So I have a history of chronic overtraining and undereating/dieting.
I had bloods taken a few years ago and my DHEAs was super high, with my other hormones “normal” but I had no health issues
my next blood test my DHEAs plummeted and was on the borderline low end almost out of range. Along with low test and other hormones (but still in reference range).
now at this point I realised I’m doing damage with all the dieting and training (6 days a week to failure, never take time off) and I’m starting to piece together why I’m chronically stressed, depressed and anxious with little motivation other than to train (yes obsessive).
I started a proper bulk and gained around 25lbs, felt better but definitely not optimal. My bloods again showed low DHEA, slightly higher test but a lot higher estrogen (probably because I was higher BF%). Though I had a sex drive at this point, but still lacked motivation.
I did another cut, lost the 25lbs and got the most shredded I’ve ever been (easy6/7% bf), was doing loads of cardio, had an active job and a pretty big calorie deficit. I felT like garbage but looked great in the gym with a pump.
now, fast forward I thought this is enough I want to bulk and start to improve my health. I’m still very lean (I always have been), have gained maybe 4-5lbs, and have been eating 3500-4000 a day, 500g carbs and high protein. (Some days like 250 because I love protein foods lol). i have been feeling higher energy (but still no sex drive or motivation), and my current bloods are floored.
All my hormones are low and out of range, thyroid, test, estrogen, LH, DHEAs... but my cortisol is on the higher end. I have realised my HPA is shot and have cut back on the workout volume hoping to recover, but my question is will my DHEA ever fully recover now it’s completely drained?
I am focusing on DHEA because I know it’s important for antagonising cortisol and being stress resilient. That’s my main concern, I can’t handle any stress anymore without side effects. I feel like my test/thyroid will increase as my chronic stress decreases, but can DHEA ever recover to youthful levels?
do I just need to keep eating, stop training as much? I am considering taking low dose DHEA but I’m concerned it’ll just be converted to estrogen
I had bloods taken a few years ago and my DHEAs was super high, with my other hormones “normal” but I had no health issues
my next blood test my DHEAs plummeted and was on the borderline low end almost out of range. Along with low test and other hormones (but still in reference range).
now at this point I realised I’m doing damage with all the dieting and training (6 days a week to failure, never take time off) and I’m starting to piece together why I’m chronically stressed, depressed and anxious with little motivation other than to train (yes obsessive).
I started a proper bulk and gained around 25lbs, felt better but definitely not optimal. My bloods again showed low DHEA, slightly higher test but a lot higher estrogen (probably because I was higher BF%). Though I had a sex drive at this point, but still lacked motivation.
I did another cut, lost the 25lbs and got the most shredded I’ve ever been (easy6/7% bf), was doing loads of cardio, had an active job and a pretty big calorie deficit. I felT like garbage but looked great in the gym with a pump.
now, fast forward I thought this is enough I want to bulk and start to improve my health. I’m still very lean (I always have been), have gained maybe 4-5lbs, and have been eating 3500-4000 a day, 500g carbs and high protein. (Some days like 250 because I love protein foods lol). i have been feeling higher energy (but still no sex drive or motivation), and my current bloods are floored.
All my hormones are low and out of range, thyroid, test, estrogen, LH, DHEAs... but my cortisol is on the higher end. I have realised my HPA is shot and have cut back on the workout volume hoping to recover, but my question is will my DHEA ever fully recover now it’s completely drained?
I am focusing on DHEA because I know it’s important for antagonising cortisol and being stress resilient. That’s my main concern, I can’t handle any stress anymore without side effects. I feel like my test/thyroid will increase as my chronic stress decreases, but can DHEA ever recover to youthful levels?
do I just need to keep eating, stop training as much? I am considering taking low dose DHEA but I’m concerned it’ll just be converted to estrogen