Synonyms

Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate

Clinical Indications

DHEA-S is useful in the diagnosis of a virilizing adrenal tumour and to monitor recurrence after surgical removal. It is of little value in the investigation of acne, idiopathic hirsuitism or infertility.
DHEA-S is the first adrenal androgen to show a significant increase at the onset of adrenarche and serum levels give an indication of the stage of development in children and may be useful in the investigation of delayed or precocious adrenarche / puberty.

Request Form

Combined Pathology Blood form (Yellow/Black)

Availability

Analysed by referral laboratory if specific criteria met.

Specific Criteria

Diagnosis / monitoring of virilizing adrenal tumour. Investigation of delayed or precocious adrenarche / puberty.

Turnaround Time

Two weeks

Specimen

Serum

Volume

1 ml

Container

Yellow top (SST) or Red top (Plain) tube.

Collection

After surgery samples should be taken as soon as practicable and at least every 2 months thereafter to monitor for recurrence.

Lab. Handling

Aliquot and freeze at minus 20’C. Send frozen in transport box to local referral laboratory. (DHEA & send; NODH & save)

Causes for Rejection

Not meeting specific criteria for analysis. Unlabelled sample. Collected into EDTA or heparin tube.

Reference Range

Age
Pre-pubertal
20 to 29 years
30 to 39 years
40 to 49 years
50 to 59 years
60 to 69 years
Over 70 years
Post-menopausal

DHEA-S (umol/L)
Female
<0.50
1.76 - 10.31
1.22 - 7.33
0.87 - 6.51
0.71 - 5.43
0.35 - 3.53
0.46 - 2.44
0.27 - 5.16

DHEA-S (umol/L)
Male
<0.05
7.6 - 17.37
3.26 - 14.11
2.58 - 14.38
1.90 - 8.41
1.14 - 7.87
0.76 - 4.75
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