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What Do The Following Blood Test Reports Indicate?
Question: I just received some blood results, and it was mostly good, but the DHEA was 50 and
should be at least 80. The doctor said the testosterone levels were good. I see low DHEA can affect LDL and mine was 148. Could the low DHEA driven that number up? I want to take DHEA supplementation, but my PSA is not low, floating from the low 3's to the low 4's for the last 7 years. The DRE was good. My free PSA was 19% which probably means no cancer, but who knows? Should I still consider supplementation? What dose should I take?
Also, could low DHEA lead to relatively high inflammation? my highly sensitive C Reactive Protein was 1.61, when I have always been below 1.
should be at least 80. The doctor said the testosterone levels were good. I see low DHEA can affect LDL and mine was 148. Could the low DHEA driven that number up? I want to take DHEA supplementation, but my PSA is not low, floating from the low 3's to the low 4's for the last 7 years. The DRE was good. My free PSA was 19% which probably means no cancer, but who knows? Should I still consider supplementation? What dose should I take?
Also, could low DHEA lead to relatively high inflammation? my highly sensitive C Reactive Protein was 1.61, when I have always been below 1.
Brief Answer:
It is not clear that DHEA supplementation is beneficial.
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, Welcome to HCM
I have gone through your question.
I can understand your concern.
DHEA stands for dehydroepiandrosterone. It is a weak male hormone (androgen) produced by the adrenal glands in both men and women.
For the males 40-67 years the normal range is of DHEA is 630-4700 ng/L.(but the reference range varies by the technique used.
Low levels of DHEA are associated with aging and disease states. Specifically, a deficiency of DHEA has been found to correlate with immune dysfunction, inflammation, greater risk of certain cancers, heart disease in men, and osteoporosis.
Some people take DHEA supplements in the hopes that DHEA will have health benefits and prevent some illnesses.But it's not clear that using DHEA supplements will help lower the risks of getting any diseases and study results are mixed and often contradictory.
Some studies reported that DHEA lowered levels of LDL along with total body fat. (you have a normal LDL level for the moment.)
DHEA may increase the risk of some cancers that are affected by hormones, like cancers of the breast, ovaries, and prostate.
You have a normal-high level of PSA, that means that you may be at risk for prostate cancer, so in my opinion you should not take DHEA supplements.
I see that you have a slightly high CRP(the normal range of C reactive protein is less than 1.0 milligram per deciliter) that means that you have an inflammation or infection in your body. A recent finding involves the anti-inflammatory properties of DHEA. So my anwer is: Yes, low DHEA can lead to inflammation.
Hope I have answer to your question.If you have other question, i'll be happy to help.
Thank you for using HCM.
Wish you good health.
It is not clear that DHEA supplementation is beneficial.
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, Welcome to HCM
I have gone through your question.
I can understand your concern.
DHEA stands for dehydroepiandrosterone. It is a weak male hormone (androgen) produced by the adrenal glands in both men and women.
For the males 40-67 years the normal range is of DHEA is 630-4700 ng/L.(but the reference range varies by the technique used.
Low levels of DHEA are associated with aging and disease states. Specifically, a deficiency of DHEA has been found to correlate with immune dysfunction, inflammation, greater risk of certain cancers, heart disease in men, and osteoporosis.
Some people take DHEA supplements in the hopes that DHEA will have health benefits and prevent some illnesses.But it's not clear that using DHEA supplements will help lower the risks of getting any diseases and study results are mixed and often contradictory.
Some studies reported that DHEA lowered levels of LDL along with total body fat. (you have a normal LDL level for the moment.)
DHEA may increase the risk of some cancers that are affected by hormones, like cancers of the breast, ovaries, and prostate.
You have a normal-high level of PSA, that means that you may be at risk for prostate cancer, so in my opinion you should not take DHEA supplements.
I see that you have a slightly high CRP(the normal range of C reactive protein is less than 1.0 milligram per deciliter) that means that you have an inflammation or infection in your body. A recent finding involves the anti-inflammatory properties of DHEA. So my anwer is: Yes, low DHEA can lead to inflammation.
Hope I have answer to your question.If you have other question, i'll be happy to help.
Thank you for using HCM.
Wish you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
I am on the fence in regard to taking the supplement. Yes, my psa is somewhat high, but LDH was 161 and my ESR was 3, both indicative of no cancer and I do take fuicoidan and pomegranate extract and juice, so I am torn. DHEA probably can help in many areas, but as you point out, there is still is the potential PC can be present. So if you were I, still you would not take the supplement?
Is there a natural way to increase DHEA without supplements or some other safe way?
Is there a natural way to increase DHEA without supplements or some other safe way?
Brief Answer:
The results of DHEA supplements can be variable and unpredictable.
Detailed Answer:
dear user
Yes,you'r right;DHEA probably can help in many areas.
A number of studies have found that DHEA supplements may help people with depression, obesity, lupus, and adrenal insufficiency. DHEA may also improve skin in older people and help treat osteoporosis, erectile dysfunction, and some psychological conditions. But study results are often contradictory.
Also DHEA is used by some people who want to "reverse" aging and boost immunity, cognitive function, and muscle strength. For now, studies don't back up these uses.
But the riscs of these supplements (especially if you take high dose of DHEA)must be taken in consideration.
People who have heart problems, liver disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid problems, polycystic ovary syndrome, and a history of clotting problems should not use DHEA. DHEA may increase the risk of some cancers that are affected by hormones, like cancers of the prostate,ovaries and breast.
You should talk with an urologist about the potential risc of PC in your case.
If you want my opinion,i can say that it is possible that a PC can develope, for this reason i don't prefere to take the riscs of taking DHEA supplements.
You should know that when prostate cancer develops, the PSA level usually goes above 4. Still, a level below 4 does not guarantee that a man doesn’t have cancer. About 15% of men with a PSA below 4 will have prostate cancer on a biopsy.
Anyway a lot of people take DHEA supplements and benefits. It is generally considered safe when taken in low doses.
If you decise to take this hormone you should know that it’s best to take DHEA supplements in low doses at first to give your body time to acclimate, and then gradually increase the amount over several months.
The answer for your second question:There are no food sources of DHEA. Wild yams contain a substance similar to DHEA that is used to make DHEA in the laboratory. The body manufactures DHEA naturally in the adrenal glands.
Hope my information is helpful for you.
Take care.
The results of DHEA supplements can be variable and unpredictable.
Detailed Answer:
dear user
Yes,you'r right;DHEA probably can help in many areas.
A number of studies have found that DHEA supplements may help people with depression, obesity, lupus, and adrenal insufficiency. DHEA may also improve skin in older people and help treat osteoporosis, erectile dysfunction, and some psychological conditions. But study results are often contradictory.
Also DHEA is used by some people who want to "reverse" aging and boost immunity, cognitive function, and muscle strength. For now, studies don't back up these uses.
But the riscs of these supplements (especially if you take high dose of DHEA)must be taken in consideration.
People who have heart problems, liver disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid problems, polycystic ovary syndrome, and a history of clotting problems should not use DHEA. DHEA may increase the risk of some cancers that are affected by hormones, like cancers of the prostate,ovaries and breast.
You should talk with an urologist about the potential risc of PC in your case.
If you want my opinion,i can say that it is possible that a PC can develope, for this reason i don't prefere to take the riscs of taking DHEA supplements.
You should know that when prostate cancer develops, the PSA level usually goes above 4. Still, a level below 4 does not guarantee that a man doesn’t have cancer. About 15% of men with a PSA below 4 will have prostate cancer on a biopsy.
Anyway a lot of people take DHEA supplements and benefits. It is generally considered safe when taken in low doses.
If you decise to take this hormone you should know that it’s best to take DHEA supplements in low doses at first to give your body time to acclimate, and then gradually increase the amount over several months.
The answer for your second question:There are no food sources of DHEA. Wild yams contain a substance similar to DHEA that is used to make DHEA in the laboratory. The body manufactures DHEA naturally in the adrenal glands.
Hope my information is helpful for you.
Take care.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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