DHEA Sulfate Level
DHEA-S, Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, DHEA Sulfate Level (Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate)
Test Codes
EPIC: LAB524, Beaker: DHEAS, Antrim: 17153, MAYO: LAB1231614-Lab Only
Department
Toxicology
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
Automated Chemistry Laboratory – RO
248-551-8065
Name: Automated Chemistry Laboratory – RO
Location:
Phone: 248-551-8065
Last Updated
7/21/2024
Microtainer® and Vacutainer® are registered trademarks of Becton, Dickinson and Company.
UroVysion® is a registered trademark of Abbott Laboratories. ThinPrep® is a registered trademark of Hologic, Incorporated.