Low DHEA

[Helga84]

Does any one have low DHEA and is that linked to hypothyroidism?

[Helga84]

ok, thanks for the answers :)

[thomthod]

Helga

cant really tell you because I have many other things going on!


T

[Barb135]

Here's another thread that Helga posted recently that has a lot more information in it.  It might be helpful to you:  

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Thyroid-Disorders/Are-these-normal-results/show/2419025#post_11753448

[Helga84]

I have had TPO done and it was neg year ago. Only said <35 I think not the value but still negative. I will get my Tg ab tested, I am meeting an endocrinologist for the first time and I have been told she is very good at what she does but will be prepared and take the info on symptoms and the other link if she will not listen ;)

[gimel]

Wow, you do have a lot of hypo symptoms.  One thing that might help persuade the doctor to treat you is getting tested for the antibodies of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which is the main cause for diagnosed hypothyroidism.  With Hashi's the autoimmune system erroneously identifies the thyroid gland as foreign to the body and produces antibodies to attack and eventually destroy the gland.  As the gland is destroyed, the pituitary will produce increasing amounts of TSH in an effort to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce more hormone.  So typically TSH levels will rise over time.  Looking at your TSH levels, I could make a case that you are in the early stages of Hashi's.  To check it out, test for both TPO ab and TG ab.  

Do you think you might be able to get your doctor to do those tests?  Do you think you might be able to use the info on symptoms and the other link to get your doctor to prescribe thyroid med?

[Helga84]

I am very deficient in vitamin D was 12ng/ml but am now 18ng/ml and working on getting to at least 80ng/ml. I am within normal range with ferritin (54 in december) and B12 (just above 400) but not within optimal range.

I have had a feeling that my hormones are a mess but what is the cause and what is the conscience is the hard question and I sure will try to find a good doctor that is willing to help my find out what is the cause so I can treat that but not just the conscience

Of the symptoms listed on that page I have following:
-Feeling tired (fatigue) and sluggishness
-Slow movement and speech
-Constipation
-Increased sensitivity to cold
-Swelling around the eyes
-Loss of eyebrows
-Joint and muscle pain, aches, and stiffness
-Pale, dry, but not rough, and thick skin
-Dry, thinning, or coarse hair
-Brittle nails
-A horse voice=often feel like I am getting soar throat
-An enlarged tongue
-Decrease in taste
-Decreased sweating
-Heavy or irregular menstrual periods
-Miscarriage in early pregnancy = had a premature birth at 28 weeks but was in hospital from week 23 because they thought I was going to loose them
-Depression (very mild)
-Decreased hearing
-Difficulty catching your breath (severe shortness of breath) when exercising
-Decreased ability to exercise.

and I dont have:
-Mild high blood pressure= I have very very low bloodpressure
-Slowed heart rate= Im in the 70´s
-Swollen ankles = I am swollen on my knee area
-Infertility
-Puffy face
-Weight gain=lost a lot of weight because of being so nauseated I could not eat

[gimel]

Just for info, there is an extremely long list of symptoms that can be related to being hypothyroid.  Here is a short list of those that are most typical.  

http://endocrine-system.emedtv.com/hypothyroidism/hypothyroidism-symptoms-and-signs.html

Of course there are many things that can cause symptoms such as those you mention, including hypothyroidism.   However, due to the erroneous assumptions made when establishing reference ranges for Free T3 and Free T4, test results that fall in the lower half of the range are frequently indicative of hypothyroidism.  Having symptoms typical of hypothyroidism is further assurance.  

TSH results within the range does not preclude being hypothyroid.  TSH is a pituitry hormone that is affected by many things, including time of day when blood is drawn for the test.  At best TSH is an indicator, to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms, and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones Free T3 and Free T4.  

A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  You can get some good insight from this link written by a good thyroid doctor.

http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html

So you need to discuss this with your doctor and persuade him to prescribe a therapeutic trial of thyroid med, and gradually adjust the dosage, to relieve symptoms.  Since hypo patients are also frequently too low in the rnage for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, it would be a good idea to test those as well.  If the doctor is unwilling to treat clinically, as described, then you will need to find a good thyroid doctor that will do so.

[Helga84]

My blood results are borderline, within normal range.
I posted this about a week ago

Here are my older results and a little bit of my story

February 2013
TSH:1.9 (0,4-4)
FT4:16.1 (10,3-24,5)

This was a routine check, still working and functional in life

january 2014
TSH: 3 mU/I (0,4-4)
FT4: 14,9 pmol/L (10,3-24,5)

In january 2014, everything started to collapse, no energy, sick all the time, felt terrible. Only able to work 2-3 days a week

May 2014
TSH:2,2 mU/I (0,4-4)
FT4: 13,4 pmol/L (10,3-24,5)
FT3: 4,2 pmol/L (2,8-6,5)

In the beginning of april I stopped working


October 2014
TSH:2,0  mU/I (0,4-4)
FT4:  14,7 pmol/L (10,3-24,5)

In october I started to feel a lot better, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel :)

December 2014
TSH:3,68mIU/L (0,3-4,2)
FT4:15,9 pmol/L (12-22)

in november something went wrong and was put to bed again and feeling awful :(

[gimel]

You say that you are borderline hypothyroid.  Is that based on thyroid tests results?  If so, please post them, along with reference ranges shown on the lab report.  Also, please post any symptoms you have that keep you from feeling well.

[Helga84]

Does that make you feel better? DHEA is not sold where I live so I have no chance on taking it even though I am very low :(

[Helga84]

Yes my understanding after reading on the internet is hypothyroidism could lead to low DHEA. I have very low DHEA but I am borderline hypothyroid and have no diagnosis but have many/almost all symptoms. I also have very high cortisol even though I have taken out almost everything that stresses my out. I am wondering if my low DHEA is due to me having hypothyroidism or something else. Waiting for a doctors appointment and trying to educate myself before as much as I can :)

[gimel]

From what I have read, low DHEA does not cause hypothyroidism; however, I found that "There is plenty of research showing that patients with low DHEA levels also have low thyroid function.  Like pregnenolone, DHEA is given to our patients who have adrenal fatigue to rebuild the adrenals.  DHEA is not taken for long periods of time, however, as it can cause hormonal imbalances if not taken correctly.  DHEA has its own effects in the body including proper immune function, fat burning, muscle building, tissue repair, proper liver function and energy production.  DHEA will also convert into other sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.  When DHEA is given to a woman, it will most likely convert into testosterone but in a man it will most likely convert into estrogen.  DHEA received a lot of press as an anti-aging hormone which led to abuse of its over-the-counter availability.  DHEA should not be taken without proper testing first and it should be taken in the lowest dose possible."  

And here is a link to another source on DHEA.

http://www.hormonerestoration.com/DHEA.html

[thomthod]

My doctor has me taking DHEA 25 MCG once a day.  I canot remember if she tested or not.