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My first go around with DHEA was not a 'positive' go around, as I experienced a lot of the negative issues mentioned in this thread. I thought it was going to make me feel better, but it made me jittery and stressed. I was applying a transdermal every morning after showering.

Fast forward, and also keeping in mind my AM cortisol was under-performing about 25% to 30% of optimal range value on my saliva panel. As a continuing student in the pursuit of wellness and hormonal balance, it occurred to me that maybe the body was in a bit of a conflict with trying to supplement DHEA at the time of day when cortisol is at its highest. Cortisol and DHEA have opposing effects, and at least for me it was like putting a positive lead wire and ground wire together. There's a reason the circadian rhythm chose the AM for cortisol, as it can be 10x ng/dl higher than PM.

So, round two (2) was the PM experimentation. LOL, it was night and day (literally)!! Started at 15mg, worked up to 25mg (thank you Dr. Saya), and now my sleep has improved tremendously, I feel relaxed and calm when waking, and can definitely sense my awareness and demeanor is better. E2 went up a bit, but for me it was a blessing, as my normal TRT regiment keeps my E2 on the low/normal end, like 17 or 18pg. Last round in Dec., was 26.5pg/ml on the Sensitive platform.

It's just my opinion, but I think DHEA therapy is a BIG picture item that tends to get under rated for the most part, and in many cases is misunderstood in overall benefits, especially as it relates to adrenal balance, which in turn (like thyroid, testosterone, and others) can be a deal maker (or breaker) in the wellness program.

Like TRT, there really is no cookie cutter program that fits all. Find your needs, take the steps to achieve an overall balance, and take time to really research why this hormone exists, what its key purposes are, and how it works in relation to its adrenal counterpart, cortisol. Also, like TRT, how many times have we heard doctors or individuals say that testosterone is important, estrogen doesn't matter!?!?! We all know that isn't the case.

<blockquote data-quote="Vettester Chris" data-source="post: 68509" data-attributes="member: 696">My first go around with DHEA was not a &#039;positive&#039; go around, as I experienced a lot of the negative issues mentioned in this thread. I thought it was going to make me feel better, but it made me jittery and stressed. I was applying a transdermal every morning after showering.Fast forward, and also keeping in mind my AM cortisol was under-performing about 25% to 30% of optimal range value on my saliva panel. As a continuing student in the pursuit of wellness and hormonal balance, it occurred to me that maybe the body was in a bit of a conflict with trying to supplement DHEA at the time of day when cortisol is at its highest. Cortisol and DHEA have opposing effects, and at least for me it was like putting a positive lead wire and ground wire together. There&#039;s a reason the circadian rhythm chose the AM for cortisol, as it can be 10x ng/dl higher than PM.So, round two (2) was the PM experimentation. LOL, it was night and day (literally)!! Started at 15mg, worked up to 25mg (thank you Dr. Saya), and now my sleep has improved tremendously, I feel relaxed and calm when waking, and can definitely sense my awareness and demeanor is better. E2 went up a bit, but for me it was a blessing, as my normal TRT regiment keeps my E2 on the low/normal end, like 17 or 18pg. Last round in Dec., was 26.5pg/ml on the Sensitive platform. It&#039;s just my opinion, but I think DHEA therapy is a BIG picture item that tends to get under rated for the most part, and in many cases is misunderstood in overall benefits, especially as it relates to adrenal balance, which in turn (like thyroid, testosterone, and others) can be a deal maker (or breaker) in the wellness program.&nbsp;Like TRT, there really is no cookie cutter program that fits all. Find your needs, take the steps to achieve an overall balance, and take time to really research why this hormone exists, what its key purposes are, and how it works in relation to its adrenal counterpart, cortisol. Also, like TRT, how many times have we heard doctors or individuals say that testosterone is important, estrogen doesn&#039;t matter!?!?! We all know that isn&#039;t the case.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Vettester Chris, post: 68509, member: 696"] My first go around with DHEA was not a 'positive' go around, as I experienced a lot of the negative issues mentioned in this thread. I thought it was going to make me feel better, but it made me jittery and stressed. I was applying a transdermal every morning after showering. Fast forward, and also keeping in mind my AM cortisol was under-performing about 25% to 30% of optimal range value on my saliva panel. As a continuing student in the pursuit of wellness and hormonal balance, it occurred to me that maybe the body was in a bit of a conflict with trying to supplement DHEA at the time of day when cortisol is at its highest. Cortisol and DHEA have opposing effects, and at least for me it was like putting a positive lead wire and ground wire together. There's a reason the circadian rhythm chose the AM for cortisol, as it can be 10x ng/dl higher than PM. So, round two (2) was the PM experimentation. LOL, it was night and day (literally)!! Started at 15mg, worked up to 25mg (thank you Dr. Saya), and now my sleep has improved tremendously, I feel relaxed and calm when waking, and can definitely sense my awareness and demeanor is better. E2 went up a bit, but for me it was a blessing, as my normal TRT regiment keeps my E2 on the low/normal end, like 17 or 18pg. Last round in Dec., was 26.5pg/ml on the Sensitive platform. It's just my opinion, but I think DHEA therapy is a BIG picture item that tends to get under rated for the most part, and in many cases is misunderstood in overall benefits, especially as it relates to adrenal balance, which in turn (like thyroid, testosterone, and others) can be a deal maker (or breaker) in the wellness program. Like TRT, there really is no cookie cutter program that fits all. Find your needs, take the steps to achieve an overall balance, and take time to really research why this hormone exists, what its key purposes are, and how it works in relation to its adrenal counterpart, cortisol. Also, like TRT, how many times have we heard doctors or individuals say that testosterone is important, estrogen doesn't matter!?!?! We all know that isn't the case. [/QUOTE]

Verification

TRT Hormone Predictor Widget

Understanding Your Hormones

Estradiol (E2)

A form of estrogen produced from testosterone. Important for bone health, mood, and libido. Too high can cause side effects; too low can affect well-being.

DHT

Dihydrotestosterone is a potent androgen derived from testosterone. Affects hair growth, prostate health, and masculinization effects.

Free Testosterone

The biologically active form of testosterone not bound to proteins. Directly available for cellular uptake and biological effects.

Scientific Reference

Lakshman KM, Kaplan B, Travison TG, Basaria S, Knapp PE, Singh AB, LaValley MP, Mazer NA, Bhasin S. The effects of injected testosterone dose and age on the conversion of testosterone to estradiol and dihydrotestosterone in young and older men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Aug;95(8):3955-64.

DOI: 10.1210/jc.2010-0102 | PMID: 20534765 | PMCID: PMC2913038