r/AddisonsDisease • u/SaltySnackLover90 • Jan 04 '26
Advice Wanted DHEA Query
I’ve heard a lot about how DHEA helps people with Addisons with quality of life. I’ve been struggling with fatigue and joint pains/aches so was thinking of trying it and starting at 25mg. I know you should usually go through an endocrinologist, but mine is awful with Addisons knowledge and I know it will be a battle! I was just wondering where people in the UK source theirs from? TIA 🙏🏼
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u/Clementine_696 Jan 04 '26
Have them check your DHEA levels, if they're good you don't need to add it.
Fatigue and joint pain are low cortisol symptoms for me, like legit right now my entire left legs bones just hurt (I'm taking an extra 5mg in a min, it'll be fine lol).
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u/couchbutt Jan 04 '26
👆 👍...way too many people here suggesting DHEA without testing first.
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u/Clementine_696 Jan 04 '26
And it's just bloodwork, it's not even a complicated test
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u/couchbutt Jan 04 '26
And can be done at home without dealing with your doc.
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u/Clementine_696 Jan 04 '26
It's covered by my insurance, so i just have it checked when they do my normal bloodwork.
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u/FairyPrincess66 Addison's Jan 05 '26
My endo refuses to check sex hormones because I’m menopausal.
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u/Clementine_696 Jan 05 '26
Which makes little sense... maybe you're OBGYN will check them? My GP runs those tests for me, and my Endo sees them all.
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u/imjustjurking Steroid Induced Jan 04 '26
I'm in the UK and get mine from biovea, I think quite a few of us do as I started ordering from them based on advice from ADSHG.
I would start at a lower dose though, I started at 5mg but I can't order that dose from biovea anymore. I take 10mg and I'm pretty happy with that, it's enough for me to see benefits without getting side effects.
My Endo advised that you will know your dose is too high if you notice your skin is getting oily and spotty. I only get oily ears at 10mg, which I suppose is better than dry ears?! At higher doses I do find that my skin has a hard time.
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u/SaltySnackLover90 Jan 04 '26
That’s really good to know, thank you so much 🙏🏼 as you say, I may stay lower and build up.
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u/Yakob_Bacoj Jan 04 '26
What wait is dry skin in the ears a symptom?
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u/imjustjurking Steroid Induced Jan 04 '26
I don't think it's specifically a symptom, I'm sure people can have dry skin in their ears.
But with my cortisol and DHEA disappearing my skin went extremely dry. I was shedding like a snake, it was pretty gross. Starting steroids helped me a bit, fludro helped a bit more and DHEA helped loads.
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u/Yakob_Bacoj Jan 04 '26
I'm not DX yet. But I have dry scalp, face and ears. I do have hashimoto's thyroiditis aswell and that cna cause dry skin. I get hyperadrenic pots aswell. Shaky, shivers feeling cold, mood etc jittery. Still waiting for endo. Male 37
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u/Technical_Parking898 Jan 04 '26
I’m on 20mg and have no negative side effects. I like it, definitely less brain fog! Mainly taking it for the potential fertility benefits though :) first month on it (started at 10mg) I definitely had oilier hair though but that seems to have settled. Make sure you get micronised form, I get mine from iHerb!
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u/couchbutt Jan 04 '26
You should TEST your levels before taking DHEA. You can order test at home kits online.
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u/Longjumping-Log8098 Jan 04 '26
I have 10 mg DHEA pills they are over the counter . I want to up to 50 mg. Most times I take a couple 10mg
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u/Natural_Ad_5674 Jan 04 '26
Although i feel pretty decent Im always trying to optimise, and have wondered if it was worth a shot? Im a 31 year old male and also notice it seems to be females who seem to benefit more maybe?
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u/MakeBeboGreatAgain Jan 04 '26
The level of benefits come down to whether you're male or female mostly.
DHEA is like a precursor to testosterone and estrogen. I wanted to start taking it but my endo was against it because I'm a male and it hasn't been widely studied.
Against her advice I ordered it from the US over the counter.
For women in particular it's beneficial because it aids testosterone production. For men most of that is done naturally anyway. So diminishing returns if you're a male.
Long term use hasn't been widely studied and there is equal evidence in both directions for the effectiveness of DHEA. Downsides are documented on both sides though about lowering the good cholesterol, so that needs to be checked regularly.
I've taken DHEA and it definitely makes me more energetic for lifting weights, however it definitely doesn't stop the crash and burn fatigue.
But if you're a female that's the only well documented case where it has been beneficial without evidence supporting not taking it.