Posted by AndrewB on June 15, 2001, at 10:06:07
In reply to Re: Taking DHEA an Anti-Depressant, posted by Bill L on June 12, 2001, at 7:45:46
Anthony,
DHEA can be an effective AD for some, especially those with midlife onset of either depression or dysthymia which will have the prominant symptoms of lack of motivation and anhedonia.
That being said, DHEA converts into sex hormones and therefore excessive dosages can have unpleasent and even dangerous side effects. It is safe however if taken in the proper dosage.
The only way to tell what the proper dosage for you is (and whether you need to take it at all) is to get a blood test. Search my previous posts on this subject for details on taking and interpreting the blood tests (many doctors misinterpret the blood tests).
BTW: 7-keto is a wonderful and very safe analogue of DHEA that protects the hippocampus from damage due to excessive cortisol (common in depressives) and often increases ones sense of energy. However since it does not convert to sex hormones, it likely does not have the AD potential of DHEA.
AndrewB
poster:AndrewB
thread:65458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010612/msgs/66550.html