A male reader recently wrote Dr. Stanton for advice on DHEA and how to help his energy levels.

Q. I’ve started taking DHEA. I used to take 7 keto DHEA and it helped me get rid of ice cold feet…so I figured it helped my thyroid. I don’t feel the energy effects of co enzyme q 10 anymore. What could be my problem? Also brisk 20 minute walks are not helping my energy anymore, do you have any suggestions that would be helpful thru your newsletters for men?

A. The 7-keto DHEA you have been taking may be helping you by supporting your adrenal glands. Your adrenal glands produce DHEA and cortisol which are part of your “fight or flight” response. I you have had stressors of any kind (emotional, physical such as an injury or surgery, food allergy, etc) it can tax your adrenal glands. This can produce fatigue, difficulty concentrating, weight gain, low libido and a number of other symptoms. Your adrenal and thyroid glands are closely connected so, by supporting your adrenals, you may have helped your thyroid which would have improved your cold feet.

The reason the CoQ10 and brisk walks may no longer be “working” is that your adrenals may need even more support. I would encourage you to continue the CoQ10 and walks. However, you may want to consider hormone testing to evaluate your adrenals (www.ZRTLab.com) and see if they need more support.

Sincerely,
Alicia Stanton, MD

If you have a hormone health question for Dr. Stanton, email [email protected].

Thyroid hormone is important for our metabolism and energy levels. If you have a deficiency in thyroid you may experience fatigue, foggy thinking and weight gain. Some estimates say one in seven adults have a thyroid deficiency, yet they are often missed. Treatment for low thyroid involves nutrition, including adequate selenium, vitamin A and iodine, and hormone therapy if needed.

You also need to make sure the adrenal glands are functioning properly; otherwise treating the thyroid without addressing an adrenal problem will make you feel worse. Adrenal fatigue results from a long period of stress, which depletes the adrenals of normal cortisol production. Treatment for adrenal fatigue includes getting enough sleep, getting back on track nutritionally, decreasing sources of stress, and for extreme cases, bioidentical cortisol in the short term.