DHEA

[Rollypops]

Hello everyone,

Just looking to see if anyone has any advice or similar experiences....

We are looking at starting IVF cycle 2 soon, our 1st 1 failed in June, only 5 eggs collected, 1 blast that didn't make it.

We had a consultation with our consultant after the failed cycle who did say I could take DHEA, when I asked about it. I ordered some online, but due to covid, delivery is delayed, which is now potentially delaying us starting our next cycle. We spoke to the clinic this morning who said the DHEA needs to ideally have been in your system 4 weeks before you start treatment. We were then informed they advise people to take this if their AMH is lower than 4. Mine is 14.2, which I know isn't great, I'm just confused. So now wondering whether to go ahead this cycle or wait for the DHEA to arrive and leave it till next cycle to start.

Is anyone in a similar situation?

Thanks for reading x

It's a difficult one isn't it. My understanding is that you ideally need to take it for 3 months as that's how long it takes for the eggs to mature. I think it very much depends on your circumstances. I followed the advice in the book "It Starts With the Egg" which might be worth a read as she talks a lot about DHEA and the scientific support for it amongst other things. She also says that DHEA levels should be tested. My clinic didn't check mine though. I was told to take it from round 1 as my AMH is low(5 at 32 😕). Trouble is as I was on it for both rounds so I don't actually know if it's helped. What I will say is I was on it for 2 months for round 1 and 3.5 for round 2 and my results were similar, in fact round 1 was slightly better.

Your clinic is incorrect. To take or not take DHEA should be based on a testosterone test. My AMh is fine but similar ivf rounds to you (x2 failed). My testosterone was 0.1 so basically zero and they like it between 1-2. I’ve been on DHEA for around 2 months now and I need to go for a testosterone test every month to make sure my levels aren’t going too high as that can damage egg quality. They monitor my dose after each test. Low testosterone is defined as below 0.3 if you have it above this DHEA can have a limited impact. I haven’t done ivf again yet (due for egg collection in around 4 weeks so I’ll have been on it for 3 months which is recommended) but I’ve had zero side effects and felt great on it which makes me think my body needed it and hoping it’ll make a difference. I’ll report back after next round.

But I would be concerned your clinic don’t seem to understand the above and don’t seem to even have tested your Testosterone or be planning to monitor it.

@SpyroC I would also be getting your testosterone checked as if you had a slightly worse outcome in round 2 then it could be your levels went too high which can then damage egg quality. I’m surprised at your clinics. Mine are super strict, give me a prescription for just enough for the month so I have to book back in for a testosterone blood test and then my consultant will review before prescribing me any more.

Yes I am suspicious about it too @Exilecardigan. You're clinic have definitely got the right idea. In the book she does mention testosterone but I can't remember what exactly she says(I'll re-read). I did have my testosterone tested but only once and it was ok for DHEA use but you are right it could have gone too high. I do remember she says to aim for DHEA to be in the top end of the normal range. She also says testing is important. This is one of many things I will be looking in to further. To be fair my second round did result in a bfp but sadly it was ectopic. But egg and embryo numbers and quality were very similar. Quality is an issue so I will definitely be investigating this.

I've just had a quick look and the author has actually answered FAQs online. It's a good summary. itstartswiththeegg.com/faq/dhea-and-egg-health/

Hello everyone,

Thanks so much for your replies, I appreciate it.

We spoke to the consultant today who gave us a bit more information, she said as they didn't recommend it directly without me asking about it, it would be ok to go ahead without it this cycle, see how I get on with an increase of IVF medication, which we are happy to do. Keep me posted how you both get on! I'm going to order that book though and have a read. It's really hard to know what to do for the best sometimes. Just really grateful for these forums! X

@Rollypops @Exilecardigan How did you both get on? I’ve recently started round 3 and this time I'm only on 25mg of DHEA and for a while nothing g at all so I’m intrigued to see if it makes a difference. I was reading old threads on DHEA and came across this one. X

Hey @SpyroC hope you're ok? How you getting on with round 3?
Round 2 for us was another full failed cycle, nothing frozen and another negative. We got 9 mature eggs out, but only 3 fertilised. We never seem to get good quality embryos. Feel defeated and like it's the end of the road. It's so difficult o know when to give up and stop spending so much money.
How were your previous cycles? Xx

Hi @Rollypops I'm so sorry to hear that, it really is a horrible thing to go through. It's early days for cycle 3, I'm just coming to the end of down regulation (hopefully). As for my previous cycles, I have had 7 and 6 eggs but both times all but 1 have fertilised normally. Problem is the quality is always poor. My last round was a bfp but sadly it didn't stick (probable ectopic). My consultant feels I respond really well given my AMH/afc but I've become concerned about the impact of the DHEA. This time I'm on much less of it so hopefully it will help but it could also make things worse. My clinic said to stick with the 75mg despite my levels being really high. What have they suggested you can do moving forward? X

Hey, it really is a horrible thing to go through, especially during the current situation, just adds to the stress of it all doesn't it.
I really hope you have a better outcome this time round, you sound in a similar situation to us with with the quality always being poor. We were supposed to have a follow up appointment today with the clinic, but it's just been cancelled. Really don't think I wana do this again, hubs wants to though. Lately just feel like a shell of who I am, totally drained.
I hope the DHEA is working for you! You have an egg collection planned? Xx

Yup it's extra hard thanks to covid, as if it wasn't bad enough! It's annoying they cancelled you follow up, hopefully they won't keep you waiting for long. I have my DR scan tomorrow so I'll hopefully get the all clear to start stimming. Good luck to you too x