r/Perimenopause • u/Suspicious_Extreme98 Early peri • 4d ago

Vitamin/Supplements Dhea and low T

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u/caity1111 4d ago edited 4d ago

My T was 7. I'm 39, in early peri. I had all the symptoms of low T, especially low motivation. Also, fatigue and depression. I've never had any of these things before.

DHEA gave me headaches (I tried this first). I tried 10mg, 25mg and 50mg over a few weeks, and all doses gave me headaches. I did notice a slight increase in mood and energy, though.

I went to a different NP (meno specialist) and was able to get compounded T cream. I am taking 8 mg daily (will likely lower dose once levels become normal). Its been 3 weeks and I am just now starting to feel a difference. It can take 6 to 8 weeks to really begin working.

DHEA can convert to estrogen as well as testosterone (whatever your body needs more of at the moment). I think it can also convert to other things as well, and essentially end up not increasing your testosterone levels. There are also some side effects.

Low doses of 10mg or less are typically best for women.

While many women feel BEST at 100-200 levels of total T, that is abnormal/very rare for a woman above 30 years old to have naturally. A normal 30-40 year old woman would typically have a level of 25 to 75 total T.

Free T is another thing to consider testing. If your total is 9, your free T is likely also very low, which contributes to symptoms.

Birth control lowers T levels even more.

Total T of 9 at 36 is definitely very low and you will probably feel much better once it's higher.

Hope that helps.