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Can DHEA Cause Stomach Upset?
Question: Good morning.
I am a bodybuilder and was on Nebido injections consecutively for 4 months. I took them spaced as follows. 5 weeks, then at 4 weeks, then at 3 weeks then at 4 weeks. Last dose was taken begining of september. I have since stopped everything i was takingand will not be using any synthetics anymore as they are truly detremental to my health. My BP was always 110/70. My BP became erratic and was jumping between 140/85, then 135/80, then once it was 150/100.
I went to see an endocrinologist and after blood tests has placed me on following medication.
I am currently on 75mg DHEA supplementation for six months due to low DHEA reading in blood tests. The level is of my adrenal glands are sitting at 4. Im also on an aromitize inhibitor called Femara to control my estrogen, one tablet twice a week.
I would like to find out does this medication cause heartburn ? How long will it take for the AI to help reduce my blood preassure ? Is the dosage of twice a week sufficient ? Is 75mg per day of DHEA a suitable dose to be taken on an empty stomach ? I have read dosage starts relatively lower then builds up.
Please advise.
Thank you.
XXXX
I am a bodybuilder and was on Nebido injections consecutively for 4 months. I took them spaced as follows. 5 weeks, then at 4 weeks, then at 3 weeks then at 4 weeks. Last dose was taken begining of september. I have since stopped everything i was takingand will not be using any synthetics anymore as they are truly detremental to my health. My BP was always 110/70. My BP became erratic and was jumping between 140/85, then 135/80, then once it was 150/100.
I went to see an endocrinologist and after blood tests has placed me on following medication.
I am currently on 75mg DHEA supplementation for six months due to low DHEA reading in blood tests. The level is of my adrenal glands are sitting at 4. Im also on an aromitize inhibitor called Femara to control my estrogen, one tablet twice a week.
I would like to find out does this medication cause heartburn ? How long will it take for the AI to help reduce my blood preassure ? Is the dosage of twice a week sufficient ? Is 75mg per day of DHEA a suitable dose to be taken on an empty stomach ? I have read dosage starts relatively lower then builds up.
Please advise.
Thank you.
XXXX
Brief Answer:
See detailed answer
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM. I have gone through the question and understand your concerns.
Most of the questions your have asked are based on experience based treatment and not on any recommendation or guidelines.
1. DHEA is an experimental treatment for adrenal androgen deficiency. There is no clear evidence for improving male hormone function. There are studies in which fat mass is decreased and muscle mass is increased. But no real recommendation
2. The usual dose is from 25 mg to 200 mg per day. So dose of 75 mg is ok. It is better to keep the dose below 100 mg if taken for a longer duration
3. DHEA can cause stomach upset, Femara is less likely to cause gastritis
4. The control of BP varies between patients. Some take long time to control BP. We usually step up dose either weekly or 2 weekly.
5. Femara is also an off label use in males with high estrogen. The usual dose is 2.5mg daily. Once in 2 weeks is not a recommended treatment. Again since there are no recommended treatment guilelines practice may differ based on experience.
Hope I have answered your questions. If you have any further queries I will be happy to help you
Regards,
Dr Ajish TP [MD,DM]
Consultant Endocrinologist
See detailed answer
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM. I have gone through the question and understand your concerns.
Most of the questions your have asked are based on experience based treatment and not on any recommendation or guidelines.
1. DHEA is an experimental treatment for adrenal androgen deficiency. There is no clear evidence for improving male hormone function. There are studies in which fat mass is decreased and muscle mass is increased. But no real recommendation
2. The usual dose is from 25 mg to 200 mg per day. So dose of 75 mg is ok. It is better to keep the dose below 100 mg if taken for a longer duration
3. DHEA can cause stomach upset, Femara is less likely to cause gastritis
4. The control of BP varies between patients. Some take long time to control BP. We usually step up dose either weekly or 2 weekly.
5. Femara is also an off label use in males with high estrogen. The usual dose is 2.5mg daily. Once in 2 weeks is not a recommended treatment. Again since there are no recommended treatment guilelines practice may differ based on experience.
Hope I have answered your questions. If you have any further queries I will be happy to help you
Regards,
Dr Ajish TP [MD,DM]
Consultant Endocrinologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello.
Does a treatment of femara twice a week for six months sound normal to you as a professional ? Is it able to manage the high estrogen converted from all the free testosterone.
How long will the femara take to be effective ?
How long does it take dhea suplementation to take effect ? Hence how long until i start feeling normal again. My energy levels are really low and i dont have the energy i used to. I always feel burnt out and have to have something to eat intermittently otherwise i feel even worse.
Thank you.
XXXX
Does a treatment of femara twice a week for six months sound normal to you as a professional ? Is it able to manage the high estrogen converted from all the free testosterone.
How long will the femara take to be effective ?
How long does it take dhea suplementation to take effect ? Hence how long until i start feeling normal again. My energy levels are really low and i dont have the energy i used to. I always feel burnt out and have to have something to eat intermittently otherwise i feel even worse.
Thank you.
XXXX
Brief Answer:
see detailed answer
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
1. The half life of the medicine Femara is less than 2 days. So it is not logical to have this medicine twice weekly. It may not be able to completely decrease the conversion of testosterone to estrogen
2. It takes 2-6 months to have the complete effect of femara. Stable blood levels of the medication is reached after 6 weeks.
3. If effective DHEA supplementation will have its effect in a months time. There are reports of improvement in quality of life and muscle strength after DHEA treatment. So hope for the best
Regards
Dr Ajish TP
see detailed answer
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
1. The half life of the medicine Femara is less than 2 days. So it is not logical to have this medicine twice weekly. It may not be able to completely decrease the conversion of testosterone to estrogen
2. It takes 2-6 months to have the complete effect of femara. Stable blood levels of the medication is reached after 6 weeks.
3. If effective DHEA supplementation will have its effect in a months time. There are reports of improvement in quality of life and muscle strength after DHEA treatment. So hope for the best
Regards
Dr Ajish TP
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What wiuld you recommend as a suitable dose of femara to manage the testosterone effect ? Every other day or three times a week.
What would be best recommendation
Thank you. ?
What would be best recommendation
Thank you. ?
Brief Answer:
Daily dose is ideal
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back,
Daily dose of Femara 2.5 mg is ideal. Minimum needed is alternate day dose.
Regards
Dr Ajish TP
Daily dose is ideal
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back,
Daily dose of Femara 2.5 mg is ideal. Minimum needed is alternate day dose.
Regards
Dr Ajish TP
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
How long would i need to take treatment for ?
Brief Answer:
You should take treatment for at least 6 months
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
You should take treatment for at least 6 months. You can recheck DHEA s and estradiol after 2 months of stopping treatment
Regards
Dr Ajish TP
You should take treatment for at least 6 months
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
You should take treatment for at least 6 months. You can recheck DHEA s and estradiol after 2 months of stopping treatment
Regards
Dr Ajish TP
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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