Testosterone & DHEA

[Blossomofhope]

Hi ladies,

I had a testosterone level of 0.03 when I had a chemical pregnancy. I tested a year later and it was 0.3 so my dr put me on dhea for a month before an ivf cycle. The ivf failed and I’m planning to go again in Jan.

My doc did not mention dhea or testosterone again until I asked if I should be on it again in the lead up to the next cycle. Her response was to prescribe me it again for a month now and test in 4 weeks.

So basically I feel my doctor is very reactive and I’m questioning if I should be going on it again or not. I’m taking magnesium now as I’ve read it can help with testosterone.

Does anyone have any insight to share? I’m reading mixed reviews about DHEA.

Thank you!!!! ♥️

@Blossomofhope I am on a somewhat similar boat to you.

Had an egg retrieval done last month (only 5eggs, 4 mature/frozen). Much to my surprise my fertility consultant said he doesn’t want to do another retrieval before I do 3 months of DHEA. He didn’t suggest a change in stims medication either, so only change would be DHEA 🤔

Mind you, he didn’t ask for any blood work during the 1st protocol (just went in for scans to monitor follicle growth) nor has he done any blood work after that first retrieval.

After reading the mixed reviews on DHEA I’m wondering “how would ANYONE prescribe this without checking testosterone and DHEA-S”?!?? 🤯🤯🤯

Luckily, I’m pretty proactive and do blood work privately if needed be…I did one in June prior to approaching the fertility clinic so I know my levels from 5-6months ago. But I’m thinking of doing a lower dosage than the one consultant recommended (as my levels are within normal range but could be better) and repeat these tests and getting a second Drs opinion before doing 2nd retrieval (consultant wants at least 3 months of supplementation).

Have you made a decision for yourself? Do you think you will take it or not this time around?

Hi @ViVRe
If I’m understanding correctly, you have 4 frozen from a previous cycle? Are you not planning to transfer those first? Or is this frozen eggs not embryos? I’m not sure why they would insist on 3 months of it straight up.

I will say my doctor said I should test every 3/4 weeks after taking DHEA so although they didn’t advise me to test before taking it (which I think is definitely weird) they are advising me to test after a few weeks. Apparently your levels can drop fairly fast as soon as you stop taking it.

honestly I hate the idea of being dependant on dhea to rise testosterone - surely there must be a reason for it being low in the first place? The joys of an ivf clinic I guess - they solve everything with drugs instead of identifying root cause.

@Blossomofhope thanks for your feedback!

yes, at this moment I’m just retrieving eggs as my DH is dealing with his own male fertility issues, but hopefully we will get embryos done in 6 months or so. No transfer for us just yet.

like you said, very weird that any Dr would prescribe DHEA without knowing a person’s testosterone/DHEA-S levels and without planning on monitoring for the 3 months prior to retrieval.