DHEA‐S (DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULFATE)
DHEA‐S (DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULFATE)
Description:
The DHEA‐S Test helps in evaluating your adrenal gland function. Your adrenal glands are two small pieces of tissue that sit atop each kidney. They produce and release certain regulatory hormones and chemical messengers, one of which is Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate or DHEA‐S for short. It’s a natural steroid hormone produced from cholesterol and it purpose is to serve as a precursor to male and female sex hormones. This hormone is also associated with immune and stress response.
Results will depend on sex, age, and other disorders that you may already have.
Why Do I Need It?:
Some research indicates that DHEA‐S may cause higher than normal levels of androgens and estrogens (sex hormones) in the body, and may increase your risk of prostate, breast, ovarian, and other hormone‐sensitive cancers.
Test Details:
Normal Range:
| Age Range | Men | Women |
| 18-29 | 110-510 | 45-320 |
| 30-39 | 110-370 | 40-325 |
| 40-49 | 45-345 | 25-220 |
| 50-59 | 25-240 | 15-170 |
| 60-69 | 25-95 | <=185 |
| 70-90 | >=75 | <= 90 |
High Results Indicate:
Elevated results could indicate congenital adrenal hyperplasia, adrenal cancer, or Cushing’s disease. Elevated levels of DHEA‐S are not used to diagnose a specific condition; it usually indicates that further testing is needed to find the cause of the hormone imbalance.
Low Results Indicate:
Low levels of DHEA‐S could indicate Addison’s disease or adrenal hypoplasia.
What Type of Physician Should You See?
With abnormal levels of DHEA‐S, seeing your primary care physician is the first step. You may need a referral to an endocrinologist after further testing.