Dhea or pregnenolone on TRT

[npcout]

Prime deals going on, recently started on trt. I’ve had my levels checked, pre trt these were both low end of normal.

Which one is more advised to use during trt. I read conflicting info, that preg will boost dhea, but dhea is more important but preg covers more hormones. Every source I read is mixed. Or is both needed. ChatGPT doesn’t give me conclusive info either. What is your experience?

 

[TomJ]

neither.
TRT is all youll need.

Oral exogenous DHEA converts almost exclusively to estrogen in males

 

[npcout]

neither.
TRT is all youll need.

Oral exogenous DHEA converts almost exclusively to estrogen in males

Interesting, thanks. My doc didn’t suggest it either way. I keep reading about it.

I’ll stick with low dose preg for the neuro effects

 

[nothuman]

Anyone who says yes or no and apply it to everyone really doesn’t understand these hormones very well. You need a blood test for DHEA-S and Pregnenolone and then take them based off the results. MANY people will probably be low in both, myself included.

 

[TomJ]

Anyone who says yes or no and apply it to everyone really doesn’t understand these hormones very well. You need a blood test for DHEA-S and Pregnenolone and then take them based off the results. MANY people will probably be low in both, myself included.

Pregnenolone is one thing.
But what do you believe supplementing with DHEA, even if you are low on your bloodwork, will do if you are already taking exogenous testosterone?

DHEA's primary function is as a prohormone to primary sex hormones (testosteron, e2, androstenedione, e1)

by taking exogenous test youre already circumventing the entire biological purpose of DHEA.
If there is some other biological function of DHEA that im unaware of, please let me know.

 

[lifter]

Anyone who says yes or no and apply it to everyone really doesn’t understand these hormones very well. You need a blood test for DHEA-S and Pregnenolone and then take them based off the results. MANY people will probably be low in both, myself included.

Agree big time with your first statement. Hate it when people make absolute statements. Shows how narrow minded they are.

 

[npcout]

Anyone who says yes or no and apply it to everyone really doesn’t understand these hormones very well. You need a blood test for DHEA-S and Pregnenolone and then take them based off the results. MANY people will probably be low in both, myself included.

So I got both of those levels drawn natty prior to starting trt. Both were on the very low end of normal. Thoughts?

 

[buck]

I have taken DHEA while on TRT and cycles for over 20 years. Along with HCG too as a side note. Yet my E2 levels for over 15 years on TRT were well in the normal range (20-30's) without any AI's. Then started to creep up. The last year they have taken a jump though so i am still trying to figure that our.

 

[nothuman]

Pregnenolone is one thing.
But what do you believe supplementing with DHEA, even if you are low on your bloodwork, will do if you are already taking exogenous testosterone?

DHEA's primary function is as a prohormone to primary sex hormones (testosteron, e2, androstenedione, e1)

by taking exogenous test youre already circumventing the entire biological purpose of DHEA.
If there is some other biological function of DHEA that im unaware of, please let me know.

“DHEAS, produced primarily in the adrenal cortex, is the most abundant circulating hormone in humans. Evidence suggests that low DHEAS level may be a risk factor for total and cause-specific CVD, such as coronary heart disease [2‒4] and stroke [3, 5]“

Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Among Latinos in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study - PMC

Low blood dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels have strong positive associations with stroke and coronary heart disease. However, it is unclear whether DHEAS is independently associated with cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, we ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Here is a Life Extension article summarizing low DHEA

https://www.lifeextension.com/protocols/metabolic-health/dhea-restoration#:~:text=DHEA%20and%20Longevity&text=In%20another%20study%20in%20which,disease%20compared%20to%20higher%20levels.

 

[nothuman]

So I got both of those levels drawn natty prior to starting trt. Both were on the very low end of normal. Thoughts?

I take 25mg DHEA to bring my level from just under 200 to around 400.

Pregnenolone I was under 10, so I take 100mg of that.

I’d get micronized versions if you’re going to take them.

 

[nothuman]

by taking exogenous test youre already circumventing the entire biological purpose of DHEA.

I know there is a lot of speculation among the TRT community but the truth is DHEA is really poorly studied among men on TRT, so a lot of it is guess work. I’m not sure I’m convinced that taking exogenous testosterone eliminates the need for DHEA in our body. I don’t think anyone can say for sure.

 

[buck]

I have to wonder if those at a higher risk from low DHEA were also those that had low T levels. I don't think any of the process in the human body are really understood well. And i just make the best guess with the info i have.

 

[TomJ]

“DHEAS, produced primarily in the adrenal cortex, is the most abundant circulating hormone in humans. Evidence suggests that low DHEAS level may be a risk factor for total and cause-specific CVD, such as coronary heart disease [2‒4] and stroke [3, 5]“

Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Among Latinos in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study - PMC

Low blood dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels have strong positive associations with stroke and coronary heart disease. However, it is unclear whether DHEAS is independently associated with cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, we ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Here is a Life Extension article summarizing low DHEA

https://www.lifeextension.com/protocols/metabolic-health/dhea-restoration#:~:text=DHEA%20and%20Longevity&text=In%20another%20study%20in%20which,disease%20compared%20to%20higher%20levels.

Thank you.
I wonder how much of that is a result of the downstream effects of low DHEA since this study didnt mention the testosterone levels of the individuals.


My understanding was that DHEA is mostly inactive in men and only really used as a prohormone to the active sex hormones.
A bit more reading and it seems i was at least partly wrong in that DHEA does have activity, although limited.

DHEA inhibits voltage-gated T-type calcium channels. DHEA activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARα) and CAR by a mechanism apparently involving PP2A, a protein phosphatase dephosphorylating PPARα and CAR to activate their transcriptional activity.

Mechanisms of Action of Dehydroepiandrosterone - PubMed

Dehydroepiandrosterone (3β-hydroxy-5-androsten-17-one, DHEA) and its sulfated metabolite DHEA-S are the most abundant steroids in circulation and decline with age. Rodent studies have shown that DHEA has a wide variety of effects on liver, kidney, adipose, reproductive tissues, and central...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Id still like to see some research on the risk factors of lower DHEA when controlled for hypogonadism.

 

[slesh]

What does a picture have to do with who is correct?

I would like to know the look of someone’s physique before taking their advice. Not saying it’s the end all be all - but if definitely adds some credibility to the conversation.

 

[juggy38]

I take 25mg DHEA to bring my level from just under 200 to around 400.

Pregnenolone I was under 10, so I take 100mg of that.

I’d get micronized versions if you’re going to take them.

I’ve bought some pregnenolone…does it help you sleep or make you drowsy?

 

[Doitagain]

Thank you.
I wonder how much of that is a result of the downstream effects of low DHEA since this study didnt mention the testosterone levels of the individuals.


My understanding was that DHEA is mostly inactive in men and only really used as a prohormone to the active sex hormones.
A bit more reading and it seems i was at least partly wrong in that DHEA does have activity, although limited.

Mechanisms of Action of Dehydroepiandrosterone - PubMed

Dehydroepiandrosterone (3β-hydroxy-5-androsten-17-one, DHEA) and its sulfated metabolite DHEA-S are the most abundant steroids in circulation and decline with age. Rodent studies have shown that DHEA has a wide variety of effects on liver, kidney, adipose, reproductive tissues, and central...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Id still like to see some research on the risk factors of lower DHEA when controlled for hypogonadism.

It's true that when it comes to Testosterone and Estrogens DHEA works as a prohormone, BUT.. is also possesses intrinsic (and unique) properties as a neurosteroid and neurotrophin.

 

[TomJ]

It's true that when it comes to Testosterone and Estrogens DHEA works as a prohormone, BUT.. is also possesses intrinsic (and unique) properties as a neurosteroid and neurotrophin.

Any insight why a person in our community would be experiencing low DHEA without some sort of adrenal dysfunction.
Corticosteroid use?

 

[Doitagain]

Any insight why a person in our community would be experiencing low DHEA without some sort of adrenal dysfunction.
Corticosteroid use?

I don't necessarily believe that anyone on TRT/using AAS automatically suffers from low levels of DHEA/Pregnenolone/Allopregnanolone, but as part of a routine bloodwork I'd check their status as restoring adequate levels can make a significant difference in mood/cognition/brain aging and for some even libido and sleep as well. For a mere androgen/estrogen supply, Testosterone alone certainly gets you covered.

 

[npcout]

Any insight why a person in our community would be experiencing low DHEA without some sort of adrenal dysfunction.
Corticosteroid use?

No corticosteroid use.

My guess would just be aging lol. I never checked these levels cycling all my years, not until doc prescribed trt then they got checked

 

[FuriousAngus]

My DHEA levels came out nearly 0 on TRT (tested years ago). I don't currently supplement with DHEA (I have it one hand), but when I add HCG I feel better.