Hello all,
Looking for people with experiences on DHEA.
Background: Last month I did my 1st egg retrieval cycle (high 450iu Ovaleap dose) but only got 5 eggs retrieved (4 mature/frozen).
I am 37, AMH 5.9pmol/L. Lower normal range for my age. My FSH in June was 19u/L.
My clinic only tested for AMH and AFC prior to doing my cycle, apart from obviously STDs tests. No blood work (just scans) during stims. So all other hormone bloodwork I have was privately done - to me it is SHOCKING that fertility clinics go about with these protocols without checking you FOR EVERYTHING, but hey ho, that’s another story.
I am married but not planning on getting pregnant JUST YET, the plan of action is to do 2 egg retrievals and then a 3rd cycle together with my husband to make embryos and see how it gets on when we mix our bits (PLEASE REFRAIN FROM JUDGEMENT, I KNOW FREEZING EMBRYOS IS BEST but MY DH has male factor issues and needs sorting before doing a cycle with me).
Yesterday I went for my review meeting with my consultant and much to my surprise he said he wants to delay my 2nd egg retrieval by 3 months. I asked if he had plans on switching meds since my response wasn’t brilliant in 1st round (to be honest I wasn’t too upset as I view first round as a trial-error/shot in the dark) but expected some answers yesterday, how silly. Consultant said that unlikely he would change much in terms of meds, but the change he wants is for me to take DHEA for the next 3 months, 3x a day 25mg (75mg per day total). I asked him if he needed to get any blood work done, he said NO.
I am seeing a lot of conflicting info on DHEA online so my level of confidence on this approach is not great. Prior to reaching out to fertility clinic I had done some bloodwork privately and my testosterone back in June was 0.77nmol/L, DHEA 4.4 umol/L.
From what I’ve gathered DHEA supplement directly correlates to these levels, but if they go over the limits it can have an awful impact on egg quality. My fertility consultant never checked these levels, nor is he aware of these results 🤔 DR GOOGLE research suggests that my numbers are within normal range but could improve and DHEA could be beneficial, but things can also go awry very quickly.
anyways, if you have ANY experience with DHEA during egg retrieval/IVF outcome please let me know your thoughts. I’ve ordered the supplement and am leaning on taking it (because I want to trust my fertility clinic and the professionals working there), but perhaps taking a lower dose than the one he recommended (maybe alternate between 75mg and 50mg per day). Also will do all hormonal blood work again privately in January to check things myself since clinic is less thorough (consultant wants 2nd retrieval done in February)…thinking about getting a second Doctors opinion prior to going through with this 2nd retrieval.