Laboratory Medicine Program

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate
(DHEA-S)

Clinical Decription:
Measurement of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-SO4), an adrenal steroid, is important to investigations of abnormal hair growth (hirsutism) and balding (alopecia) in women. It is also of value in the assessment of adrenarche and delayed puberty. The DHEA-SO4 in circulation originates almost entirely from the adrenals, though in men some may also derive from the testes, partly accounting for the sex difference which emerges at about age. On the other hand, this hormone is not produced by the ovaries even under pathological conditions. In itself, DHEA-SO4 is only weakly androgenic, but it can metabolize to more potent androgens like androstenedione and testosterone, and thus be indirectly a cause of hirsutism or virilization. High DHEA-SO4 levels are often encountered in the polycystic ovary syndrome, showing that adrenal hyperandrogenism is a fairly typical facet of this syndrome. Elevated plasma levels, which - over the course of two weeks or so - are dexamethasone-suppressible may also result from adrenal hyperplasia. Extremely high levels (greater than 700 or800 ug/dl) in women are suggestive of a hormone-secreting adrenal tumor. (See package insert for more information).

Method: Chemiluminometric technology

Component Tests Used: n/a

Reference Ranges Used:
Female: Age 15-19 : 1.7-13.4| Age 20-24 : 3.6-11.1| Age 25-34 : 2.6-13.9| Age 35-44 : 2-11.1| Age 45-54 : 1.5-7.7 | Age 55-64 : 0.8-4.9| Age 65-70 : 0.9-2.1| Male: Age 15-19 : 1.2-10.4| Age 20-24 : 6.5-14.6 | Age 25-34 : 4.6-16.1| Age 35-44 : 3.8-13.1| Age 45-54 : 3.7-12.1 | Age 55-64 : 1.3-9.8| Age 65-70 : 6.2-7.7

Specimen Type: serum
Volume: 3 mL (minimum: 1 mL)

Shipping: Frozen at -20C

Special Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot sample.

Testing Schedule(s): Monday to Friday 9 am to 2 pm .

Turnaround Time: 1 day

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For more information, call 416.340.5227 or 1.866.865.5227

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