My DHEA level was lower than normal and I’ve been taking 10mg daily while on daily T Cypoinate. Of course, I’ve googled DHEA.
Before trt, my free T was 300 something… latest test showed 667. And DHEA still 3pts below the low end of normal.
What the benefit of taking DHEA while on testosterone? Am I wasting money on the DHEA supplement?
It helps with bones, psychological benefits and joint health.
In men DHEA coverts to estrogen, in females it converts to testosterone.
So, it’s important.
DHEA is a pro-hormone, more technically a pro-pro-hormone, a mild anabolic steroid. It indirectly increases testosterone and probably as such, it is banned by the International Olympic Committee. They test for it. Some will disagree, obviously the IOC does, but I think it is minimally beneficial as a PED.
Clinically substantiated uses of DHEA include replacement for:
•Low DHEA levels
•Chronic disease
•Adrenal exhaustion or corticosteroid therapy
•SLE
•Improving bone density
•Improving depression & mood disorders
Also, beneficial in enhancing immune response by activating T‐cells.
• Improving well‐being, post menopausal therapy, vaginal atrophy, etc.
• Decreasing cardiovascular risk
• Improving erectile dysfunction
• Anyone over 40
• DHEA has never been shown to reverse the aging process.
It is fairly cheap. If I was going to the trouble of being on TRT, I would optimize DHEA.
Would you recommend it for TRT users who are in normal ranges for DHEA? Maybe not low but in the bottom of the normal range? At times I tried it I remember it helping me sleep for some reason. What are your thoughts on pregnenolone?
Yes.
Would use is for memory only, but use DHEA instead as it can be measured. Labs not reliable for pregnenolone.
@highpull would you recommend the 7 keto suppliment of the regular DHEA? I ordered some off Amazon and didn’t realize it was 7 keto
No, it cannot not be used to make sex hormones.
@highpull do you see a difference in the effects of different routes of administration for DHEA/Pregnenolone. For example oral micronized vs non-micronized vs sublingual vs transdermal.
Do you use OTC supplements for your patients or compounded pharma?
Thanks
We just use oral micronized. Some use OTC DHEA on their own.
Yes, we do suggest OTC supplements, do not sell them however.
I think this is good policy. The first clinic I used, which was horrible, pushed OTC and of course sold them at a premium. It made me question their integrity.
Do you ever see Preg/DHEA turning out to be requirements for some of those patients? As in TRT alone wasn’t working for them and Preg/DHEA turn out to be the missing piece(s) of the puzzle?
I know for me without some combo of hCG/Preg/DHEA, I feel significantly worse than pre-TRT in a lot of ways; cognitive function is severely impaired, libido non-existent, complete anhedonia etc…
I’ve seen on labs a drop of over 60% for DHEA-S after starting TRT (confirmed over many labs) so in my case it’s pretty clear that’s the issue, but it doesn’t seem to be that common
What would a good starting dose be to try?
Currently on 110mg Test per week.
1/4mg anastrozole ad-hoc when needed… prob e8d ish.
I have been on TRT for nearly 5 months. Clinician initially had me on DHEA as well. But the DHEA really irritated my prostate! Had to stop.
The T does not. Anybody else experienced this?
Interesting…those were my symptoms before TRT. And thanks for the new word! TRT has not fixed everything. I still have some difficulty sleeping. But my bodyfat has dropped significantly, my muscle tone has improved. Libido is ridiculous. Haven’t had blood work redone yet to see what levels actually are.
It’s a hipster trend like many other things with the rituals you see from the online TRT community.
What is your dose? That may be contributing to sleep issues. I recently had my free T rise after a year due to lower SHBG. Lowered my dose by 20% and memory, sleep, mentally and physically much better. Went from 80 mg/wk EOD to 63 mg/wk EOD. My levels at trough were 180 (240 max) Workouts are much better and stamina better at the lower dose. More isn’t always better. Takes time to get it right.
I am using the Atrevis gel, 200 mg per gram. Morning and night, not sure what the equivalent injectible would be.
Have you had your levels checked? I used Atrevis for about 6 months when I started. I had absorption fail after doing well for 3 months until i was back where i started. I never tried scrotal application though. Ironically, I slept the best on Atrevis but the absorption fail got me like it does many. I only applied in the morning.
I need to get bloodwork done again. I am starting to wonder if it is as effective as when I first started.