Following my elevated DHEA level in an Aeron Saliva test done in Feb where DHEA was 971 in a range of 77 - 217, I had it repeated in a blood test which also showed high elevation:
DHEA 57.1 Range for pre-menopausal female 4.1 - 28 DHEA-S 7.5 Range for pre-menopausal female 2.3 - 7.3.
Back in January 2007, My DHEA saliva test was also elevated, but not as high at 599 at that point. But when had retested by blood back then,it was normal.
Should I be concerned about this? What has caused it?
My LLMD emailed to say no need for immediate concern, but would check all the hormone levels to see if there is an effect of a higher DHEA, ie: check estrogen, testosterone levels, LH, FSH
He asked if Having normal periods,Any signs of virilization, i.e. deeper voice, new hair growth...and that may eventually want to speak to OB-GYN or endocrinologist for further testing if it remains up.
My periods are as they have been past number of years with Lyme - irregular at times, 20 - 35 days, but heavy bleeding also.
No signs of voice deepening, that I have noticed anyway. I do have alot of hair growth, but not really new, again has been like this past number of years with Lyme.
Any one else have experience of high DHEA? Any feedback on this would be very welcome! Thanks in advance Elaine Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
DHEA is an androgen.
It is the precursor to both testosterone and estrogen.
In many ways it is protective.
My guess...your body is trying to counter Bb's PKC inhibitor by upregulating estrogen.
Follow the estrogen receptor E2 (!) (left upper side) to PKCD (that is the one to the left of PKA - sorta in the middle).
Bb is inhibiting a phosphate transfer and the body is trying to counter that.
P = protein K = kinase (transfer phosphate) C = CALCIUM activated.
The above is being INHIBITED.
Bb has no need for Ca, in fact, it has a gene to transport Ca OUT of the cells.
The channel Bb triggers is a Na-Ca channel called TRPM8.
When far infrared is used these photons (pure energy, no charge) -> a G helper protein called transducin -> the "doors" to that channel close and this sorta "traps" Ca in the cell.
I've linked the animation of that happening from a neuro edu. website.
To counter Bb's desire to export Ca out.
Now at that website, also take note of the GABA receptor.
Bb triggers that because Bb makes and then "eats" (metabolizes) glutamic acid (glutamate) which -> GABA.
Tamoxifen, to fight (estrogen triggered) breast cancer is a man-made PKC inhibitor.
Some cancers are triggered by (less serious) androgens. And those are dealt with by androgen blockers.
Bb is triggering a lot of free radicals (lone oxygen) to try to oxidize its cell walls (which it can rebuild).
Too many free radicals damage OUR DNA.
It looks like Bb maybe locking onto our DNA in the cytoplasm of the cells.
So while we use HBO to treat lyme and this does -> increased free radicals, it MIGHT be working to break the DNA "hold".
I wonder if AFTER HBO therapy, we shouldn't take d-ribose, a 5 carbon sugar which helps us to make NEW RNA which converts to DNA.
The only difference between RNA and DNA is RNA has an oxygen molecule. It has to lose that oxygen to make DNA to transfer our genetic code.
Mine is elevated as well. I have had it come back at 900+ range. I have signs of PCOS so I am guessing that is part of it. I have not found a doctor that has an answer or even seemed to care much about it. Was your cortisol low? mine was low last time it was checked and I know when cortisol goes low dhea can rise, but I woudln't think that much.
My periods are irregular too..sometimes almost 40 days apart and only spotting basically since they are so light. but I am low on estrogen so that is probably why. These hormone issues are so complicated. You are the only other person I have found with High DHEA like me..Wish I had an answer.
Posted by ElaineC (Member # 9857) on :
Sorry been away for few days with no computer access, so am late replying.....
Marnie, thanks for your reply - but my lymebrain can't take in that info right now!
Suz9601 - yes my cortisol was on the v low side of normal, so I'm taking Cortef - had been on 10mg a day but recent test showed afternoon cortisol now too high, so am just on 5mg in morning now, as morning level still too low. I read on another site that low morning cortisol and high DHEA can result in insomnia, which is a huge prob for me.
I'll let you know what my hormone panel shows ie. estrogen etc. Would be great to figure this out!
Posted by ElaineC (Member # 9857) on :
yeah, elainec thanks for linking the other post. I have posted on boards for years wanting to find people with High DHEA and now there are several. Weird. Please post back your other results maybe there is a common link. Good luck =)
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
DHEA (androgen)-> estrogen which your body is upregulating to try to counter Bb's PKC INHIBITOR.
Bb does not want calcium (the C in the above) to help transfer phosphates onto proteins (P in the above).
K = kinase = transfer phosphates.
Repeating...your body is attempting to find a way to activate PKC which Bb is inhibiting.
A form of estrogen does that (activate PKC)...Estradiol...in some tissues.
3 forms of estrogen...2 are good, 1 is bad.
Note for guys...DHEA -> testosterone first.
Posted by ElaineC (Member # 9857) on :
Thanks Marnie - understand it better now.
suz9601 - will def let you know what happens!
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
I also had my cortisol and DHEA levels tested recently. My DHEA came back over 2x the upper limit for my age range.
Even more surprising my cortisol levels all came back high. High normal for AM and noon. More than double the upper limit for what it should have been in the afternoon and bedtime.
This is interesting because last time I had this tested my DHEA was normal but cortisol was way low, below normal. I don't understand why I went from below normal to above all of a sudden.
I meet with my doctor this week and am interested to hear what he has to say about all this.
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