Re: Re: DHEA levels

[Guest guest]

Thanks Lea,

I checked out the site..........I had no idea how important our DHEA levels

are to our functioning.

I spent the entire day collecting my urine..........one more tomorrow

morning.........and then off to the lab.

Should know the results in a week I guess.........will let everyone know

about the results...........

Thanks again for the site,

Connie nwnj

Leave no stone unturned.......and ask questions!

[Guest guest]

Dehydroepiandrosterone (pronounced dee-hi-dro-epp-ee-ann-dro-stehr-own), or

DHEA as it is more often called, is a steroid hormone produced in the

adrenal gland. It is the most abundant steroid in the bloodstream and is

present at even higher levels in brain

[Guest guest]

And if the DHEA is low?? Brain fog the result??

Leave no stone unturned.......and ask questions!

[Guest guest]

http://www.healthy.net/asp/templates/article.asp?PageType=Article & id=196

Introduction

Dehydropeiandrosterone, or DHEA, is being touted as an anti-aging hormone,

effective in preventing and reversing many of the debilitating changes in

emotional and physical well-being we associate with aging and chronic

disease. Most Americans are aware of the contributions of medicine in

managing acute emergencies, but also their inability to offer treatment to

the vast majority of people whose lives are limited by chronic disease.

What is interesting about DHEA is that the data collected thus far shows

that low levels correlate with many aspects of the decline with aging - from

vigorous good health into what we think of as old age. What is even more

interesting is that low-dose, physiologic supplementation of DHEA appears to

enhance one's health and sense of well-being. Used as a medicine in higher

doses, it appears to ameliorate many serious disease processes.

The Chemistry of DHEA

Until recently, scientists believed that DHEA only formed the pool from

which other active hormones could be synthesized. It is clear that the

chemical structure of DHEA is similar to that of testosterone. Both are

derivatives of the cholesterol molecule. With the difference of one

carbon-chain section of the molecule, cholesterol is strikingly similar to

both DHEA and testosterone. Since it is similar to other steroid hormones

(estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), it can convert of stimulate

production of estrogens, testosterone, or cortisone, and many other steroid

hormones when the body needs them.

Recent research indicates that, although DHEA is similar to other androgens,

there are specific receptors on the cell surface that indicate a likelihood

of individual function.

Potential Health Benefits of DHEA

The most important aspect of DHEA and health is that it has a barrage of

claims for improving health in general, and reducing the effects of many

chronic diseases. This may be the most powerful attribute to this

over-the-counter hormone. To date, the following research has been performed

with DHEA:

1. HEART DISEASE - Men with heart disease have lower naturally occuring

levels of DHEA-sulphate than healthy men. They are three times more likely

to die of heart disease. DHEA also lowers serum LDL cholesterol. The use of

ingested DHEA may raise internal levels of the hormone and reduce the risk

of aquiring heart disease. Research by Barret-Conner and colleagues confirms

the risk reduction with the use of DHEA. It will be interesting to see if it

is more-often prescribed (or taken supplimentally) in persons with one or

more heart disease risk factors.

2. OBESITY - Obese mice do not become diseased if their diets are

supplemented with DHEA. More research needs to be performed in persons with

moderate and morbid (over 350 lbs.) obesity to see the benefits of taking

DHEA would have, such as the reduction of peripheral vascular disease,

diabetes, or hypertension.

3. CANCER - Mice bred for cancer do not develop cancer when their diets are

supplemented. Also - there is an association with low levels of DHEA and

breast cancer. If this concept can be applied to people, it would be one of

the most significant attributes of taking DHEA. Mice bred for cancer have a

much higer incidence rate for development of tumors than their

non-experimental counterparts. If DHEA does completely reverse neoplastic

development, it must be looked upon favorably. Remember that naturally

occuring DHEA levels decrease with age, and all forms of cancer increase, so

the relationship between low levels and tumor development is a sound one. We

must also remember that much of the research in cardiovascular health in

animals may not be directly applicable to humans. This research must be

studied in humans with a strong family history of cancer development (in a

primary prevention trial), or those who have had tumors removed, and

followed for over a 5 year period to see what the remission status will be.

None the less, it is a promising area of health improvement possibility.

4. AUTOIMMUNE RESPONSE - patients with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, MS, and

colitis have very low DHEA levels. When supplemented, they had increased

stamina and improved sense of well-being. Lupus patients had significant

improvement in their kidney disease. Because of the prevalence of autoimmune

diseases (such as CFIDS, insulin dependent diabetes, etc.), the use of DHEA

may again have tremendous possibilities in an area of research that has

grown in stature over the past decade. DHEA may be part of the

immuno-enhancing elements that are currently being tried to enhance the

immune systems of many people.

5. OSTEOPOROSIS - DHEA can theoretically work like estrogen, androgen, and

progesterone in preventing bone loss and stimulating bone formation. DHEA

should be used in conjunction with a progressive resistance exercise

program, as any supplement should.

DHEA and Athletic Performance

In sports the conversion of DHEA to testosterone is of great importance to

athletes. If we can increase the body's production of testosterone then we

can not avoid an increase in strength, muscle mass, and reductions in body

fat. The fact that DHEA may be considered an ergogenic aid (a substance that

artificially boosts performance) will ultimately be engaged in debate.

However, because DHEA is a " natural " hormone, it may not be banned as an

illegal substance until a multitude of tests show it is both unsafe and

provides too much enhancement of performance. Until those tests are made

public and ratified as proven by a sports governing body, then DHEA usage

may increase as an anabolic substance in the near future.

Conclusions

DHEA shows great promise both clinically and supplementally. The next few

years will detail information as to whether we should be taking DHEA as an

ergogenic aid, or as a basic component of our daily diet.

According to Cherniske, MS - author of the new book entitiled: The

DHEA Breakthrough, this hormone may have effects on different body systems

and tissues depending on the dosage. Below is a table of the possible

changes in body physiology based on different level doses of DHEA:

Dosage Physiology/effect Body area

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

----

0.1-0.3 (mm) Decrease platelet aggregation- decrease vessel clotting Blood

samples

50 mg Increase in number of B and T cells in the immune system Blood samples

50 mg Inhibits enzyme called glucose-6 -phosphate dehydrogenase Blood

samples(in animals)

100 mg 90% increase in insulin growth factor -1, which enhances anabolic

effects Blood samples in men over 50

10-25 mg Recommended medical doses for DHEA over 40 years of age Ingested

amounts

The next few years will decide the true benefits of taking DHEA as a

supplement. However, in most medical conditions, and in general health, it

seems as DHEA does have tremendous benefits for maintaining optimum health,

especially for those over 40 years of age, or whose levels have started to

decline.

[Guest guest]

DHEA is a steroid? Isn't that asking for trouble?

Rita

atthelake@...

[Guest guest]

> DHEA is a steroid? Isn't that asking for trouble?

DHEA is a natual steroid in our bodies, we all make them and they have

different names. This is different than a Medicinal Steroid.

[Guest guest]

Most " canaries " with EI (Environmental Illness) take 10 mg of DHEA a day.

I get mine from Immune Support. Canary Alice

-- Original Message --

>

>

>> DHEA is a steroid? Isn't that asking for trouble?

>

>

>DHEA is a natual steroid in our bodies, we all make them and they have

different names. This is different than a Medicinal Steroid.

>

Visit iWon.com - the Internet's largest guaranteed cash giveaway! Click

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[Guest guest]

Alice,

Does the DHEA reduce your symptoms?

Rita

atthelake@...

[Guest guest]

Hi Rita, I don't have Lyme but it helped my fatigue overall. (at least

I don't have LYme to my knowledge) my diagnosis is CFIDS. Patients are

supposed to have a blood test before they begin this but I read

Cheriske's book The DHEA Breakthough and started it on my own with my doctor's

permission. He is a biochemist and his book basically says this stuff is

like the fountain of youth!! (it drops in everyone at age 30, some much

faster than others) by 80 most have none left at all....death approaches

fast at this point per his work.

There is also quite a bit about this in Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia

and Environmental Illness by Dr. Goldberg.

The thing that helped my energy levels the most however, is nadh. Alice

>

>Does the DHEA reduce your symptoms?

>

>Rita

>atthelake@...

Visit iWon.com - the Internet's largest guaranteed cash giveaway! Click

here now for your " Thank You " gift:

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[Guest guest]

thanks rachael. i shouldn't have referred it to a vitamin...as its the closest

if not actual hormone that's sold over the counter. in fact i heard it may be

pulled off the OTC pill. anyway, my T levels are subnormal so i did buy the

25mg time released tablets. today is the 2nd day taking them...GNC guy said he

noticed differences in a week. we'll see if i can say the same thing...though

im also just restarting my TRT so i won't know which worked (if anything does

improve) over the next few weeks. i guess i can discontinue the TRT and see if

the DHEA is the positive effect...process of elimination.

thanks again.

Summers <rsummers@...> wrote:

Just curious about DHEA...and if the vitamins can restore the

levels to a healthy range and thus cure my T levels.-----

Just for the record, DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is not a vitamin.

It is a androgenic hormonal substance. It is frequently called an

hormonal precurser, but I rather think that the definition might have

changed since the discoveries of specific DHEA receptor sites and

DHEA's apparent actions on its own. I do see it increasingly

referred to as a hormone.

I have given more thought to this question of DHEA's propensity to

convert to estrogen or testosterone. I believe DHEA will readily

convert to estrogen in women if this hormone is lacking and to

testosterone in men again if T levels are sub-normal.

Its effects on me are purely androgenic even if I use too much of it

(in which cases my libido goes through the roof far past my normal

libido to the point of an obsession/distraction). I am on estrogen

replacement therapy.

But I know at least one other menopausal woman, *not* on estrogen

replacement, who has reported that DHEA has a dramatic effect as far

as reoxygenating vaginal tissues and eliminating hot flashes (both

estrogenic effects) but hadn't touched her flagging sex drive

(androgenic effect). Hopefully with continued use, once her estrogen

levels were thoroughly replenished, the DHEA has begun to fill in the

testosterone gap.

A lot of men on TRT report estrogenic effects from DHEA, but studies

of older hypogonadal men *not* receiving supplemental testosterone

have reported androgenic effects from DHEA.

Maybe other factors influence whether DHEA remains androgenic and

goes the short route to testosterone or takes the longer route to

estrogen conversion. (Or whether it acts on its own, producing

effects similar to those of other hormones.)

[Guest guest]

Thanks again for the info. As phil mentioned this isn't a viable substitute for

someone that is hypogonadic. But Phil, what if one isn't hypogondimic...say

their T levels are subnormal from medications they took and now trying to get

them restored. then maybe DHEA tablets can restore T levels.

Summers <rsummers@...> wrote:Just curious about DHEA...and if the vitamins can restore the

levels to a healthy range and thus cure my T levels.-----

Just for the record, DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is not a vitamin.

It is a androgenic hormonal substance. It is frequently called an

hormonal precurser, but I rather think that the definition might have

changed since the discoveries of specific DHEA receptor sites and

DHEA's apparent actions on its own. I do see it increasingly

referred to as a hormone.

I have given more thought to this question of DHEA's propensity to

convert to estrogen or testosterone. I believe DHEA will readily

convert to estrogen in women if this hormone is lacking and to

testosterone in men again if T levels are sub-normal.

Its effects on me are purely androgenic even if I use too much of it

(in which cases my libido goes through the roof far past my normal

libido to the point of an obsession/distraction). I am on estrogen

replacement therapy.

But I know at least one other menopausal woman, *not* on estrogen

replacement, who has reported that DHEA has a dramatic effect as far

as reoxygenating vaginal tissues and eliminating hot flashes (both

estrogenic effects) but hadn't touched her flagging sex drive

(androgenic effect). Hopefully with continued use, once her estrogen

levels were thoroughly replenished, the DHEA has begun to fill in the

testosterone gap.

A lot of men on TRT report estrogenic effects from DHEA, but studies

of older hypogonadal men *not* receiving supplemental testosterone

have reported androgenic effects from DHEA.

Maybe other factors influence whether DHEA remains androgenic and

goes the short route to testosterone or takes the longer route to

estrogen conversion. (Or whether it acts on its own, producing

effects similar to those of other hormones.)

[Guest guest]

On Wed, 9 Nov 2005 12:11:48 -0800 (PST), you wrote:

>Thanks again for the info. As phil mentioned this isn't a viable substitute for

someone that is hypogonadic. But Phil, what if one isn't hypogondimic...say

their T levels are subnormal from medications they took and now trying to get

them restored. then maybe DHEA tablets can restore T levels.

I think Phil overstated it. For primary Hypo-g it would have little or

no use perhaps. For secondary with low normals it might be enough of a

boost.

- - - -

Just another albino black sheep

[Guest guest]

I can't say but you can try it what do you have to lose.

Phil

Jack <rockin813@...> wrote:

Thanks again for the info. As phil mentioned this isn't a viable substitute for

someone that is hypogonadic. But Phil, what if one isn't hypogondimic...say

their T levels are subnormal from medications they took and now trying to get

them restored. then maybe DHEA tablets can restore T levels.

Summers <rsummers@...> wrote:Just curious about DHEA...and if the vitamins can restore the

levels to a healthy range and thus cure my T levels.-----

Just for the record, DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is not a vitamin.

It is a androgenic hormonal substance. It is frequently called an

hormonal precurser, but I rather think that the definition might have

changed since the discoveries of specific DHEA receptor sites and

DHEA's apparent actions on its own. I do see it increasingly

referred to as a hormone.

I have given more thought to this question of DHEA's propensity to

convert to estrogen or testosterone. I believe DHEA will readily

convert to estrogen in women if this hormone is lacking and to

testosterone in men again if T levels are sub-normal.

Its effects on me are purely androgenic even if I use too much of it

(in which cases my libido goes through the roof far past my normal

libido to the point of an obsession/distraction). I am on estrogen

replacement therapy.

But I know at least one other menopausal woman, *not* on estrogen

replacement, who has reported that DHEA has a dramatic effect as far

as reoxygenating vaginal tissues and eliminating hot flashes (both

estrogenic effects) but hadn't touched her flagging sex drive

(androgenic effect). Hopefully with continued use, once her estrogen

levels were thoroughly replenished, the DHEA has begun to fill in the

testosterone gap.

A lot of men on TRT report estrogenic effects from DHEA, but studies

of older hypogonadal men *not* receiving supplemental testosterone

have reported androgenic effects from DHEA.

Maybe other factors influence whether DHEA remains androgenic and

goes the short route to testosterone or takes the longer route to

estrogen conversion. (Or whether it acts on its own, producing

effects similar to those of other hormones.)

[Guest guest]

On Wed, 9 Nov 2005 13:18:20 -0800 (PST), you wrote:

>Thanks Retro. So going back to the whole primary or secondary Hypo. Since

I've never been categorized by a physician (see an Endo in Jan)...I'm curious if

I'm one or the other.

>

>If one has normal/mid range LH prior to any TRT and has subnormal T levels than

he would be secondary Hpyogonadism correct? And if LH levels were very high and

T levels were very low than he'd be primary. Im thinking I would be classified

as secondary hypogonadism. Is there a clear way of categorizing oneself?

>

>Thanks

Pretty much. Check out the AACE guidelines int the files section.

- - - -

Just another albino black sheep

[Guest guest]

Just FYI...I had been taking 25mg DHEA (OTC) for several years. Went to a new doc, and he had my DHEA levels checked. I had NONE!!! Now I am taking 5mg of BioIdentical Hormone DHEA 2 X per day. I'll have blood work done mid May. Maybe I'll have some then. I thought that the Vitacost DHEA was probably OK, but apparently it was doing nothing for me. I now get mine from Womens International Pharmacy. (That's who the doc uses.) Marcie sugargpaw <pwstanton@...> wrote: Just saw your post. WOW!. I don't think I will be taking any more DHEA. I knew something is making me constantly hungry and that has to be it. I don't know what my DHEA levels are so probably best not to supplement (if it ain't broke don't fix it). Thanks for your info.

[Guest guest]

My new doc thought 25mg was way too much. Marcie sugargpaw <pwstanton@...> wrote: I keep reading all your enlightening posts about the value of supplements and agree 100%. However, I am confused about dosage. I take 25mg DHEA/day. It that enough? How much is too much (toxicity)? Also, I have found, per the experience of others, that magnesium and B-1 are incredibly good for my fibro numbness and tingling

and generalized aches. Am taking 250 mg magnesium in a.m. plus 100mg B-1 and in evening calcium/mg tab that has 25mg magnesium and then another 100 mg B-1. It's the ole', if this is working would more be better...or, am I overdoing it at the present dosage? Thanks for all your terrific help!