DHEA Questions

**Lockout888** · 01-08-2014, 01:43 PM

I finally got my DHEA-S tested: 232.9 (102.6-416.3).

1. With my levels, should I start off with 25mg micronized daily? Or 50mg?
2. What is the half life of DHEA? I see conflicting info when searching.
3. For testing DHEA-S in the future - If I get labs done in the AM, should I hold off on taking the supplement until after the labs are pulled?

Thanks

**FRDave** · 01-08-2014, 02:54 PM

I would do 25mg micronized breakfast and lunch for a total of 50mg daily.

As for blood work, it's hard to say. Some will say before you supplement, and some will say after. If before, your levels will show low due to half life (approx. 12hrs) so maybe supplementing then getting labs would be best?

**kelkel** · 01-08-2014, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by Lockout888

I finally got my DHEA-S tested: 232.9 (102.6-416.3).

1. With my levels, should I start off with 25mg micronized daily? Or 50mg?
I would start with 25 as your current level is not in the toilet. Next BW check it again and adjust. Get by with less if you can!
2. What is the half life of DHEA? I see conflicting info when searching.
Slightly less than 24 hrs. Daily dosing required
3. For testing DHEA-S in the future - If I get labs done in the AM, should I hold off on taking the supplement until after the labs are pulled?
I like knowing my trough level so I test without taking supps. Doesn't really matter as long as you are consistent. If you bounce your test times around just know to factor that into the results.

Thanks

above in bold....

**2Sox** · 01-08-2014, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Lockout888

I finally got my DHEA-S tested: 232.9 (102.6-416.3).

1. With my levels, should I start off with 25mg micronized daily? Or 50mg?
2. What is the half life of DHEA? I see conflicting info when searching.
3. For testing DHEA-S in the future - If I get labs done in the AM, should I hold off on taking the supplement until after the labs are pulled?

Thanks

I think your age should be taken into consideration when taking DHEA. Older men naturally produce less DHEA and therefore usually need more supplementation. I agree with Kel. Since your numbers are in the mid range, start off at a lower dose.

I'm one of the "senior" guys on the forum and started my supplementation at 50mg micronized daily. My next blood work showed I was high out of range - but not that much. So I lowered my dose to 50mg M,W,Fri. I'm in range now and I feel good.

I learned that blood work is one of our best friends.

**THE HOGG** · 01-08-2014, 06:40 PM

I hope Im not hi-jacking too much here but is dhea a special test you need to request? Or is it called something else on the test? Im looking at taking it and have the same questions as the op but my blood work doesn't list dhea.

**kelkel** · 01-08-2014, 06:48 PM

Yes Hogg. It's not something that's standard, but should be for TRT-ers. Request DHEA-S.

**Lockout888** · 01-22-2014, 01:42 PM

Once you start supplementing with DHEA, does your natural production decrease?

**kelkel** · 01-22-2014, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Lockout888

Once you start supplementing with DHEA, does your natural production decrease?

It already has due to TRT. Hence why we need to supplement based on BW.

**2Sox** · 01-22-2014, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

It already has due to TRT.

Kel,
Can you explain this? As I understand it, most DHEA is produced in the adrenals. So why would exogenous T shut down its production?

**dhickey** · 01-22-2014, 05:41 PM

You could also try transdermal magnesium. Magnesium oil appears to have increased mine quite a bit. Bloodwork confirmed an increase, but I had a lot going on at the time so who knows. I tried it because I read about it increasing DHEA.

**michael30** · 01-23-2014, 12:51 AM

[QUOTE=2Sox;6791752]Kel,
Can you explain this? As I understand it, most DHEA is produced in the adrenals. So why would exogenous T shut down its production?[/QUOT

Dhea is a precursor to testosterone . So if your low on test it goes without saying dhea mite be low too. Also i thought i just read exogenous test does NOT shut down the bodies own dhea. If im wrong kel please chim in!

**michael30** · 01-23-2014, 01:33 AM

I believe i mite of been wrong. I just read a post by kelkel that stated "pregnenolone and dhea are important supps imho because they help backfeed Cholesterol pathways that are basically shutdown by supplemental testosterone "

**Lockout888** · 02-25-2014, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

I would start with 25 as your current level is not in the toilet. Next BW check it again and adjust. Get by with less if you can!

Update: Have been taking 25mg of MRM DHEA daily and latest labs show DHEA-S is now at 309.5 (102.6-416.3). Also, I was concerned that my Estradiol would increase, but it did not. Thanks Kelkel.