Jamers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28016
posted
Im looking for a personal experience with DHEA. Mine was recently tested and is low. I was told to take DHEA to supplement. Just wondering if this has helped anyone or if you've had side-effects.
-------------------- Diagnosed Pos. Lyme Nov. 17, 2010, Igx. Pos. Babesia Duncani March 2011, Igx. Clinical diagnosis for Bartonella Posts: 1127 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2010
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Abxnomore
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I've been taking it for over 20 years. Never had a problem with it but it does need to monitored via blood work and your doc.
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Jamers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28016
posted
My doctor has me coming back in 3 months. Im guessing the blood work is to monitor the DHEA level to see if its working? He never mentioned the blood work so is this okay? What is your dose?
-------------------- Diagnosed Pos. Lyme Nov. 17, 2010, Igx. Pos. Babesia Duncani March 2011, Igx. Clinical diagnosis for Bartonella Posts: 1127 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2010
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posted
I did a urine test that showed my DHEA was low. I took 10 mg daily for three months.
After three months, did urine test again and it was in the normal range and had elevated some other hormones, so Dr. said to quit taking it. I am very sensitive and I had no side effects.
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Abxnomore
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posted
Everyone's dose is different depending on your needs. DHEA is also part of anti-aging medicine and higher ranges are considered acceptable by some doctors.
DHEA helps support overactive adrenals. They are tied together. It can be tested by blood, saliva or urine. However your doctor does it, it needs to be monitored.
I currently take 10mg a day but it has varied through the years.
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Jamers
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Member # 28016
posted
Thank you both! You've helped greatly!
-------------------- Diagnosed Pos. Lyme Nov. 17, 2010, Igx. Pos. Babesia Duncani March 2011, Igx. Clinical diagnosis for Bartonella Posts: 1127 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2010
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Jamers
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Member # 28016
posted
Oops, one more question. What brand DHEA did you take? I was told to just go to the health food store but I purchased Pure Encapsulations online since I know they are a reputable brand. Any others?
-------------------- Diagnosed Pos. Lyme Nov. 17, 2010, Igx. Pos. Babesia Duncani March 2011, Igx. Clinical diagnosis for Bartonella Posts: 1127 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2010
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Hubby takes 50 mg 3 times daily. Just had the blood level tested and it was a little high. I am going to decrease his dose to 50 mg 2 times daily since he also has very low testosterone levels and the doc is going to supplement that also. In a "normal" healthy person the liver should convert DHEA to the other hormones but obviously it is not working for hubby.
Hubby buys his DHEA from vitacost -- think it is their generic brand.
Trying to balance hormones can be very tricky and frustrating if you are still sick. We kind of just gave up on it for several years as in the past it just didn't work. At one point hubby was on DHEA, progesterone, testosterone and estrogen and I think there may have been one or two more. I just kept hubby on the DHEA for several years and stopped all of the others.
But now with his recent fevers and extreme fatigue we are trying again. He also has thyroid issues to deal with.
Good luck.
Bea Seibert
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Abxnomore
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posted
Stick with Pure Encapsulations. They are a good brand. It's what I have been using recommended by my doctor. You want to make sure you are getting all of the active ingredient and they are one of the better brands.
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Lymeorsomething
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posted
If you need it, it can be good. It tends to be more useful for women. Men tend to convert a lot to Estrogen. The study I've seen says it does help the vitality of older men to some degree though and its levels have some correlation to longevity it seems.
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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Lymeorsomething
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But I agree with Bea...getting hormones right is such a tangled web when the body is still dealing with lyme.
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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Jamers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28016
posted
Thank you all. My thyroid is normal, my hormones are normal...all but DHEA. I guess its just adrenal fatigue from being sick for so long. My doc. thinks this will help a great deal with my fatigue.
-------------------- Diagnosed Pos. Lyme Nov. 17, 2010, Igx. Pos. Babesia Duncani March 2011, Igx. Clinical diagnosis for Bartonella Posts: 1127 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2010
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MannaMe
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33330
posted
Too much DHEA can cause panic / anxiety attacks.
That happened for my husband after he was taking DHEA for awhile. He was also treating adrenal fatigue.
Be sure you are regularly getting tested to see where your levels are.
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