DHEA Testing

[jwh7699]

I am considering going to an independent lab and have my DHEA level tested. My current protocol is 200mg of Test Cyp every 2 weeks.

To get the most accurate reading is it better to get my DHEA level checked the day before my next injection, when my Testosterone would be at it's lowest, or the day after I get an injection?

Thanks!!

[Vettester]

Why would you be worried about testosterone having anything to do with your DHEA lab?

[jwh7699]

I guess I am ignorant on DHEA and how it relates to testosterone levels . I've read people listing their DHEA level in their blood work numbers, I thought it was related?

[steroid.com 1]

DHEA is metabolized further upstream from Testosterone so I'd be less concerned about the day to test for DHEA than I would the day you want to test Testosterone serum levels.

If you are in HPTA suppression you will most likely present with low DHEA levels if you are not supplementing for it...why I like back filling of the pathways.

For males the lab reference range for DHEA is 280 - 640 ug/dl where optimal range for males is 500 - 640 ug/dl.

[jwh7699]

Thanks for the info! It's the one thing I don't have a number for, so I'll look into getting it checked. Thanks!!

[steroid.com 1]

Welcome.

Just remember, DHEA supports all three androgen pathways and when you are in HPTA suppression it's important to supplement both DHEA and Pregnenlone to support the Mineralocorticold and Glucocorticold pahtways as well as your Androgen pathway.

50mg of both in a micronized pill split both AM and PM should do it!

See waht your BW tells you.

[JD250]

G.....are you using pill form now or are you still using cream? Pill sounds easier to me. I ran out of cream and took some time off just to see if I felt any different.......I would say that I certainly don't feel quite right so I need to re-order that's why I'm interested in the pill comment. Like other supps I'm guessing the "micronized" part is very important. Sorry if this is a hijack, just seems to be a good fit for this thread.

[Vettester]

My mineralocorticold pathway is under construction ...

jwh, if you Google "hormone pathway charts" you can get a good idea how the flow of this works. Preg -> to DHEA, which goes -> Testosterone ... etc. Testosterone can't convert back stream, so going forward it (testosterone) won't have any positive or negative impact on DHEA.

[steroid.com 1]

50mg cream of both Preg and DHEA every morning JD.

Many Doc's, including my own, are seeing good results in some men with the micronized version of the pill. The other pills are largely ineffective and metabolize some nasty metabolites in the liver as well.

I think www.leg.org is now selling a micronized version of each...go check.

G.....are you using pill form now or are you still using cream? Pill sounds easier to me. I ran out of cream and took some time off just to see if I felt any different.......I would say that I certainly don't feel quite right so I need to re-order that's why I'm interested in the pill comment. Like other supps I'm guessing the "micronized" part is very important. Sorry if this is a hijack, just seems to be a good fit for this thread.

[jwh7699]

Since DHEA leads to Testosterone , I know you shouldn't assume, would it be safe to say that DHEA and Preg are low if your Testosterone is low?

[steroid.com 1]

Since DHEA leads to Testosterone, I know you shouldn't assume, would it be safe to say that DHEA and Preg are low if your Testosterone is low?

Usually, unless some hormone along the way is not being converted correctly leading up to Testosterone .

[jwh7699]

Is there a blood test for Pregnenlone?

[steroid.com 1]

Is there a blood test for Pregnenlone?

Yes, and many other hormones leading up to DHT/E2 in the Androgen pathway.

The question is why and what do you want to achieve other then just learning?

See attached per vettes "pathway" post above.

[vinceproduction]

Just to add to the "type of delivery" discussion, I've been using a patch from age force that combines DHEA and pregnenolone. I used to use a preg cream from a compounding pharm, but this is cheaper and easier for me. Just had bw done last week do we'll see how well it works

[jwh7699]

My Doctor says I am at where I should be testosterone wise now. The below BW is 1 week post 200mg of Cyp. I've been on this protocol for 5 months. Still feel tired often, in a lethargic mood most days, no weight loss. So I am searching for other answers, to back fill in the gaps, as you say, to improve on the negatives. Thanks!!


Date/Time Collected: 02 May 2012 @ 1423

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Test Name: TESTOSTERONE
Result: 445
Units: ng/dL

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comments: Males:
Age 20 - 49: 262 - 1593 ng/dL
Age >= 50: 181 - 758 ng/dL


================================================== ===========================
Lab Test: Comprehensive Met Panel

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Test Name: ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE
Result: 31
Units: U/L
Reference Range: (11.0-44.0)

----------------------
Test Name: ALBUMIN
Result: 4.8
Units: g/dL
Reference Range: (4.1-5.3)

----------------------
Test Name: ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE
Result: 46
Units: U/L
Reference Range: (25-125)

----------------------
Test Name: ANION GAP
Result: 9
Units:
Reference Range: (5-18)

----------------------
Test Name: ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE
Result: 24
Units: U/L
Reference Range: (16.0-43.0)

----------------------
Test Name: BILIRUBIN
Result: 0.3
Units: mg/dL
Reference Range: (0.16-1.25)

----------------------
Test Name: CALCIUM
Result: 10.0
Units: mg/dL
Reference Range: (8.9-11.0)

----------------------
Test Name: CARBON DIOXIDE
Result: 28
Units: mmol/L
Reference Range: (22-32)

----------------------
Test Name: CHLORIDE
Result: 106
Units: mEq/L
Reference Range: (98-109)

----------------------
Test Name: CREATININE
Result: 0.8
Units: mg/dL
Reference Range: (0.8-1.3)

----------------------
Test Name: GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE.PREDICTED
Result: 110
Units: mL/min

----------------------
Test Name: GLUCOSE
Result: 75
Units: mg/dL
Reference Range: (65-110)

----------------------
Test Name: POTASSIUM
Result: 4.3
Units: mEq/L
Reference Range: (3.5-5.2)

----------------------
Test Name: PROTEIN
Result: 8.3
Units: g/dL
Reference Range: (6.8-8.7)

----------------------
Test Name: SODIUM
Result: 143
Units: mEq/L
Reference Range: (136-145)

----------------------
Test Name: UREA NITROGEN
Result: 19
Units: mg/dL
Reference Range: (8-23)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Test Name: CHOLESTEROL
Result: 183
-----
Test Name: CHOLESTEROL.IN HDL
Result: 31 Low
Units: mg/dL
Reference Range: (>40)

----------------------
Test Name: CHOLESTEROL.IN LDL
Result: 108
Units: mg/dL
Reference Range: (<119)

----------------------
Test Name: TRIGLYCERIDE
Result: 348 High
Units: mg/dL
Reference Range: (29-149)

---------

[steroid.com 1]

You need to test for Estradiol (E2) and make sure it's a "sensitive assay"...I have a hunch you have elevated E2 levels.

Water retention? Get cold easy? Exhausted all the time? Sex drive? Erections??? Sore joints? So many more sides....

Also would like to see Bio-Available Testosterone and SHBG as well.

[jwh7699]

I do have a majority of the side effects you mentioned. I get my injections from the Veteran's Administration. Although they are very responsive to my requests, I don't think they are as well versed in everything that is involved with TRT. I will contact a specialist and have some more thorough blood work done.

I will make sure they test for:

Estradiol
Bio-Available
SBGH

If there is anything else I should request, please let me know. Thanks for all your help!!