Thyroid Research and Practice

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) deficiency is a common but under diagnosed cause of asthenia. The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of DHEA-S deficiency in hypothyroidism, its clinical correlates, and the effect of DHEA supplementation in these patients. consecutive well-controlled hypothyroid patients, complaining 'asthenia' for ii month were assessed for DHEA-S levels. Patients with low DHEA-S or with levels in the lower quartile of normal were supplemented with oral DHEA. Monthly follow-up was done to assess biochemical and clinical results, aiming for a DHEA-S level in the upper half of normal range. out of 72 patients had DHEA-S deficiency. The average dose of DHEA required to correct DHEA-S levels at 6 months was 18.75 ± 6.30mg/day. 82.60% patients reported marked improvement while 8.69% felt fair improvement in their symptoms with DHEA supplementation. There was no change in thyroxine dose requirement. A significant number of patients felt improvement in Libido (62.50%) and erectile function (25.0%). 8.71% dropped out due to various side effects. To conclude, DHEA-S deficiency is an easily treatable cause of asthenia in hypothyroidism.