DHEA Sulfate Test
Reviewed
Also called: DHEAS, DHEA-S, DHEA, DHEA-SO4, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate
This test measures the levels of DHEA sulfate (DHEAS) in your blood. DHEAS stands for dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate.
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
You don't need any special preparations for a DHEA sulfate test.
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
Understanding results
To understand the results of a DHEA sulfate test, your provider will consider your symptoms, age, sex, medical history, and the results of other blood tests.
- High DHEAS: If your results show high levels of DHEAS, it may be a sign of the following conditions: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, an inherited disorder of the adrenal glands in which the adrenal glands produce too many male sex hormones. A tumor of the adrenal gland. It may be benign (noncancerous) or cancerous. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In rare cases, a high level of DHEAS could be a sign of an ovarian tumor. Limitation: Your DHEAS levels peak around puberty and then get lower as you age. Next step: To understand the results of a DHEA sulfate test, your provider will consider your symptoms, age, sex, medical history, and the results of other blood tests.
- Low DHEAS: If your results show low levels of DHEAS, it may be a sign of the following conditions: Addison disease. Addison disease is a disorder in which the adrenal glands are not able to make enough of certain hormones. Hypopituitarism, a condition in which the pituitary gland does not make enough of one or more of the pituitary hormones. Limitation: Your DHEAS levels peak around puberty and then get lower as you age. Next step: If you have questions about your results, talk to your provider.
- 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.
- DHEAS levels peak around puberty and then get lower with age, so results are compared with ranges for your age and sex.
What to do next
If you have questions about your results, talk to your provider. If you have questions about DHEA supplements, talk to your provider.
- What do my DHEAS results mean for my health?
- Do I need any other tests to find the cause?
- Could any medicines or supplements I take affect my results?
- Should I take DHEA supplements?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.