Dhea

I'd like to know if any of you have tried DHEA to help with menopause difficulties. I'm considering it. Any thoughts or experience with it?

From the book "Natural Hormone Balance" by Uzzi Reiss, M.D. it reads that DHEA peaks in humans around the age of 25 and then slowly declines. Dr. Reiss recommends DHEA to patients over 35 (and most people can only tolerate no more than 10 to 15 milligrams), and DHEA can be beneficial for the following situations:

Stress - The more stress you have the more your body consumes DHEA and the less it makes. Often women can tolerate more DHEA than normal when they are under chronic stress.

Low Energy - DHEA contributes to improved energy and stamina.

Anxiety and Depression - DHEA makes you feel better. It acts as an antidepressant and mood elevator.

Poor Immunity - DHEA can reinforce the immune system.

High Insulin, Hypoglycemia, Diabetes - DHEA may help reverse the metabolic tendency toward diabetes.

Cardiovascular - DHEA may retard the platelet aggregation effect in humans and thus offer additional cardiovascular protection. Platelets are structures found in the blood that play a major role in clotting.

Endocrine Function - In one 1994 study, researchers gave 50 milligrams of DHEA to women and found that it increased their testosterone and HGH, but not their estrogen level. It also decreased the level of SHBG. The practical conclusion is that if you megadose a woman like this you will NOT increase her estrogen but will INCREASE HER TESTOSTERONE and the availability of HGH to the body.

Fertility (I don't believe I need to elaborate on this.)

Psychological - Researchers believe that the age-related drop in DHEA levels could be involved in behavior, functionality and mental illnesses.

Dry Skin - Studies show that DHEA can improve the moisture level, lubrication, thickness and pigmentation of the skin.

Dr. Reiss states that he prefers DHEA supplements prepared by compounding pharmacists or marketed by well-known nutritional supplement companies. He reiterates that most women cannot tolerate more than 10 to 15 millgrams. Also, Dr. Reiss does not recommend DHEA to patients until after doing a blood test for their DHEA level.

One more thing, women who are hairy by nature should use DHEA very cautiously.

Hello Gals! Hummingbird I have a Q for you. My DBF has been taking DHEA 25 mg for over a month now (hes 57 yrs old) and he simply cannot say enough good things about it!! Ive tried to research DHEA since my hyst about 6 weeks ago and cannot yet find anywhere if women with no ovaries can benefit from this. I read several posts on Hystersisters that it was their opinion that you need ovaries for it to work....?? Is this Q addressed in Dr Reiss's book?? I, too, would like to try it but would like an answer to the no ovaries/DHEA question. Thank you!

From the information that I've read about it I don't believe it matters if you have your ovaries or not. It is suppose to be really good for you. However, women are not suppose to take high doses. Also, it seems that a pharmacy grade DHEA is preferred and that you get your levels checked by your doctor before you dive in. From what I've read 25mg or less is preferred for women.

I have to agree with Bomoni, it really doesn't matter if you have your ovaries or not. Just be careful when you begin supplementing with DHEA and make sure you get a blood or saliva test done before trying it out.

Also, I read that too much DHEA can cause weight gain (especially around the abdomen), increase facial and body hair, acne, decline in good cholesterol and increase in bad, decreased SHBG and increased insulin resistance.

My DHEA level has come back elevated each time I have a saliva test done (increases each time). It is now at 602 (normal max range is 300?). I had a CAT scan of the adrenal glands.....no tumors. My gyn is stumped and has refered me to an endocrinologist. WHAT in the world could cause an elevated DHEA????

Hi Roz, Thus far you are doing what is required when your DHEA is elevated (getting a CAT scan to check for tumors). Please keep us informed about your visit to the endocrinologist and I hope they find what's causing the problem. I'm curious, what is your testosterone level? It could be your DHEA is having trouble changing into testosterone or estradiol. Just a thought.

My testosterone was 43.8 pg/ml (and again, I am not taking anything for this). Cortisol was 1.75.
I'm just curious to know what this DHEA is all about. Some women want to take it as a supplement? I have too much!

If I am reading you correctly, your testosterone is really low (i.e., normal range should be 40 to 60 ng/dl or 400 to 600 pg/ml). It sure sounds like your body is not converting your DHEA to testosterone.

As I understood from my gyn, I think the normal range is 13-37 pg/ml?? I am at 43.8 and she did tell me that it was elevated. I'm at a loss.