DHEA, is absolutely necessary while on TRT?

[Havasu]

I've read up on DHEA, and typically for men DHEA levels are important, because it is a precursor to androgen hormones like Testosterone. It's produced by the adrenal cortex, and secreted by the testes as well. Studies point out that low t levels, can be because of low DHEA, etc. So, mainly we need DHEA to help produce testosterone. I've always read here on ology that if you're on TRT take Pregnenolone and DHEA while on TRT.

Pregnenolone has not caused me any issues, but controlling my e2 while on TRT started after I added DHEA. It's been impossible so far for me to control, and I'm starting to raise my Arimidex dosage per week because of that. If my testosterone is being supplemented with TRT do I really need additional DHEA which helps promote androgen production? What will be the side effects of not taking DHEA? I'd really like to drop it, and stop the e2 issues.

 

[methos0123]

I would just drop it. You most likely don't need it.

 

[pdelta]

Your body is already saturated with testosterone so the DHEA is converting to other hormones. In your case estrogen. DHEA is too far upstream to control. Drop the supplemental DHEA or take and AI.

 

[JimiThing]

Do you use hcg at all in your protocol? DHEA is to backfill hormonal pathways. HCG also does this. You could possibly drop the dhea and preg and use hcg alone.
If push came to shove either way id drop the dhea before id start upping my ai etc.

 

[Alpin]

Do you use hcg at all in your protocol? DHEA is to backfill hormonal pathways. HCG also does this. You could possibly drop the dhea and preg and use hcg alone.
If push came to shove either way id drop the dhea before id start upping my ai etc.

My understanding is this:

HCG(LH)--> Cholesterol-->Pregnenolone-->Progesterone-->DHEA-->Testosterone.
I don't think the micronized caps of either DHEA or Preg come close to backfilling these pathways like HCG does.

 

[Havasu]

Do you use hcg at all in your protocol? DHEA is to backfill hormonal pathways. HCG also does this. You could possibly drop the dhea and preg and use hcg alone.
If push came to shove either way id drop the dhea before id start upping my ai etc.

Yes I use HCG. Pregnenolone never gave me an issue. So, I think I'm going to drop the DHEA then and go forward. I didn't have e2 issues before taking the dhea. I've looked up the half life of DHEA and it says DHEA is 15-38 minutes, and DHEAS is 7-22 hours. So, I'm assuming my DHEA levels should fall rather rapidly now that I'm not taking DHEA. Should the estrogen levels come down as quickly? This week I did up my AI, because I just had to do something. I needed to get the little bit of gyno onset under control (teeny tiny bump under nipple, felt sharp tenderness when pushed on). I'm trying to figure out if I should lower it back down to the original dose of .25 along with my next shot on Monday morning.

 

[cybrsage]

If DHEA has the same Estrogen creation signature as Testosterone (which Apollon's path would indicate), then you will get a small spike after stopping, then it will drop off. E2 increases when there are fluctuations in the amount of Test in the body (as well as increases when there is an increased amount of test). So when you stop, there will be a momentary spike, then it will drop off.

 

[Havasu]

If DHEA has the same Estrogen creation signature as Testosterone (which Apollon's path would indicate), then you will get a small spike after stopping, then it will drop off. E2 increases when there are fluctuations in the amount of Test in the body (as well as increases when there is an increased amount of test). So when you stop, there will be a momentary spike, then it will drop off.

I understand that the Test will cause the e2 rise while it peaks, what I'm wondering is since DHEA seems to be causing the e2 issues, with the level of DHEA lowering the e2 side effects should lower as well correct? It seems the half life of DHEA/S is rather short, so will the estrogen levels fall at the same time with the dhea levels, or does estrogen take a little longer to come down?

 

[JimiThing]

I understand that the Test will cause the e2 rise while it peaks, what I'm wondering is since DHEA seems to be causing the e2 issues, with the level of DHEA lowering the e2 side effects should lower as well correct? It seems the half life of DHEA/S is rather short, so will the estrogen levels fall at the same time with the dhea levels, or does estrogen take a little longer to come down?

slightly longer as it has to be metabolized by the cyp 450 family of enzymes and removed. It will not be instant. A couple days or so id suspect.

 

[Havasu]

slightly longer as it has to be metabolized by the cyp 450 family of enzymes and removed. It will not be instant. A couple days or so id suspect.

Great. Thanks.