Anyone taking DHEA or know about it?

Diane44 · 06-05-2007, 11:05 AM

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.

sarah92202 · 06-05-2007, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diane44

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!!!

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

Diane44 · 06-05-2007, 04:57 PM

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

sarah92202 · 06-05-2007, 09:14 PM

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

Diane44 · 06-06-2007, 09:45 AM

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