DHEA and Depression

[Darktangent]

I'm a 23 y/o male with a long history of depression, but last December something changed. I had to check myself into the hospital because I felt so bad--not sad or anything else I had come to expect from the depression--this was hard to describe as it wasn't like any emotion I had ever felt before. It has come and gone every day since then, and even after 11 months I can only best describe it as something chemical that gives me a bad feeling in my chest.

In addition to this new 'bad feeling' I experience, I seem to have lost the majority of my emotions. I haven't been happy, gotten enjoyment out of anything, or even felt sad (even when thinking about sad things, like my parents dying).

I finally ditched my old Nurse Specialist who thought medication had done all it could for me, that I had to do the rest. He didn't listen to me when I told him I thought something changed. I went to a new doctor, and he had a range of tests done.

The most notable results are my Cortisol level, which was from 2.0 to 0.6 from 12 noon to 2am. Then there was my DHEA level, which was 1,441. The lab listed the optimal range as 250-450, so my level is a good 4 times higher than normal. Then there was Norepinephrine at 19.6, Dopamine at 84.2, and serotonin at 57--all significantly lower than normal. GABA was significantly higher than normal at 7.1.

He increased my medications, but things only seem to have gotten worse, so I've started my own research. The thing I've run into the most trouble researching is DHEA. I haven't come across any credible information as to the causes and effects of an abnormally high DHEA level such as mine. I came across a website that seemed to think high DHEA levels were good, but they sold DHEA supplements, so of course they would say that.

So my question is, can high levels of DHEA cause the things I've been experiencing, or is there another explanation?

Nobody seems to understand how bad I've been feeling. I've decided that I don't want to live the rest of my life like this, so once I run out of hope, I will probably kill myself. It's that bad.

[AuntieLeela]

The blank, emotionless feeling you describe is called anhedonia, it's very common in chronic major depression and Bipolar.

IT IS NOT PERMANENT.

Ever have to reboot your computer after a crash? That's what anhedonia is, your brain rebooting.


As for the high DHEA level - YES it might be the cause your new depressive symptoms! You need to see a really good Endocrinologist. Don't go to a quack, they make their money doing bogus testing, and after all that you'll end up right back at the starting line. (I've been down that road a few times) Try the nearest non-profit or teaching hospital, they usually have the best docs.

Elevated DHEA levels could mean something isn't right with the adrenal glands, like a benign tumor, cyst or adrenal hyperplasia, (because it causes elevated male hormones, milder forms of AH are sometimes missed it boys - there's also an adult onset AH). http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000411.htm

[Darktangent]

Thanks, I'll be sure to consider going back to my endocrinologist. My new doctor didn't seem to think my DHEA levels were an issue--I don't even remember him mentioning it. He even put off getting an MRI until my next appointment in 3 weeks. I think I'll just wait out the next 3 weeks and see what he has to say, and if his course of action isn't satisfying, I may go back to my endocrinologist.

I'm not quite sure the anhedonia is related to the depression. It only started last december, and became quite severe over the course of 2 or 3 days. I had hoped that it was temporary, but it's been 11 months and it only seems to be getting worse. That and the first or second night of my stay in the hospital (because of the anhedonia and the 'bad' feeling I mentioned before) I got to the point where I was crying--not from sadness but because I felt so bad. My mom said I seemed like a cocaine addict in withdrawal.

I've been searching for an explanation for this ever since, and found very little.

A benign tumor on the adrenal glands is probably more likely than adrenal hyperplasia, considering I went through puberty at a normal age. I can't imagine going through puberty at 2-3

[walflower2]

hey there,
I am not familiar with hormone levels enough to offer any explanation for you. I too am searching to try to find what is up with mine and what impact, if any, they are having on my body and mind. However, I wanted to just say that while you are going through hell right now, this too will pass. It is easy for me to say as I am not the one feeling your pain but I have been to that point myself. I suffer from an anxiety disorder and have been to the point where I could not stand to live if that was the way I felt. Thankfully, I am stubborn and fearful enough of death that I didn't do anything and I am so happy for that. If you are feeling this bad, don't just wait. Push the docs to listen to you and tell them that you do not feel that this is all just depression. Often docs like to say it is all in your head, and while that may play a part it isn't always the answer... good luck to you, I hope you find answers!!! and stay strong

[Cindy B]

Please keep us informed on what happens. My daughter n law is having exact same symptoms and plus she has a new born and thinks she has ppd also. I am going to let her read this. I believe her and it seems like her family doesn't. They just blow it off. She has called many many places to try to get help cause she has no health insurance and finally a nurse at health department had a friend who works at a mental health office and got her a appointment free. She has anxiety attacks, Saddness and depression. Among other things and I feel for her because I know she is trying to get help and everytime she thinks she might she runs into a brick wall. I am worried about her and your scared that if you say wrong things or she says wrong things about how she feels sometime like not living that someone could call dcf or you never know. She a wonderful mom and she deserves to feel good and not have all these things happening to her. So if you or anyone know where she might can help please let me know. You said something about teaching hospitals are they free? thanks Cindy Brown