DHEA Side Effects & Safety

caston41 · May 24, 2016

When I first started w/Defy medical, they thought my levels were too low, and put me on DHEA among other things.

I started with taking 25mg tabs 1x daily. Levels were to low, so it was upped to 25mg 2x a day.

On the bottle, and some other sites if I understood it properly, it mentioned potential to cause prostate cancer, immune system issues diabetes and depression among other things. I do know just because they are listed, doesn't mean I will be subject to all of them. But I wanted a little feedback to see if my concerns are not warranted.

I do have low grade depression, higher grade anxiety and diabetes that is pretty well controlled w/lifestyle.

Should I be concerned? I don't notice much physical difference after starting it.

Thanks!
Jack

ERO · May 24, 2016

Those possible side effects would be with ridiculously high dosages, not any dose prescribed by a knowledgeable doctor. The only realistic issue is potential E2 conversion for very sensitive/high E2 converters. Again though, that is dosage dependent and easily adjusted if it becomes an issue.

Vince · May 25, 2016

They do check your levels, if levels are too high just cut back the dose. I only keep my DHEA levels within the range, I don't want any complications that could be caused by high levels.

Vince Carter · May 25, 2016

caston41 said:
When I first started w/Defy medical, they thought my levels were too low, and put me on DHEA among other things.

I started with taking 25mg tabs 1x daily. Levels were to low, so it was upped to 25mg 2x a day.

On the bottle, and some other sites if I understood it properly, it mentioned potential to cause prostate cancer, immune system issues diabetes and depression among other things. I do know just because they are listed, doesn't mean I will be subject to all of them. But I wanted a little feedback to see if my concerns are not warranted.

I do have low grade depression, higher grade anxiety and diabetes that is pretty well controlled w/lifestyle.

Should I be concerned? I don't notice much physical difference after starting it.

Thanks!
Jack

Depends on where you're getting your info...ambulance chasing lawyers? Yep. Medical community that views Hormone replacement as "voodoo" (my word)...yep. Take it with a grain of salt types of information. I'm 100% behind Defy and what they've done for me. I have zero concerns. In fact, at a recent checkup with my nurse practitioner who gives me a sort of raised eye look about TRT, I told her Dr Saya has been taking better care of me than she does, though she's an excellent practitioner. When it comes to these doom and gloom side effects, I don't mind at all telling my Practitioner that her "Pharmeceuticals are any better for me....?" (rhetorical)

PAUL-E · May 25, 2016

You are in good hands with defy IMHO, as long as your in a healthy range and not taking massive amounts you should be ok. I think its more like testosterone it will not cause you to get prostate cancer but may accelerate the rate of growth if you did get it. A lot of medications have side effects that are indirect from the medication its self take AI's side effects: joint stiffness, mood, constipation etc.. they are really side effect of low estrogen and since the AI lowers estrogen you get the sides if that makes sense.

caston41 · May 25, 2016

Thanks everyone for taking your time to provide feedback. Defy did do labs, and they tested the levels, and made adjustments accordingly. I am aware that if someone so much gets a hang nail, they have to warn you about it to keep from getting sued. Thanks again!

I had my first consultation with Dr. Crisler. He was very thorough, went over all of my labs in detail. My follow ups were with Jill. She seemed very knowledgeable too.