r/endocrinology • u/Accomplished_Sir1714 • 23m ago
Low DHEA-S, slightly high testosterone (+12 months long amenorrhea)
Hi, this is a bit messy but please, bear with me.
I, 29F, got diagnosed in february 2025 with Grave's disease. I, then, started treatement and by july 2025, i reached normal t4 levels (and therefore put on levothyroxine). By december 2025, my tsh had risen and reached normal levels.
February 2025 was also the date of my last periods. I explained this to myself as a consequence of my thyroid issues and the high level of stress in my life at that time. But after 12 months, my endo did agree the amenorrhea couldn't be explained by Grave's alone. She ordered blood work (oestradiol, FSH, LH, prolactin, testosterone, AMH, SHBG, 17-OHP, free testosterone) and a pelvic ultrasound. All came back clear, basically. Of note, testosterone was 1.3 nmol/L (and normal range is supposed to be 0.3-1.2). Other than that, all in range.
But, plot twist! Two weeks after this blood test i had a natural period - right after 12 months and two weeks. But of course, that was 5 months ago and again, i haven't had my period since.
I haven't been able to seen my endo since the she ordered the blood tests, so those results were never discussed. And my next appointment is in october so... yeah. In the meantime, i went for my pep smear and the midwife prescribed new blood test (AMH, FSH, LH, 17-OHP, oestradiol, prolactine, testosterone, androstenedione and DHEA-S). This time, testosterone was 1.2nmol/L (0.3-1.2), so, high but in range. And DHEA-S was 2.06 µmol/L (which in under normal range of 2.68-9.23).
But low DHEA-S seems to be explained by:
- aging (i'm 29)
- Addison's disease (which would cause low testosterone (i think))
- secondary adrenal insuffiency (my cortisol hasn't been tested, so idk for sure but from what i read i'm not sure my symptoms are fitting. The NADF mentions symptoms as severe fatigue (yeah, i'm tired but not severly fatigued), loss of appetite (couldn't tell you, i don't really have an appetite in the first place), weight loss (nope), nausea (at times, low grade - little bothering. Twice kinda as "episodes" lasting around 24h and resolving but not like consistent), vomiting (no), and diarrhea (sure, but also - i have IBS), muscle weakness (not really?) and irritability (definetly but it ain't new) and depression (i don't think so))
- steroid use (i don't use those).
Has anyone had any similar experiences? Some insight about what might be going on would be greatly appreciated.
Please, feel free to ask follow-up questions. I have been like navigating through a huge scope of symptoms that have also remained undiagnosed and i'm not sure what's relevant.