DHEAS
At a Glance
Why Get Tested?
DHEAS is measured to evaluate adrenal function and certain adrenal tumours, and to investigate the cause of virilisation in girls or early puberty in boys.
When to Get Tested?
The measurement of DHEAS is used very infrequently in the UK as it has been found that other tests are more helpful. A doctor may measure DHEAS in a woman who has excess facial and body hair (hirsutism), acne, amenorrhea, or infertility; and more rarely in a male child who is undergoing very early (precocious) puberty or a female child who is showing signs of virilisation.
It is sometimes used in the investigation of Cushing’s syndrome to help differentiate an adrenal tumour from adrenal carcinoma.
Sample Required?
A blood sample taken from a vein in your arm
Test Preparation Needed?
No test preparation is needed
The Test Sample
What is being tested?
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate (DHEAS) is a weak androgen, a male sex hormone, that is present in the blood of both men and women. It has a role to play in developing male secondary sexual characteristics at puberty, and it can be changed by the body into stronger androgens, such as testosterone and androstenedione, or can be changed into the female hormone oestrogen. DHEAS is produced by the adrenal cortex, the outer layer of the adrenal glands, with much smaller amounts being produced by the woman's ovaries and man's testes. DHEAS secretion is controlled by the pituitary hormone adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and by other pituitary factors.
Since DHEAS is primarily produced by the adrenal glands, it is useful as a marker for adrenal function. Adrenal cancers, and hyperplasia can lead to the overproduction of DHEAS but is frequently inappropriately low when an adrenal tumour is present. While elevated concentrations may not be noticed in adult men, they can lead to amenorrhoea and visible symptoms of virilization in women. These changes vary in severity and may include:
- a deeper voice
- hirsutism (increased facial and/or body hair)
- male pattern baldness
- increased muscularity
- acne
- enlargement of the Adam’s apple
DHEAS has been found not to be useful in the investigation of precocious puberty.
High concentrations of DHEAS may occur in female babies with ambiguous genitalia where the clitoris is enlarged and there may be some fusion of the labia. This condition is due to an enzyme deficiency in the adrenal gland.
How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm.
NOTE: If undergoing medical tests makes you or someone you care for anxious, embarrassed, or even difficult to manage, you might consider reading one or more of the following articles: Coping with Test Pain, Discomfort, and Anxiety, Tips on Blood Testing, Tips to Help Children through Their Medical Tests, and Tips to Help the Elderly through Their Medical Tests.
Another article, Follow That Sample, provides a glimpse at the collection and processing of a blood sample and throat culture.
Is any test preparation needed to ensure the quality of the sample?
No test preparation is needed.
The Test
How is it used?
DHEAS concentrations are not routinely measured. Unless you have symptoms that warrant its use, you will most likely never have a DHEAS test done. DHEAS can be measured to help distinguish adrenocortical tumours (tumours in the cortex of the adrenal gland) from adrenal cancers, and adrenal hyperplasia (which may be congenitalor adult onset).
Concentrations of DHEAS may occasionally be measured, along with other hormones such as FSH, LH, prolactin, oestrogen, and testosterone, to help diagnose polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and to help rule out other causes of infertility, amenorrhea, and hirsutism.
DHEAS concentrations may be requested in the investigation of ambiguous genitalia in babies to investigate the presence of an enzyme disorder. It may also be measured in boys showing early puberty.
When is it requested?
A DHEAS test may be requested with other hormone tests when excess androgen production is suspected.
It may be measured when a woman presents with symptoms such as: hirsutism, alopecia,amenorrhea, infertility, acne, increased muscularity, and decreased breast size.
DHEAS concentrations may be used in the investigation of ambiguous genitalia in babies to investigate the presence of an enzyme disorder. If an enzyme deficiency is present that causes increased DHEAS the hormone may be requested to monitor treatment. It may also be requested in young girls showing signs of virilisation or in boys with early puberty.
What does the test result mean?
Low concentrations of DHEAS may be due to adrenal dysfunction or hypopituitarism - a condition that causes decreased levels of the pituitary hormones that regulate the production and secretion of adrenal hormones. Normal DHEAS concentrations, along with normal concentrations of other androgens, may indicate that the adrenal gland is functioning normally or (more rarely) that an adrenal tumour or cancer present is not secreting hormones. Normal concentrations of DHEAS are frequently seen with PCOS, as this disorder is usually related to ovarian androgen production (primarily testosterone).
Elevated concentrations of DHEAS may indicate an adrenal cancer, or adrenal hyperplasia. Increased concentrations of DHEAS are not diagnostic of a specific condition; they usually indicate the need for further testing to pinpoint the cause of the hormone imbalance.
Is there anything else I should know?
DHEAS concentrations are normally high in both male and female newborns. They drop sharply shortly after birth, then rise again during puberty. DHEAS concentrations peak between the ages of 18 to 30 years and then slowly decline with age.
People taking DHEA supplements will have elevated blood concentrations of DHEAS.
Common Questions
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Article Sources
NOTE: This article is based on research that utilizes the sources cited here as well as the collective experience of the Lab Tests Online Editorial Review Board. This article is periodically reviewed by the Editorial Board and may be updated as a result of the review. Any new sources cited will be added to the list and distinguished from the original sources used.
