MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: DHEA-sulfate

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DHEA-sulfate - serum

Contents of this page:
Alternative names Definition How the test is performed How to prepare for the test How the test will feel	Why the test is performed Normal Values What abnormal results mean What the risks are Special considerations

Alternative names

Serum DHEA-sulfate

Definition Return to top

DHEA-sulfate blood test measures the amount of DHEA-sulfate in the blood.

How the test is performed Return to top

Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and an elastic band is placed around the upper arm to cause the vein to swell with blood.

A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the band is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

In infants or young children:
The area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding.

How to prepare for the test Return to top

No special preparation is necessary.

In infants and children:
The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age, previous experiences, and level of trust. For general information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following:

Infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
Toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
Preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
Schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
Adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)

How the test will feel Return to top

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Why the test is performed Return to top

This test is used to evaluate the function of the adrenal glands. DHEA-sulfate is a weak androgen (male hormone) that is produced by the adrenal cortex in both men and women. The adrenal gland is one of the major sources of androgens in women, the other being the ovaries which produce testosterone.

DHEA-S is measured in women exhibiting symptoms of virilism (male body characteristics) or hirsutism (excessive hair growth). It is also in children with precocious puberty.

Normal Values Return to top

Normal values for serum DHEA sulfate vary with sex and age. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories.

Typical normal ranges for females:

18-29 Years: 62-615 ug/dL
30-39 Years: 52-400 ug/dL
40-49 Years: 44-352 ug/dL
50-59 Years: 39-183 ug/dL
60 Years or older: 11-150 ug/dL

Typical normal ranges for males:

18-30 Years 125-619 ug/dL
31-50 Years: 59-452 ug/dL
51-60 Years: 20-413 ug/dL
61-83 Years: 10-285 ug/dL

Note: ug/dL = microgram per deciliter

What abnormal results mean Return to top

DHEA-S increased by:

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Adrenal carcinoma
Virilizing tumors of the adrenals

What the risks are Return to top

Excessive bleeding
Fainting or feeling light-headed
Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
Multiple punctures to locate veins

Special considerations Return to top

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Update Date: 9/2/2004

Updated by: Specific sections updated by Todd T. Brown, M.D., Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Previously reviewed by Tarun Jain, M.D., Endocrinology & Infertility Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. (2/2/2004)

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