Anyone using herbal thyroid supplements, DHEA, testosterone? - Menopause Message Board

zezee · 01-16-2007, 02:35 PM

I am a 52 yo woman and still have my cycles. I don't have any of the typical menopause synmptoms, no mood swings, hot flashes, etc. However, I have gained 15 pounds in the last year, all in my middle. I have just started using an herbal "thyroid" supplement, presuming my thyroid activity was low. I have not seen any changes. My diet is great and I walk 2 miles each day. When I finish the "thyroid" bottle, I think I won't buy any more. I am thinking about trying DHEA and wonder if anyone in our group has tried it and what happened. Also, my life is good and I am happy however, my libido is low. I have been using the herb Damiana and am happy with that. I am not expecting a wild/crazy sex drive, however, would like to "desire" it more. I seem to notice, with Damiana, that I respond more easily to his touch. I do hear wonderful things about testosterone and testostserone cream and am curious. What are your experiences with these items? Thanks.

kalmar1 · 01-20-2007, 02:13 PM

I am taking DHEA (which I have read can have some effect on increasing estrogen and testosterone) and I was also using testosterone cream until just recently, along with a few other supplements. Regarding libido...mine is much improved. For the first couple of weeks it was a little bit over the top, but it is calmed down and more normal now. I stopped using the testosterone because it was making my hair fall out.

MarciB · 01-21-2007, 04:27 PM

Hi...I had a saliva test done which showed very low DHEA...I didnt even know what that was!...anyway.....I was told to take it every day for about 3 weeks and then just to take it 3 times per week...I have been doing this for about 6 months....
i do not notice any difference whatsoever...but when I read about symotoms of low DHEA...I didn't have those to begin with...so.....that's the story here!

katidid95 · 01-22-2007, 03:40 PM

I had my hormones tested about 2 years ago (a saliva test) and was low in everything. I am now on bioidentical hormones (compounded cream) with estrogen, progesterone and testosterone (I also did a 2nd test and had the prescription adjusted). I take DHEA orally, although I forget a lot so probably only take 3-5 days per week. It's hard to know which thing has helped me the most, but I certainly feel better now and my libido is better than it was 2 years ago (although maybe not as good as 6-7 years ago!)

marian100 · 02-03-2007, 10:50 AM

i took dhea several years ago when it first became popular. after a week i was a raging *****. maybe i wasn't deficient in it and had to much in my system. i am very susceptible to hormonal supplements so i am very cautious. i do take promensil, and over the counter red clover supplement , and use progesterone cream as needed. hope you find something that helps.