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does DHEA help lower FSH?

does DHEA really help women like me with high FSH/ diminished ovarian reserve.??  i'm 36 yrs old, my FSH at day 10 of CCT was 11.2, my first 1vf cycle was cancelled with poor response, 2nd flare protocal i got PG after only 2 large follies, but m/c at 12 wks.  

so now i've started DHEA, 25mg 3xday, as prelimary research from NYC center for human reproduction is promoting this.  (my clinic is in western canada), my RE doesn't like this as it's "unproven".   but i feel old and desperate for our next cycle to work as we're running out of $$.

please provide DHEA input
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Avatar universal
I am currently 45.5 years old and started taking between 25mg and 50mg of store bought unmicrolised dhea two months ago. In that time my fsh went from 25 to 3. Now slightly too low so am going to cut back to 25mg a day. My estradiol is also now just slightly too high so cutting back on Shea should even that out too. Hopefully we will do our very first round of I've in the next two months. I also have just one ovary and have hypothyroidism controlled with medication. So Shea definitely helps to lower fsh
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Avatar universal
From what I hear, you need to be sure that your DHEA level is actually LOW before you take this, as if the problem (premature ovarian aging etc) is NOT due to low DHEA then you can do a lot of damage by taking supplements (it can lead to an excess of testosterone - facial hair growth, voice deepening etc) without helping fertility.

I'm trying to find a doctor who's interested in checking my DHEA levels (and auto-immune issues) as I don't want to buy over the counter and do this alone.
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458090 tn?1256321162
DHEA doesn't lower your FSH.  Your FSH is what it is, so to speak.  BUT.. preliminary studies have shown that it possibly can increase Af count, and possibly counteract DOR.  There's still much debate about it abd I know taking too much is a bad thing.  But, thats said, I have been taking it for months and I responded quite well (better than expected) dusring my 1st IVF cycle.
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Avatar universal
i'm curious how long people are taking it before cycling and what their re recommends- it sounds like you'll be on it a month and a half before?

what'd your RE recommend?

thanks and the BEST of luck toyou
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178239 tn?1277405491
I have been reading a lot of good things on DHEA and many of the articles are from IVF clinics. My FSH is still good at 7.1. But, at my age, they can't tell me that # means my eggs are all good. I started taking 75mg a day, 50 in am and 25 in pm. I was told only take microlized pharmacy grade DHEA as it is different than the kind you get at GNC, et al.  I have only been on it a month, so the jury is still out for me. I'll know in about 12 days if it helped any this cycle.

Here are a couple links that may be useful.

http://www.centerforhumanreprod.com/premature_ovaries.html

http://ezinearticles.com/?DHEA-Helps-Thwart-Infertility-In-Older-Women&id=702017

http://www.preciousbabyangels.com/page/page/2531047.htm
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