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Allergic Reaction to DHEA

Dear Dr. Kagen,

Right now I have swollen lips. My only suspect right now is the DHEA food supplement that I have been taking since last week. I wonder how it could be because I have been taking DHEA last year (until I run out of stock) and I felt no side effect from it.

Is it possible to become sensitized to a foreign substance such as DHEA. Do you know if the DHEA was a synthetic compound or was it from an animal source? This may be important if you have become allergic to an animal which was used to produce the substance labeled as DHEA.

Dear Ceasar,

It is possible to become allergic to foreign proteins and carbohydrates, including DHEA.

Our Allergy Resaerch Laboratory is able to determine if you are allergic to the DHEA by reacting the substance with a sample of your serum.

Be certain to let your doctor know about your condition. If your doctor would like us to study your serum, please have him/her send us a sample of your serum AND the DHEA that you suspect has caused your allergic reaction.

Food supplements are not regulated as of yet in the USA. For this reason it is difficult for the consumer to determine if the food "supplements" are safe yet alone effective in doing for humans what may be claimed.

Good luck. Hope to hear from your physician soon.

Steve Kagen, M.D.
Allernet.com