DHEA?

precious72381

I was taking DHEA pill before I got pregnant to help egg quality for what was going to be my fourth Ivf cycle. Instead I got a surprise BFP, 5 days before starting bc. My RE says to continue to take the dhea. I understand she is the doctor, but I'm still concerned. Webmd, along with others medical sites, advice not to take it during pregnancy due to possible miscarriages and birth defects. Just wondering if others continued it after getting a BFP by doctors request. I'm not sure what it would do to help with pregnancy??

I also take zolaft, which I was advised to continue for now, baby asprin due to a single copy of mthfr, b6 vitamin, plus prenatal mini and extra follic acid. That is 6 pills plus the pio shot!

Again, I know the doctor is the one to ask but curious if any of you know why I would keep taking it. I will ask her at my appointment.

Thanks for your time!

egsquared

I'm probably not much help, but I took DHEA leading up to our IVF and was told to stop taking it at egg retrieval. So, I was definitely not taking it by the time I got a BFP. Congrats on your BFP!

hopeforamiracle2013

egsquared:

I'm probably not much help, but I took DHEA leading up to our IVF and was told to stop taking it at egg retrieval. So, I was definitely not taking it by the time I got a BFP. Congrats on your BFP!

This. I was told to stop once eggs were retrieved.

precious72381

egsquared:

I'm probably not much help, but I took DHEA leading up to our IVF and was told to stop taking it at egg retrieval. So, I was definitely not taking it by the time I got a BFP. Congrats on your BFP!

Thank you! I can't understand the reason to keep taking it. My progesterone levels this time are super high, low progesterone during my last Ivf was most likely the cause for my miscarriage, but from my understanding, there is no such thing as too much prigesterone, it can't hurt so I don't mind doing the shots. The dhea, however, seems to not be advices to take after pregnant. I want to trust my RE, but after my previous experience at my old office, I truly know you have to be your own advocate. I will listen to my doctor, I just want to understand the reasons. Hope I make sense!

Thanks for the congrats! Same to you!!

precious72381

Thanks. I stopped it last Saturday but the nurse said the RE said to stay on it. I stopped again this Saturday after reading only bad rhings about taking it while pregnant. It says the same about baby aspirin, but I find the exceptions, like my case, not the same with dhea. I will call nurse again Tuesday, and be the pain in the butt crazy patient !

buggirl72

**lurking**

Can you talk directly to your doctor?  You also might want to make sure your nurse realizes you are talking about DHEA and not DHA. 

My RE wanted me to start DHEA because it possibly might help with egg quality but he was very clear that it would be stopped if we ended up pregnant. There really is not good evidence that it actually helps - just some cases that it may have helped in. And you are past the point of helping egg quality.  

BootsOrHearts

I was told to stop DHEA during my 2ww and definitely stop during pregnancy. There is a rare but very serious birth defect that can be caused by the DHEA. What is the theraputic benefit to continuing to take it? If it was me, I'd ask for a 2nd opinion.

precious72381

buggirl72:

lurkingCan you talk directly to your doctor?nbsp; You also might want to make sure your nurse realizes you are talking about DHEA and not DHA.nbsp; My RE wanted me to start DHEA because it possibly might help with egg quality but he was very clear that it would be stopped if we ended up pregnant. There really is not good evidence that it actually helps just some cases that it may have helped in. And you are past the point of helping egg quality. nbsp;

Thanks! That is what I'm afraid, the nurse thought I said dha. I stopped again Saturday and will talk to them again Tuesday.

precious72381

BootsOrHearts:

I was told to stop DHEA during my 2ww and definitely stop during pregnancy. There is a rare but very serious birth defect that can be caused by the DHEA. What is the theraputic benefit to continuing to take it? If it was me, I'd ask for a 2nd opinion.

That is my understanding, the birth defect. I'm trying not to go against my doctors advice but this time, something doesn't seem right. Thanks for your reply!

Also, I don't understand any benefit. Studies aren't even sure if it helps quality and I was only on it for two months. I can't find any research that would indicate that it would be beneficial to continue at this point.

twotexans

My RE had me taking both DHEA and DHA, along with CoQ10, while TTC.  As soon as I was pregnant, my RE instructed me to stop both the DHEA and CoQ10.  I continued to take the DHA.

precious72381

Hanks everyone. I left a message at my RE office so hopefully they will call me tomorrow. Hope it didn't do any damage!!! Now I'm super worried!!!