Weight gain and DHEA

I have taken DHEA and have not ever noticed a change in weight but I was only taking double the dose listed on the bottle, and I know that many transmen who transition naturally say that it requires several times that much to actually work. (I know many bodybuilding supplements actually also require a much higher dose than that listed on the bottle).

If you are having any kind of weird changes like that, you need to get a blood test to check your thyroid levels. One of the main things that DHEA can impact is the thyroid. I know you are aware of the dangers and I am not telling you to stop taking it as long as that test comes back normal. Insurance will cover the test and it WON'T raise any red flags as this is a very normal test to have done and doesn't have anything to do with transition.

One other thing that I can mention to you is that if you wanna transition there are other things you can take such as testosterone boosters and the like which are sold at GNC and other supplement stores. Those would probably be more effective, especially if your thyroid is normal and you combine them with DHEA. less

I have taken DHEA and have not ever noticed a change in weight but I was only taking double the dose listed on the bottle, and I know that many transmen who transition naturally say that it requires several times that much to actually work. (I know many bodybuilding supplements actually also require a much higher dose than that listed on the bottle).

If you are having any kind of weird changes like that, you need to get a blood test to check your thyroid levels. One of the main things that DHEA can impact is the thyroid. I know you are aware of the dangers and I am not telling you to stop taking it as long as that test comes back normal. Insurance will cover the test and it WON'T raise any red flags as this is a very normal test to have done and doesn't have anything to do with transition.

One other thing that I can mention to you is that if you wanna transition there are other things you can take such as testosterone boosters and the like which are sold at GNC and other supplement stores. Those would probably be more effective, especially if your thyroid is normal and you combine them with DHEA. less

You should keep in mind that those boosters are marketed to and developed for people with testicles. For those whose bodies are naturally estrogen dominant, such as trans men, they are going to do little to nothing. It'd be better to save your money for transition costs. If you feel you have to take them then always consult with a doctor first. less

So I know DHEA is supposed to "help increase weight loss," but for me I feel like it's the opposite, or at least in quite a few ways??

I feel like when I'm on DHEA my face gets super skinny; otherwise it has some roundness to it.

I also feel like when I'm on it I gain a lot of stomach weight, but not really too much anywhere else in my body.

Does anyone else notice weight redistribution like this? I feel like it happens super fast for me, like within only a week or two I'll have a suddenly super skinny face and a belly even when I work out a lot/ can't get rid of it while I'm on DHEA, then when I go off I go back to how I used to be.

Also, I realize all the ~dangers~ of DHEA/ "you should just wait to get on T"/ etc. I have insurance, but live with my family/ thus can't transition and the insurance is through my dad's company and he's super intolerant, so I can't exactly ask him for help. I also don't entirely use DHEA for "transitioning reasons." I feel like it makes my mood better as well; I intended to start this thread to ask about your experiences of DHEA and weight gain/ weight redistribution, not for a lecture about ~health dangers~ less