DHEA-sulphate (DHEA-S)

Women: 2.7 to 9.2 umol/L · Men: 4.3 to 12.2 umol/L

It peaks in the twenties and falls steadily with age (for example women 2.7 to 9.2 umol/L in their late twenties but 1 to 7 in their late forties), so labs print age- and sex-banded ranges and the printed one is the one to use.

DHEA-sulphate is the most abundant steroid hormone in the blood, made almost entirely by the adrenal glands that sit above the kidneys. It is a weak male-type hormone that the body can convert to testosterone and oestrogen. Because it comes from the adrenals, it helps doctors work out where extra male-type hormone is coming from.

It is requested in women with excess hair growth, acne or irregular periods to tell adrenal from ovarian causes, in children with early puberty, and when adrenal gland conditions are being looked into. It appears on some private hormone panels.

• Polycystic ovary syndrome, slightly, in some women
• Inherited adrenal enzyme conditions (congenital adrenal hyperplasia)
• Adrenal tumours, rarely, where the level can be very high
• Cushing's syndrome of adrenal origin
• DHEA supplements, which are sold abroad and online
• Younger age, in the general population

• Older age, steadily, in the general population
• Steroid medicines such as prednisolone and dexamethasone
• Adrenal gland failure (Addison's disease) and pituitary failure
• Long-term illness
• The combined contraceptive pill, slightly

• It is stable through the day and the cycle, so an unexpected value is usually a real difference, but age alone explains most low values in people over fifty
• Steroid tablets, creams and inhalers lower it
• Different assays give different numbers at the top and bottom of the range

No fasting needed and time of day does not matter much, which is why it is preferred over plain DHEA. A single value is usually enough.

Written by a UK consultant physician. Typical UK adult reference ranges; your laboratory's own printed range takes precedence.