LymeNet Flash: DHEA

This is topic DHEA in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by marks (Member # 6965) on :

I tried a search but no success so please forgive me if this is an old topic. It is new to me.

I rec. my 24 hr. urine endocrine test results from Dr. C yesterday. I am to start DHEA and 2 weeks later add testosterone, then progesterone, estradiol, estriol and growth hormones each at 2 week intervals.

Does anyone have any experience with these hormones, especially DHEA. I have tried compounded progesterone and estradiol before but could not tolerate them.

Also wondering if this is a byproduct of having lyme or would this be a separate issue. I guess if Dr. C treats it it must be connected to the lyme. I did get worse when I became menopausal 5 years ago.

Thanks for any info anyone might have to offer.

I was diagnosed in Feb. with Lyme both by the CDC and IgeneX criteria on the Western Blot after 33 years of chronic illness. I am on Ceftin at the present using Dr. C's (MO) protocol.

Posted by breathwork (Member # 567) on :

I've been treated for lyme/babesia for six years...almost get cured and get a new bite. Oh joy.

I had a hysterectomy in November and went to an endocrinologist recently to see what's up with all of my hormones.

The blood work is in and it's alarming, but not too surprising to me...

DHEA low
Estradiol low
Estrogen Overall high
Thyroid low
Iron low
Mean Corpuscular Volume low
Progesterone low
Cortisol high
Insulin high
Blood sugar borderline
Cholesterol profile....high on the bad stuff, low on the good.
Potassium low

As I understand it, to find a profile like yours or mine is not too unusual in long term lyme patients. I'm just grateful that ther is something that is relatively easy to address as compared to the lyme.

If these issues can be corrected, I can't help but think that my daily quality of life will improve, and I'll go for just about anything that imrpoves my bottom line after 12 years of feeling lousy!

[This message has been edited by breathwork (edited 27 April 2005).]

Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :

DHEA is a steroid hormone.

From ceri.com

DHEA Suppresses Inflammatory Cytokines

Google Scholar

[This message has been edited by treepatrol (edited 27 April 2005).]

Posted by Linda LD (Member # 6663) on :

The best I can remember that was one thing my doc tested to see how my sleep was. the fact that I wasn't producing any ment I wasn't getting good sleep. Your body makes that stuff when you sleep to help renew the cells or something

I took it until my hair feel out and then I quit.

If your skin breaks out it is time to stop taking it also.

Get a sleep test. C-pap machine changes my life. and get your thyroid tested.

t3
t4 and
tsh

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Breathwork is right. Not unusual for long term lymies. My hormones were all low too. I've been on Dr C's plan for more than 2 yrs now and feel alot better.

You would do well to read the book The Hormone Solution by Thierry Hertoghe, MD. It will really explain why we need to have our hormones in balance for optimum health.

I wouldn't be afraid of the DHEA. If it is low, you are at risk for alot of problems.

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oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by deb obrien (Member # 5239) on :

i had to start with extremely low doses - i had it made from a compounding pharmacy - as i got extremely wired....didn't take long tho for the bod to get used to it and i now often take 50 -100 mg a day, don't think it really helps much anymore...
deb

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Posted by marks (Member # 6965) on :

Thanks everyone for all your replies. This has helped.

I will give the DHEA a try and go from there.

Posted by daniella (Member # 6753) on :

I take spironolactone. Is that at all like dhea? I was going to start progesterone on my own from the health food store soon, also.

Posted by Foggy (Member # 1584) on :

I had a bad reaction to DHEA. It made me all revved up and jittery. I had to stop.

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

I only take 1/2 of a 25mg tablet. No problems whatsoever. Can't even tell if there's any effect one way or the other.

but with all the hormones in balance, I can really tell a difference....especially with the growth hormone.

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oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by lynliz (Member # 7171) on :

quote:
Originally posted by marks:
Thanks everyone for all your replies. This has helped.
I will give the DHEA a try and go from there.

WARNING: i READ THAT STEROIDS CAN KILL YOU IF YOU HAVE AN INFECTION. i SUGGEST YOULOOK INTO THIS MORE, THEY SUPPRESS YOUR IMMUNE RESPONSE..
TAKE CARE
LYNN