I would post your question in the hypothyroidism site also since you had the thyroid cancer. They are really knowledgeable over there about hormones and supplements.

My DHEA was on the low end of normal. My pcp prescribed me 10 mg twice a day. I also suffer from adrenal fatigue and take 20 mgs cortisol a day. After 3 weeks, my hair started to really fall out in clumps, so I had to discontinue. I was really bummed since I heard so many great things about it. I may try 7 keto DHEA in a couple of months. May not have the hair loss effect.

thank you for your reply's. I didn't know they did a test for DHEA? I don't think I have had it in the past..
Keto DHEA is something to look into, I haven't read much on it.
Never a yes or no answer with taking supplements or drugs, it always seems like trail an error...

I have Sec Addison's and my DHEA is about 1.1mg instead of 30mg (male). I take pharmacy compounded DHEA, which is 50mg daily, and it makes a big difference to keeping my sugar levels down with cortisone.

Why don't you get it from your GP, as you don't need an Endo to prescribe it, and they don't like prescribing anything other than steroids anyway, as Endo's are so one track minded.

Maybe your Endo has not read anything about DHEA, because it is more of an anti-aging use drug than endocrine.

I had just been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes when first prescribed, and did not yet have Addison's, and within 3 months, my sugar levels were under control, without having to drop out chocolate and iced coffees, and my 3 monthly tests indicate that I don't have diabetes at all.

My GP's colleague recommended it to me, as he took it, and he was still working as a GP at 89, and still felt that he wasn't ready to retire.

I take 25 mg. daily and it has helped me with my energy levels and libido. When I first moved to Germany they tested my DHEA and my levels were really low, so my endo prescribed it and have been taking it for about four years (on and off, once I see a pimple on my face I stop it for a couple of months). When I moved back to the US my new doctor didn't even want to check my levels and told me it was irrelevant. I finally convinced him and since I hadn't taken it for a few months my levels were low again. He didn't prescribe any, just sent me my lab results and that was it! I bought some over the counter but I don't think the quality is the same as the German prescription one because I haven't seen the same effects.

Eclaire,

How do you take it, orally?

Yes

I just started taking DHEA recently. I'm taking 100mg/day (50mg morning, 50mg evening). I've had excellent results so far.

Where I live it isn't possible to test for DHEA levels, but I did have my fasting insulin levels checked and they were high. My pcp and I did some reading and found that DHEA helps to prevent insulin overproduction, and is normally secreted by the adrenal glands. Additionally, my Triglycerides have been high and testosterone has been low. DHEA also increases testosterone and lowers trigs. It seemed like a perfect fit so we decided to try it.

After taking the first dose of DHEA my average blood sugar levels immediately rose from 75mg/dl to 110mg/dl. My blood sugar spike levels (2 hours after eating a high glycemic meal) rose from 92mg/dl to 135mg/dl. It is clear that my insulin levels have dropped since taking DHEA. I'm feeling more alert, less groggy, and more energetic.

As a result of my increased blood sugar levels my pcp has started me on metformin 500mg/day to level out my gluclose levels and gradually erase any insulin resistance that I have developed over the past years from the oversecretion of insulin. The result is that my average glucose level is now 95mg/dl and my post-meal-spikes are down to a healthy 115mg/dl.

I've lost 8lbs in the past month since I started taking 100mg/day of DHEA and 500mg/day of Metformin. I haven't been able to lose weight at all since starting cortisol replacement therapy (mostly due to debilitating physical injury that accompanied my first addisonian crises).

I'm glad ur getting good results. Just keep in mind DHEA can also convert to estrogen. Unfortunately every time I try and increase my dose, cause my dhea level is extremely low it converts to estrogen and I already am estrogen dominant and it makes things worse. Hope it doesn't do this to u but I just wanted to make u aware. So glad ur feeling better