Lowering High Cortisol

Will a supplement of  DHEA lower high cortisol? If so, how many milligrams would be a conservative dose? Thank you for your replies.

[rumpled]

DHEA is a precursor hormone that goes on to create testosterone and estrogen. It will not ever reduce cortisol.

There is nothing you can take OTC that will reduce cortisol.

[allmymarbles]

Thank you.

[allmymarbles]

My doctor put me on CortisolManager.  I only just started using it.

[rumpled]

If you lower cortisol, in real life, you have to take a replacements or have them available - without it you can die. The only people I know that take suppressives without replacements are those with diagnosed Cushing's syndrome who have super high cortisol levels waiting for surgery.

All medications that DO lower it - and they are by script - require monitoring for side effects and to make sure one does not have an adrenal crisis.

While the commercials give cortisol a bad rap, it is actually essential for life.

[allmymarbles]

High cortisol leads to anxiety and panic attacks. Why would there be a problem in controlling it?

[rumpled]

I had high cortisol for years. I know many with high cortisol. Not everyone has/had anxiety, panic attacks, depression, etc. I even know people that did not gain weight. Some had ok bones, some rolled over in bed and broke bones. Some had stretch marks, some did not. I could go on and on with the list of symptoms.

There is no perfect way to determine high cortisol by symptoms - they are all over. Testing by a reputable lab must be done.

There is no problem in controlling high cortisol. It should be done - high cortisol can destroy a body - but no OTC herb that I know (and I did try too) will lower cortisol and if it did, then it would be life threatening as you can't just lower it - cortisol has to be there.

[allmymarbles]

I had saliva and urine samples tested. My cortisol started the day normally, then rose continually. It affected my sleep and resulted in panic attacks. The adrenal problem was the result of using inhaled steroids for COPD. I have it pretty well under control now using a variety of supplements and recently added CortisolManager which is a combination of ashwagandha and magnolia officianalis. The last is very helpful and I have no more anxiety or panic attacks and sleep well. I am being treated by an MD specialized in alternative medicine. The HMO quack, who gave me this problem in the first place, was no help at all

[rumpled]

Yes, many conventional docs do not understand the effects of the steroids that they prescribe, thinking that they are completely benign.
However, I still think OTC supplements do not lower cortisol. I am glad it is working for you.