DHEA replacement in people with secondary adrenal insufficiency.

Posted by airwalk @airwalk, May 10 12:27pm

Hi everyone,
I am a 49 year old male.
Following a poisoning incident in 2011 I was diagnosed with secondary adrenal insufficiency.
My cortisol level was around 50 nmol at 8 am
I was put on hydrocortisone 20 mg daily, split into 3 doses.
Since then despite all my other hormone levels being normal and my cortisol now being back in check I have never felt right.
I suffer with very dry skin, dry brittle hair with excess shedding, fingernails with deep vertical lines, toe nails with deep horizontal lines, loss of libido, excess fat on trunk, poor muscle tone, sleep issues, lack of stamina, exteme fatigue, anxiety, depression and generally feeling lousy.
I have had just about everything else tested outside of endocrinology and all has come back normal.
I recently read an article about dhea being absent in patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency and wondered if this could be the cause?
I was very fit and mentally strong before this incident and have never got close to feeling like this again.
If anyone has any input on this, I would be very greatful to hear it.
Thanks.X.

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Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | May 25 5:36pm

@airwalk Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Sorry that you experienced a poisoning incident! Now you have secondary adrenal insufficiency. I’m confused and looking for clarification if you are willing. You said “I have had just about everything tested outside of endocrinology and all has come back normal.” The adrenal gland is part of the endocrine system. Have you not had any endocrine testing done? What was your secondary adrenal insufficiency diagnosis based on? Who diagnosed it? Perhaps you can follow up with that provider and make sure to bring your list of symptoms to his or her attention. It sounds like you are experiencing a lot. Also what is DHEA? (I dislike acronyms and abbreviations!)