. I feel far less tired than I did and have much more energy. No negative side affects so far. I had a rash for about a week and a half on my face and thought it might be acne but it went away. I would say I noticed results within two days of starting on it. I am taking micronized, time release calplets, 20mg a day. Anyone else out there who is debating trying this, just do it! It is so worth it.

Diane44

Great your effects so showed up so fast! Most people take a few months. Remember to have your DHEAS levels checked because there is evidence that elevated DHEA levels in women are associated with increased mortality. Of course, at least some of that is a result of diseases that increase DHEA levels and ultimate cause early death, so its not so clear exactly what elevated levels mean if you are healthy. Still, better to be safe with untested therapy.