[Lotus]

No joe, minimango's DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) is high. DHEA sulfate is produced in the adrenals and is an androgen...it can be converted into testosterone and androstenedione. It's possible your pituitary is over stimulating your adrenals. If you notice signs of fatigue, weight gain or depression I'd speak with your doctor about your DHEA-S being elevated. 

DHEA can complicate other hormones and daily functions in your life too if it's not properly balanced.

Hi Lotus, 

Thank you for your response! I've been lurking on your threads for a good while, I really appreciate the level of research you provide! 

You're welcome  glad I can be of help. 

There was a range included, but my doctor told me many of the reference ranges aren't specific for biological women (includes hormone data from bio men). Which is why I'm wondering where I can find ranges that are specific to bio women.

I don't buy the doctors claim   Wikipedia has standard reference ranges, LabCorp, or other online labs, Endocrinologist, fertility clinics, etc-etc have reference ranges available online, even government agencies have them posted (for male & female ranges) one just has to look for themselves.

I've struggled with mood swings, hair loss, and fatigue-- the hair loss and fatigue has improved a lot with NBE, but I still have mood swings. I think a lot of my hormonal problems were brought on by having an eating disorder for 4 years (I've been recovering for 3 years now), but I've also struggled with being a stressed out person since I was 14. Do you know what might lead to the elevated DHEA-S? Could it be the stress?

Stress could be a factor driven by high cortisol. Systemic inflammation is behind many disease states in our body…(low DHEA-S is seen with having Lupus or chronic fatigue syndrome). So getting a DHEA-S test is what I recommend too. But you could treat this like you have PCOS, because high DHEA-S presents with the same systems of PCOS. Stress (as an increase in adrenals which boosts testosterone) can wipe out a person's ability to cope with stress pushing you into emotional eating (binge eating) and other bad habits too.

Or, it could be something as simple as your pituitary gland does not make enough pituitary hormones. Which is why you see big fluctuations in your hormones. 

Another note: I grew several cup sizes last summer into fall, but my growth has stagnated and even regressed a little since November. This really sucks. Granted, I haven't been eating as much or been as consistent with my herbs and I've also struggled with a depressed mood from time to time (though I wouldn't describe this as full on depression). How can I go back to growing?

Wow, that's a huge swing of breast growth did you retain that growth? 

How can I go back to growing?

Work on developing healthy eating habits (limit carbs to no more 15-20 per day)

Add protein to match your bmi, use online calculator guides 

Practice yoga (or something similar) just be active and you'll get there 

Do daily breast massages  

What vitamins do you take?

Do you have a nbe program?