DHEA Sulfate Test
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Also called: DHEAS, DHEA-S, DHEA, DHEA-SO4, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate
A DHEA sulfate test measures the level of DHEAS in the blood to check adrenal gland function and diagnose related disorders.
Specimen: Blood
Why this test may be ordered
- To find out if your adrenal glands are working well
- To diagnose tumors of the adrenal glands
- To diagnose disorders of the testicles or ovaries
- To find the cause of early or late puberty in boys
- To look for the cause of masculine features in women and girls (e.g., excess body hair, deepening voice)
Preparation and collection
No special preparation is needed.
A blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm.
There is very little risk. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
Understanding results
This test measures the level of DHEA sulfate (DHEAS) in your blood. DHEAS is a hormone made mostly by the adrenal glands. The test helps evaluate adrenal gland function, diagnose tumors or disorders of the adrenal glands, testicles, or ovaries, and investigate early or late puberty or masculine features in women.
- High DHEAS: Higher-than-normal DHEAS levels might indicate: congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a tumor of the adrenal gland (benign or cancerous), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or, in rare cases, an ovarian tumor. Limitation: Your healthcare provider will interpret these results together with your symptoms, age, sex, medical history, and other test results. Next step: Your provider may recommend further testing to identify the cause of high DHEAS.
- Low DHEAS: Low DHEAS levels may be a sign of Addison disease or hypopituitarism. Limitation: Your healthcare provider will interpret these results together with your symptoms, age, sex, medical history, and other test results. Next step: Your provider may recommend further testing to identify the cause of low DHEAS.
- Your results are interpreted together with your symptoms, age, sex, medical history, and other blood tests. The test does not diagnose a condition on its own.
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What to do next
Your healthcare provider will interpret the results together with your symptoms, age, sex, medical history, and other test results. No special preparation is needed. Over-the-counter DHEA supplements are not supported by reliable evidence and may cause serious side effects.
- What is a DHEA sulfate test?
- What is it used for?
- Why do I need a DHEA sulfate test?
- What happens during a DHEA sulfate test?
- Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test? Are there any risks to the test? What do the results mean? Is there anything else I need to know?