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DHEA Sulfate Level

DHEA-S, Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, DHEA Sulfate Level (Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate)

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB5807, Beaker: DHEAS, Antrim: 17153

Department

Chemistry

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One Gold-top SST tube. (Minimum Whole Blood: 2.0 mL)

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F) the centrifuged collection tube within two hours of collection. (Minimum Serum: 0.5 mL)

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Centrifuged collection tube, refrigerated (2-8 °C or 36-46 °F). (Minimum Serum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Plasma specimens.
• Severely lipemic, icteric, or grossly hemolyzed specimens.

In-Lab Processing

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Room temperature is acceptable for a maximum of two hours. (Minimum Serum: 0.5 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Centrifuged SST Tubes and Microtainers^® with Separator Gels
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Red-top Tubes and Microtainers^® without Separator Gels
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Serum Specimens (Pour-Overs)
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 2 months

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Royal Oak Automated Chemistry Laboratory

Performed

Monday – Friday.
Results available within 2 business days.

Reference Range

Females: 30-512 micrograms/dL.
Males: 49-592 micrograms/dL.

Test Methodology

Chemiluminescent Immunoassay.

Interpretation

Pregnancy and oral contraceptives induce a moderate decrease in DHEA-SO₄ levels.

DHEA-SO₄ is often assayed in conjunction with free testosterone as an initial screen for hyperandrogenism in hirsutism. At least one of these two hormones is likely to be elevated in 80 percent of these cases. Sometimes DHEA-SO₄ is the only hormone circulating at elevated levels, and is more likely to be elevated during the early stages of hirsutism than most other androgens.

High DHEA-SO₄ levels are often encountered in the polycystic ovary syndrome.

Elevated plasma levels which are dexamethasome-suppressible may also result from adrenal hyperplasia. Extremely high levels (greater than 700 or 800 micrograms/dL) in women are suggestive of a hormone-secreting adrenal tumor. DHEA-SO₄ levels are usually normal in the presence of ovarian tumors.

Clinical Utility

Measurement of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-SO₄, DHEAS), an adrenal steroid, is important in the investigation of abnormal hair growth (hirsutism) and balding (alopecia) in women. It is also of value in the assessment of adrenarche and delayed puberty.

CPT Codes

82627

Contacts

Last Updated

11/11/2023