[dimensionk]

For those who take (or have taken) DHEA, what are (or were) your 3 Day Estradiol levels?

Mine were 314 (FSH 5.8) which I'm pretty sure is high for estradiol (sadly, possibly masking high FSH). I'm just wondering if this means I'm taking too much DHEA (50mg)? Or it is just to be expected? I didn't have either estradiol or FSH measured before starting it (about four months ago).

It is self medicated (yes, irresponsible of me). I was worried about my shortening cycles (negative sign for fertility), and it did lengthen them to a very regular 27 days. No side effects.

I won't confess my crime to my FS as I assume they will tell me to stop taking it, but I'm convinced of the benefits, just not convinced of the dose. (I will stop it after ET though).

[BJBubbles]

Sorry, can't help you with levels as my FS never tested blood levels of hormones at the the start of cycles...

BUT.... Honestly, I don't think you should be self medicating and NOT telling your FS - especially as you haven't even started an IVF cycle yet!

By all means, do your research, and go to your appointments with your FS armed with questions and even medication requests, but taking something like DHEA and not telling them is a bad idea, as how are you to know how it will impact your cycle? They might want you on a lower dose of FSH so that you don't overstimulate etc... I know a lot of ladies on here take DHEA of their own accord, but I'm pretty sure all of them have at least told their FS they are on it!

It's the same reason when you get a prescription from the pharmacist they *should* ask if you are on any other medication, even herbal as you just don't know if there are any contraindications...

Why do you assume your FS will tell you to stop taking it? I asked about taking it after a disastrous stim cycle that ended with nothing to transfer. My FS was honest and said she didn't think it would have any positive effect for me, but if I wanted to take it, I could. Together we decided I would do one more cycle antagonist without it (which would have been my 4th stim cycle), then, if we had no success we would completely change our approach, try a long down reg and possibly DHEA and a bunch of other stuff...

Sorry, don't mean to come across harsh, just my 2 cents, as I personally wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardise a cycle, even unknowingly...

[dimensionk]

I know your intentions come from a nice place, thank you. I've already considered this and decided which way I'll take my risk. Keeping this short as I don't want to get into a debate about it. As I said, I know I'm irresponsible!

[dimensionk]

[jules095]

I know your intentions come from a nice place, thank you. I've already considered this and decided which way I'll take my risk. Keeping this short as I don't want to get into a debate about it. As I said, I know I'm irresponsible!

Just remember that you are doing IVF for a reason & by self medicating & not telling your FS, you may be in fact complicating things rather than helping them.

Yes it's your money, but how would you feel if you were actually causing our cycle to fail, because your meds were reacting with each other in a non positive way.

Then you don't want to get into a debate about it... do you.

[Bwok~Bwok]

Umm... From your sig I am assuming you haven't even done IVF? So you have no idea on how you are going to respond to the drugs.

Like you said, it's irresponsible and stupid that you aren't telling your FS.

How can you be convinced of the benefits when you have nothing to compare it to? e.g previous levels

This post has been edited by Bwok~Bwok: 02/12/2012, 09:48 AM

[Boo_Girl]

My FS has me on 25 mg DHEA twice/day, ie 50mg/day.

[dimensionk]

I thought I made it clear that I'm not asking for lectures...

[BJBubbles]

I'm assuming you've already done this, but I just did a quick DR google search, it seems that while your FSH is reasonably normal, that E2 level for day 3 is rather high and that high E2 levels can indicate a decreased AMH level. In your sig is says you are going to be starting IVF due to MFI. Have you had your AMH tested? If so, was it low? Are there any fertility issues with you? Endo? Cysts? PCOS etc? This can all have an impact on your baseline levels. Without knowing what they were before you started the DHEA, the test results really can't tell you much regarding the effect the DHEA has had.

So without knowing why you are taking the DHEA and what your baseline levels were like before it, it's really hard to comment. I would say your FS is the best person to ask, but obviously you don't want to...

This post has been edited by BJBubbles: 02/12/2012, 02:38 PM

[dimensionk]

DHEA definitely does increase your baseline estradiol, I was just wondering if the sort of figure I got was typical of those on it ...or high for even those on it, in which case I would reduce the dose (at 50mg I'm not taking an overly high amount anyway though).

Unfortunately I do not know any of my levels before taking DHEA as we hadn't been trying long enough for any doctor/specialist to test them at the time I started (over four months ago now).

My AMH hasn't been tested. I have been regretting that I did not request this, but mostly just for my own curiosity. We would give IVF a shot no matter how low it was.

My reason for starting DHEA is that my cycles shortened to 25/26 days and this is very common with those with a not so good ovarian reserve (and my luteal phase is the usual 14 days - so the culprit is early ovulation, which is not a good sign). Apart from this suspicion, I do not have any issues and doctor was happy with ultrasound.

I will keep hoping someone who is taking DHEA is willing and able to share with me their 3 day estradiol levels since they've been taking it.