DHEA, skin, nails, hair

[ShannonD]

Hi guys,

So I was diagnosed this summer....and am learning new things....so passing along info which has been helpful to me.

When I was diagnosed, according to some of the references I've read, I was in stage 6/7 of 'adrenal fatigue'.  My DHEA was high, and cortisol was barely adequate (my aldosterone was even lower).  So this summer, prior to diagnosis, I would have these 'episodes' of stress.....and looking back.....I am certain that my body was trying to react to stress by increasing cortisol......but I would instead secrete large amounts of DHEA....I would get almost instantaneous acne, strong smelling sweat, I would secrete salt all over my skin, I would be lightheaded, dizzy, turn orange....etc.

So when I started cortisol, I did not use DHEA. Initially when I started cortisol and florinef, it would cause this tingling/burning sensation on my skin.  Overtime, that tingling burning sensation on my skin got better, and the side effect went away.  THis summer my skin was very moist (overly so:acne). Now on cortisol, for several months, my skin and hair have become extremely dry.  

OK, so now......I am taking enough cortisol.....my adrenals are not getting this message to increase production (so for me this means I am not making as much DHEA) and skin has gone dry.

So I am now taking DHEA.....skin is hydrated, and hair is hydrated.  BUT the side effect came back!! tingling burning skin with the florinef and cortisol.  

Perhaps this is boring to you all, but below is the UPSHOT

1) there is a potential 'drug-drug' interaction with DHEA-florinef-HC.  It is more bothersome than an actual problem.  For me it causes very sensitive skin. My solution: take small dose DHEA 10mg twice daily, AND take pregnenolone 50 to 100mg daily.  (the pregnenolone does not cause the problem.)  I mention this because I know some folks have issues with skin sensitivity, maybe this will be helpful.

2) DHEA is fantastic for dry skin, nails and hair!!! Also helps with sleep and libido.  

Take care all,
Shannon

[ShannonD]

MORE thoughts on DHEA,

Now that I am on full physiologic dose of cortisol and on DHEA, feeling good.

I think that DHEA really balances the cortisol, like progesterone balances estrogen.  

The unbalanced cortisol was really drying me out.  DHEA has helped so much!

Besides hair, skin, nails,.... I think it is helping muscles, and teeth as well (I know that sounds weird that its helping the teeth, but I think it does)

Hope everyone is well.  
Shannon

[Idaho Dusty]

Shannon,

I'm so glad you're feeling better and have found what works for you!

:) Dusty

[galliar]

Shannon,

Your post is very informative.  What I am trying to figure out is, what changed for you now?  What are your doses at today?  Here is what I take and I feel better than in years:

am - 10mg cort, .05 flor, 12.5 dhea
noon - 10mg cort, 12.5 dhea
5-6 - 5mg cort, 12.5 dhea, .05 Florinef

I did also get just a little tingle in the fingers for a short time.  But since I dropped the am dose of cort to 10mg instead of 15mg I seem to be better in balance.  The florinef at night seems to keep me from the 4-6pm blues now.  

Regards,

Randy.

[ShannonD]

Randy,
I am currently taking:
Hydrocortisone 7.5/5/5/2.5 (+/-2.5 at end of day if I am working late or feeling a smidge low)
Florinef 0.05mg in am and 0.025 to 0.05mg at about 2pm (it depends on my activity, how much I need in the afternoon)
DHEA 10mg (total 3 tabs daily, but this is in flux, I may end up at 20mg total daily versus 30, I have just begun to use it in past couple weeks, noticing the benefits on hair/skin/nails, but I can let you know where I land)
Pregnenolone 50-100mg daily (this helps me for headaches if I am getting one, which is the primary reason that I occasionally take it)
Testosterone 1mg (not quite daily, I find it thins my hair, but increases muslce and libido.  As a female, adrenals are supposed to make 50% of your testosterone)
Progesterone, during the second half of my menstural cycle

A note on the florinef.  I agree.  I definitely feel better using it more than once daily (afternoon dose).  If I 'overdo' florinef, I get a dehydration headache feeling, like I used to have in the 'old days' when I did not drink enough water.  With too little florinef, I get sesitivity to light, a head pressure feel (for me different quality than the dehydrated feel). And I also swell, and start to secrete salt from my palms if I do not get enough florinef.  But definitely the sensitivity to bright light!

take care Randy.  Hope the sinuses have repaired.
Shannon

[teethcleaner1]

I have been taking 50 mg of DHEA for about 60 days. My endo Dr. adviesed me to. I have notice my hair is oily like it used to be when I was a teenager and I think I am going to start with acne spots.  I have also had TERRIBLE headaches and looked on several sites and DHEA is suppossed to cause headaches. I think I am going to get off it and see if I can exist. My migrane meds aren't relieving them.  Anyone know?

[dollsie]

Hi TC,

Just curious if your DHEA-S was measured before you started supplementing? (sorry if you've mentioned this somewhere else already). I have read that if it's excessive, DHEA can increase BP and cause oily skin/hair, acne, body hair, sweating, headaches. Did you start at 50mgs/day, or titrate up to that dose? I was advised by my endo to begin at a lower dose (he said 25mgs but I started at 12.5mgs) and work my way up.

Were your estrogen/progesterone/testosterone ever checked? If these levels are o.k. but your DHEA-S is low, there is a version of DHEA that supposedly does not convert to the other hormones. It's called 7-Keto DHEA. I can't really speak for it - I've been taking it for a while but didn't notice much of anything. A few days ago I switched back to regular DHEA and feel a little better (but then again, my estrogen/progesterone/testosterone are low, so maybe the conversion is helping me).

Take care,
Leigh

[Shannon]

tc,
If you are getting oily, and getting acne, 50mg of DHEA is too much.  
I find that taking cortisol, without ANY DHEA, made my skin, nails hair very dry.  

I take DHEA, 10mg in morning, and 20mg before bed at night.  I have gotten a headache from the DHEA as well, which is why I take the larger dose at night.  I probably  could just take it all at night.  I find 30mg is plenty, I think I would get acne and oily hair if I went up to 50mg.  

Shannon