DHEA - oral vs transdermal - thoughts?

Below is an extract from an article by Dr Mercola - has anyone tried the rectal appn?

Why You Should AVOID All Oral Hormone Preparations


There are many ways to "naturally" address bioidentical hormone replacement but one of the most common mistakes is to use oral hormones.

But if you swallow steroid hormones you seriously distort their natural metabolism. Swallowed hormones encounter potent stomach acids, and the hormones that survive this assault then move to your liver where they will be further broken down. Your liver screens all molecules that enter your blood stream, passing some onward, modifying or detoxifying others, and rejecting a few.

This routing of orally swallowed hormones is in sharp contrast to the way nature intended them to be distributed to your tissues.

If you swallow hormones, only 10-15 percent will eventually reach the target tissues and you will need to take an oral dose that is 500 percent higher than you need.

Many different metabolites are created in your liver when you swallow a DHEA supplement and any of these can produce unwanted side effects.

So if you or anyone you know currently use an oral DHEA supplement or any other oral hormone, I encourage you to strongly consider phasing them out and instead using a DHEA cream preparation that you administer trans mucosally.

Best Way to Use DHEA Cream


The key mistake that many well-intentioned and knowledgeable doctors -- including myself -- have made is to advise using DHEA cream on your skin. While this certainly provides better results than swallowing the hormones, the method of delivery can still be improved.

The primary problem with topical skin application of the cream is that it's very difficult to determine the dose. Hormones also accumulate in fat tissue, so you may end up with far more than you need.

There is a relatively minor tweak you can make using the cream that avoids nearly all of the side effects of applying the cream on your skin.

If you apply the cream to your mucous epithelial membranes that line your vagina, you are able to obtain a virtually ideal administration system. Not only is absorption through these membranes more complete than through your skin, but hormones absorbed through your vaginal membranes also eliminate the production of unwanted metabolites of DHEA.

Men also require hormones and I myself take DHEA. Obviously men don't have a vagina to administer the cream, but we do have a rectum that has a similar mucosal epithelial surface. So for men, the ideal delivery system for DHEA is in cream form, through the rectum.

Interesting. Blood work would actually say otherwise. For me at least. DHEA is fat soluble and should not be taken on an empty stomach (common mistake, including myself). A micronized form is preferable for higher absorption. Splitting your dose into twice daily is also beneficial. So you see, you can do things to increase its absorption and benefit. I've done this (managed to finally increase DHEA orally), and it works.

Funny how the liver is mentioned only with orals, well... transdermals and injectable also go through the liver, non-oral administration just skips the first pass. There is no evidence that only 10-15% is beneficial when taken orally, no such thing, not sure where he got that random range.

Like any other type of administration, Several things can interrupt absorption through the rectum. As a matter of fact, there aren't very many things administered this way that are actually effective.

On a side note: This is ridiculous and I doubt anyone wants to do this daily.

Can you please link us to this article (if its not located on another forum). Surely his level of confidence in writing this article is backed with proof. Otherwise I think it's just another net-traffic-seeking article.

Thanks for sharing, John.

Thanks Aust - if you google 'DHEA Mercola' there are a few articles there. Tried the recommended application last night, but it has no appeal.. Will start on 50 mg slow release oral to see how that goes. (would you start at 25 or 50?). I know GD & Kel (I think) seem to be happy with oral. I don't like creams or gels of any sort - just the gooey factor. Mercola, though, is widely known - see his website. He does seem to openly admit though, changes of perspective when new research data becomes known.

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Originally Posted by johnhenry

Thanks Aust - if you google 'DHEA Mercola' there are a few articles there. Tried the recommended application last night, but it has no appeal.. Will start on 50 mg slow release oral to see how that goes. (would you start at 25 or 50?). I know GD & Kel (I think) seem to be happy with oral. I don't like creams or gels of any sort - just the gooey factor. Mercola, though, is widely known - see his website. He does seem to openly admit though, changes of perspective when new research data becomes known.

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I run 100. You can start low until your next blood work, then you can adjust accordingly. 50 is a fine start :)

A bit more info - this is from the doc at the compounding pharmacy who I think is pretty good - and he is up to date with what Dr Crisler does:- his comments on the Mercola article: "The info you gave on DHEA is incorrect. Yes most bioidentical hormones have a low oral bioavailability (10-15%) with the exception of DHEA which has a oral bioavailability of over 90% so oral doses of DHEA are absorbed very well. I have been using it orally for many years and tested 1000's of patients and never had any issues with it. DHEA can also be used in a cream 2.5% to 5% cream if any malabsorption or gut issues are present which could decrease absorption. The advantage with oral DHEA is it passed through the liver and is converted into DHEA-S which is stronger than DHEA. When used as a cream this does not happen to the same degree. We use creams on thin skined areas with little subcutaneous fat like the inner arm which works well without the need for rectal administration. "

Quote:

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Originally Posted by johnhenry

Obviously men don't have a vagina to administer the cream, but we do have a rectum that has a similar mucosal epithelial surface. So for men, the ideal delivery system for DHEA is in cream form, through the rectum.

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at first I was like :roll: then I was like :frown:

anyway, back to the subject: Is there an advantage to taking it at different times throughout the day instead of all 100mg at one time?

I take my preg/dhea along with my zma right before bed, not necessarily on an empty stomach but not with a meal either..