Skip to page content

We use cookies to provide you with a better service. Carry on browsing if you’re happy with this or read more about our cookie policy and privacy policy.

Dismiss

DHEAS (Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate)

Chemical Pathology

Notes

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) is an androgen primarily produced by the adrenal cortex, with only small amounts produced by the ovaries in women and testes in men. DHEAS provides an assessment of adrenal function and is indicated in:

  • Investigation of suspected androgen excess (clinical signs of hyperandrogenism; presence of adrenal mass on scan; suspected Cushings).
  • Follow up of significantly raised testosterone levels (which have been confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry) in a woman (may be associated with evidence of rapid onset hirsuitism or signs of virilisation and amenorrhoea).
  • Investigation of ambiguous genitalia in neonates.

DHEAS levels are usually normal or minimally elevated in PCOS as androgen production is ovarian in origin which is mainly testosterone.

DHEAS is not useful for investigation of precocious puberty.

Sample requirements

For adults, blood taken into a 5mL gold top tube (or rust top for the Acute Unit)

5ml gold tube





For children, blood taken into a 3.5mL rust top tube

3.5ml rust top tube





For neonates, blood taken into a 1mL plain tube

1ml serum tube













Storage/transport

Do not store. Send at ambient temperature to the laboratory on the day of sample collection.

Required information

Relevant clinical details including reason for the request, time of cycle.

Turnaround times

Samples are sent for analysis to King's College Hospital, London with results expected back within 3 weeks.

Reference ranges

Female reference ranges

Age Reference Range Units
< 1 week 2.93 - 16.5 µmol/L
1 - 4 weeks 0.86 - 11.7 µmol/L
4 weeks - 1 year 0.09 - 3.35 µmol/L
1 - 5 years 0.01 - 0.53 µmol/L
5 - 10 years 0.08 - 2.31 µmol/L
10 - 15 years 0.92 - 7.60 µmol/L
15 - 20 years 1.77 - 9.99 µmol/L
20 - 25 years 4.02 - 11.0 µmol/L
25 - 35 years 2.68 - 9.23 µmol/L
35 - 45 years 1.65 - 9.15 µmol/L
45 - 55 years 0.96 - 6.95 µmol/L
55 - 65 years 0.51 - 5.56 µmol/L
65 - 75 years 0.26 - 6.68 µmol/L
> 75 years 0.33 - 4.18 µmol/L

Male Reference Ranges

Age Reference Range Units
< 1 week 2.93 - 16.5 µmol/L
1 - 4 weeks 0.86 - 11.7 µmol/L
4 weeks - 1 year 0.09 - 3.35 µmol/L
1 - 5 years 0.01 - 0.53 µmol/L
5 - 10 years 0.08 - 2.31 µmol/L
10 - 15 years 0.66 - 6.70 µmol/L
15 - 20 years 1.91 - 13.40 µmol/L
20 - 25 years 5.73 - 13.40 µmol/L
25 - 35 years 4.34 - 12.20 µmol/L
35 - 45 years 2.41 - 11.60 µmol/L
45 - 55 years 1.20 - 8.98 µmol/L
55 - 65 years 1.40 - 8.01 µmol/L
65- 75 years 0.91 - 6.76 µmol/L
> 75 years 0.44 - 3.34 µmol/L

Further information

To learn more about DHEAS visit Lab Tests Online

For healthcare professionals, access Endobible for useful clinical guidelines

Page last updated 05/02/2019

Back to top