Home
HelpTest Code DHEA_ Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), Serum
Reporting Name
Dehydroepiandrosterone, SUseful For
Diagnosing and differential diagnosis of hyperandrogenism (in conjunction with measurements of other sex steroids)
As an initial screen in adults with bioavailable testosterone measurement that may be supplemented with measurements of sex hormone-binding globulin and occasionally other androgenic steroids (eg, 17-hydroxyprogesterone), depending on results
An adjunct in the diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH); DHEA/DHEAS measurements play a secondary role to the measurements of cortisol/cortisone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, and androstenedione
Diagnosing and differential diagnosis of premature adrenarche
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
Serum RedNecessary Information
Patient's age and sex are required.
Specimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube: Red top (serum gel/SST are not acceptable)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum to a plastic vial.
Additional Information: Requests for this test cannot be added to a previously received specimen.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum Red | Frozen (preferred) | 28 days | |
| Refrigerated | 21 days | ||
| Ambient | 6 hours |
Special Instructions
Reference Values
Premature: <40 ng/mL*
0-1 day: <11 ng/mL*
2-6 days: <8.7 ng/mL*
7 days-1 month: <5.8 ng/mL*
>1-23 months: <2.9 ng/mL*
2-5 years: <2.3 ng/mL
6-10 years: <3.4 ng/mL
11-14 years: <5.0 ng/mL
15-18 years: <6.6 ng/mL
19-30 years: <13 ng/mL
31-40 years: <10 ng/mL
41-50 years: <8.0 ng/mL
51-60 years: <6.0 ng/mL
≥61 years: <5.0 ng/mL
*Source: Dehydroepiandrosterone. In: Soldin SJ, Brugnara C, Wong Ed, eds. Pediatric Reference Ranges. 5th ed. AACC Press; 2005:75
For International System of Units (SI) conversion for Reference Values, see www.mayocliniclabs.com/order-tests/si-unit-conversion.html
Day(s) Performed
Monday, Thursday
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
82626
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| DHEA_ | Dehydroepiandrosterone, S | 2193-1 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 81405 | Dehydroepiandrosterone, S | 2193-1 |
Interpretation
Elevated dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)/dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels indicate increased adrenal androgen production. Mild elevations in adults are usually idiopathic, but levels 5-fold or more of the upper limit of normal can suggest the presence of an androgen-secreting adrenal tumor. DHEA/DHEAS levels are elevated in greater than 90% of patients with such tumors. This is particularly true for androgen-secreting adrenal carcinomas, as they have typically lost the ability to produce downstream androgens, such as testosterone. By contrast, androgen-secreting adrenal adenomas may also produce excess testosterone and secrete lesser amounts of DHEA/DHEAS.
Patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) may show very high levels of DHEA/DHEAS, often 5-fold to 10-fold elevations. However, with the possible exception of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency, other steroid analytes offer better diagnostic accuracy than DHEA/DHEAS measurements. Consequently, DHEA/DHEAS testing should not be used as the primary tool for CAH diagnosis. Similarly, discovering a high DHEA/DHEAS level in an infant or child with symptoms or signs of possible CAH should prompt additional testing, as should the discovery of very high DHEA/DHEAS levels in an adult. In the latter case, adrenal tumors need to be excluded and additional adrenal steroid profile testing may assist in diagnosing nonclassical CAH.
For more information see Steroid Pathways.
Clinical Reference
1. Ibanez L, DiMartino-Nardi J, Potau N, Saenger P. Premature adrenarche-normal variant or forerunner of adult disease? Endocrine Rev. 2000;21(6):671-696
2. Collett-Solberg PF. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: from genetics and biochemistry to clinical practice, Part I. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2001;40(1):1-16
3. Allolio B, Arlt W. DHEA treatment: myth or reality? Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2002;13(7):288-294
4. Salek FS, Bigos KL, Kroboth PD. The influence of hormones and pharmaceutical agents on DHEA and DHEA-S concentrations: a review of clinical studies. J Clin Pharmacol. 2002;42(3):247-266
5. Bertholf RL, Cooper M, Winter WE. Adrenal Cortex. In: Rifai N, Horvath AR, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2018:66
6. Ebeling P, Koivisto VA. Physiological importance of dehydro-epiandrosterone. Lancet. 1994;343(8911):1479-1481
7. Morales AJ, Nolan JJ, Nelson JC, Yen SS. Effects of replacement dose of dehydroepiandrosterone in men and women of advancing age. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1994;78(6):1360-1367
Report Available
2 to 7 daysMethod Name
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Portions of this test are covered by patents held by Quest Diagnostics