Dhea

[Astra]

I've found this whilst trawling thro a Crohn's net

DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is low in patients with Crohn's Disease. In a study of 115 Crohn's Disease patients compared to 66 healthy controls and 64 UC patients, both Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis patients had low serum DHEA-sulfate (DHEAS) levels compared to controls. In Crohn's Disease patients, but not Ulcerative Colitis patients, low DHEAS levels were correlated with high ESR, while high cortisol was associated with high ESR and CRP. Another study found a shift in the ratio of cortisol DHEA in Crohn's Disease patients with active disease, with higher cortisol and lower DHEA levels.

Because Dehydroepiandrosterone can be deficient in patients with IBD and has also been shown to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines, a phase 2 pilot trial was conducted to evaluate its effect in IBD patients. Twenty patients (seven with Crohn's Disease; 13 with Ulcerative Colitis), ages 18-45, were given 200 mg Dehydroepiandrosterone orally once daily for 56 days. All patients were experiencing active disease, defined as CDAI > 150, refractory to other medications. All medications remained the same for two weeks prior to and during the study. One patient with Crohn's Disease (and four with Ulcerative Colitis) dropped out because of disease exacerbation or noncompliance. In the Crohn's Disease group, six of seven responded to treatment with a decrease in CDAI of 70 points or more. In all six responders, the CDAI dropped below 150, putting them into remission. The one patient who did not respond dropped out during the first week. Number of liquid stools, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and CRP all decreased. One Crohn's Diseas patient relapsed on day 56. Patients were followed for eight weeks after the end of the study and no further Crohn's Disease relapses were reported.


Many patients with IBD are adrenally-suppressed due to frequent treatments with prednisone, with the result that they are chronically fatigued and vulnerable to stress, infection and allergy. Partial alleviation can be accomplished with a prescription of DHEA, an adrenal hormone often found to be deficient in IBS sufferers.

I've never heard of this, apparantly they are classed as anabolic steroids.

 

[ameslouise]

DHEA is one of the supplements my Functional Practioner recommended for me. I take it every day, but only at 25mg. It is an OTC supplement here in the US so I am confused by your note that they are classed as anabolic steroids.

The sample size presented in the study is pretty small, but I'm willing to give it a shot based on those findings!

Thanks for sharing - Amy

 

[Astra]

ooo I don't know Amy!
I will have to find out about that! in the report it said it was an anabolic.
xxxx

EDIT - found this

http://www.wada-ama.org/Documents/S.../2005/WADA_Symposium_2005_3_2_Labrie_Abst.pdf

 

[ameslouise]

Whoa, that's really interesting! I didn't understand all of it, but I think it means that DHEA is like a natural anabolic steroid as opposed to synthetic one.

Here is some info on side effects, and it is recommended to check with your doc before taking this supplement:

The side effects of dhea are as follows:
Some people taking dhea have experienced unusual cardiac symptoms like palpitations, abnormal heartbeat, skipping beats or high blood pressure. These symptoms are often observed in people taking high doses of dhea i.e, more than 10 mg per day.
•Some consumers have experienced hormonal changes in their body. In women, these changes can be masculine traits like hair loss, mood changes, breast enlargement or tenderness, facial hair, menstrual changes, chest hair, deeper voice and increased sweating. In men, there have been reports of reduced sperm count and infertility. Both men and women may go through hormone-related headaches and acne.
•It has been observed that dhea interrupts the liver's ability to process some drugs and medicines which leads to the release of drugs into the bloodstream. These medications include glucose lowering medications, birth control pills, cancer medications, heart medications, blood clot medications like aspirin and heparin, HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and herbal supplements. Hence, you should always consult a doctor or pharmacist before using dhea with any other medication.
•Children naturally have a high level of dhea in their bodies and should avoid the intake of dhea supplements. These supplements abnormally increase the level of dhea and sex hormones in the body which can lead to stunted growth, premature puberty, increased risk for ovarian, breast, uterine or prostate cancers.
•Dhea supplementation is not recommended during pregnancy as it increases the risks of miscarriage. Since it is not safe for infants, it should not be taken by breastfeeding mothers.
Though, these supplements are easily available over-the-counter in doses upto 100 mg, it is always advisable to consult a doctor before taking these supplements as they are not safe in the long run. According to research, 5 mg to 10 mg per day is the maximum recommended dose for an adult.

 

[DMS]

Last year I asked for my son to have his DHEA checked and was told by the GI nurse that they actually have to write to the government here (in Canada) and request permission to do the blood test, DHEA supplementation is very strictly controlled. BUT when we went to our naturopath he does a different test (tests accupressure points) and our sons DHEA was normal.

I have read other things on DHEA too, interesting.
Ames - did your FP check your DHEA before you started taking - has it been checked since and been better? Just wondering as I haven't heard of anyone actually supplementing with this.

 

[Bizkid]

I take DHEA as an anti-catabolic because I work out, Ive not noticed an effect on my colitis. Coincidentally, since around the time I started taking it I've felt worse. I think that it is due to the Imuran no longer working. I use it becasue I workout and yes in Canada it is controlled due to its hormonal aspects. Id be very cautious in females using it. I use 200mgs in the morning and 200mgs post workout.

 

[ameslouise]

Ames - did your FP check your DHEA before you started taking - has it been checked since and been better? Just wondering as I haven't heard of anyone actually supplementing with this.

Yes, I have my DHEA tested regularly by my FP. It was really low in the beginning and has come up a bit since taking the supplements, but is still on the low side. We will continue at my current supplement rate and monitor to see if it comes up to normal. I will ask about increasing it based on the information posted above.

As a note, the last DHEA I bought was in the "men's health" section of the supplements....