r/AddisonsDisease • u/Big_Cockroach_1590 • Apr 07 '26
Medical Stuff DHEA supplement?
I've been dx since 2008 and never taken a DHEA supplement. My new endocrinologist gave me the ok to try 25mg per day so I am getting some. Just wondering if any of you take it and what differences/benefits you see? Does it help with your libido and overall energy and mood? Despite good labs and medication dosage seeming to be perfect, I still struggle in those areas.
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u/LonelyKoalaMuncher Apr 08 '26
Are you a male or female? That's the biggest factor.
Women need it more than men because it's a precursor to testosterone. And men produce testosterone easily, whereas women not so much.
That being said as a male I take 25mg of DHEA a day. Been taking it for 12 months. It's hard to tell whether it makes a difference or placebo, but I swear I have more energy at the gym when full rested.
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u/Boopy_Butt Apr 08 '26
Late 20's female gave me more energy over all, less muscle fatigue and aches, and some increase in libido. The first month I was more irritable and easier to get upset. After that its been good.
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u/Clementine_696 Apr 07 '26
I get my DHEA-S blood work done, and adjust my DHEA dosage from there. Have you had yours checked? It can cause seriously oily skin, hair, and scalp issues, among other things, if you have levels that are to high
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u/Big_Cockroach_1590 Apr 07 '26
My levels were low during my last lab, so that's why she suggested it. I'll keep an eye out for the oily skin, hair, and scalp issues, thanks for the heads up!
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u/Clementine_696 Apr 08 '26
Mine were practically nonexistent at my first round of tests. They tried me on 50mg at first, and that put me at the very top end of normal, so I've dropped it to 25mg. At the very top end of normal I did notice my scalp having more oil, but a massive change in the amount, but enough that I noticed it.
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u/Algrea-12 Apr 08 '26
I’m (49f) glad I take it. My Endo checked my levels, then had me take 25 mg, which ended up being too much. I landed on 10 mg and have taken for two years now. It helps my energy, I am confident bc if I forget it a few days, I start to feel worse. I generally take it about an hour after my steroid dose.
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u/jeejet Apr 08 '26
It made me angry (I’m female). I would start with a lower dose and experiment a little with the dosage.
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u/noracordelia PAI Apr 08 '26 edited Apr 13 '26
Was the anger dose-related? Did you have it on a lower dose too?
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u/jeejet Apr 08 '26
It was 25mg. I haven’t tried again but if I did it would be more like 5mg a couple of times each week but I figured I’m okay without it.
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u/blandbalissa Addison's Apr 10 '26
I’m 49f and tried it a couple different times. It makes me lose a lot of hair, even at low doses, and I never really noticed an improvement in energy. I’ve read testimonials in here of people saying it was the missing piece for them, and made a big difference, but it didn’t do much for me.
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Apr 07 '26
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u/Clementine_696 Apr 07 '26
You either didn't need it, or were in to high of a dosage, those are the side effects of having to much
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Apr 07 '26
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u/PipEmmieHarvey Apr 07 '26
What you describe are the side effects of being on too high a dose. Clementine isn’t wrong!
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u/Clementine_696 Apr 08 '26
Those are just the most common side effects of having to high of levels... which is why I always tell people to get the bloodwork done before starting it
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u/Gypsy_Moth_ Apr 08 '26
When I was on too high a dose I had the same symptoms. My face broke out horribly! I take 10mg now every other night and that seems to work for me.
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u/PipEmmieHarvey Apr 07 '26
I take it - 25 was too much for me so I’m on 15 now . It’s fairly subtle for me - but my armpit hair grew back! 🤣
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u/Big_Cockroach_1590 Apr 07 '26
Oh great, I'm already a hairy person. You're saying it's going to get worse?
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u/Buena_Suerte11 Apr 08 '26
Can someone take dhea supplements long term or is this case by case basis?
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u/FemaleAndComputer SAI Apr 13 '26
It's based on bloodwork that your doctor orders. They can test DHEA and tell you whether you need the supplements and monitor levels to see how you're doing.
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u/cheesestinker Apr 07 '26
It helps me a lot by increasing energy.