DHEA-S
An adrenal hormone that serves as a reservoir for making androgens and estrogens.
| Typical reference range (male) | 80–560 ug/dL |
| Typical reference range (female) | 35–430 ug/dL |
Ranges vary by laboratory, method, age and sex: always use the range printed on your own report. Why labs differ.
What it measures
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate is produced almost entirely by the adrenal glands. It is a precursor that tissues convert into testosterone and estrogens, and its stable sulfate form makes it a good marker of adrenal androgen output.
Why it matters
DHEA-S helps evaluate adrenal function and androgen excess in women (hirsutism, acne, PCOS). Levels peak in the 20s and fall steadily with age; low levels have been associated with frailty and poorer health in observational studies.
What a high result can mean
High levels occur with PCOS, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, adrenal tumors, DHEA supplementation and Cushing's disease.
What a low result can mean
Low levels occur with aging, adrenal insufficiency, hypopituitarism, glucocorticoid medication (which suppresses adrenal androgen production), chronic illness and oral contraceptives.
What affects the result
Strongly age- and sex-dependent; ranges shown are approximate for adults aged about 20-50, and older adults have substantially lower normal values. Little daily variation, so timing matters less than for cortisol. DHEA supplements raise it.
Units and conversion
Usually reported in ug/dL.
- From umol/L: multiply by 36.85 to get ug/dL
- From ng/mL: multiply by 0.1 to get ug/dL
Also called on lab reports
DHEA Sulfate, DHEA-Sulfate, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate, DHEAS, DHEA-Sulfate, Serum, DHEA-SO4
Related tests: Adrenal & Pituitary
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a healthcare professional.