Turnaround times
The quoted turnaround time is from sample receipt in the laboratory, to results authorisation in the Laboratory Information Management system. The times do not include transport of specimen to the laboratory or the administrative process to print and post/email reports. Service users must allow for transport and reporting time when ordering tests.
Clinical background:
The DHEA-S in circulation originates predominantly from the adrenals. In itself, DHEA-S is only weakly androgenic, but it can be metabolised to produce more potent androgens such as androstenedione and testosterone. Circulating concentrations of DHEA-S increase steadily from about the seventh year of life, then gradually decline after the third decade. Due to much slower turnover (DHEA-S has a half-life of nearly a full day), DHEA-S maintains a plasma level almost a thousand fold higher than free DHEA. Unlike cortisol, DHEA-S does not exhibit significant diurnal variation. It does not circulate bound to sex hormone binding globulin and hence is not influenced by alterations the level of this carrier protein. Its abundance, together with its within-day and day-to-day stability makes it a useful indicator of adrenal androgen output. Accordingly DHEA-S is often assayed in the investigation of hyperandrogenism.
Specimen container paediatric:
Serum
Specimen container adult:
Serum
Minimum volume paediatric:
1 mL blood
Minimum volume adult:
1 mL blood
Sample stability:
Unseparated sample: 2 days
Separated sample: 1 day at 15-25C;
2 weeks at 2-8C,
1 year at -20C
Transport requirements:
Ambient
Interpretation:
Mild to moderate elevations in DHEA-S levels may be associated with PCOS. However, pronounced elevations of DHEA-S may suggest an androgen-producing adrenal tumour. In children, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 3 beta-hydroxysteroid deficiency is associated with excessive DHEA-S production. Lesser elevations may be observed in 21-hydroxylase deficiency (the most common form of CAH) and 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency.
Reference ranges:
DHEAS LC-MS/MS Reference Ranges (µmol/L):
| Age | Male | Female |
| <1yr | <1.9 | <2.5 |
| 1-4 | <0.5 | <0.7 |
| 5-9 | <2.7 | <2.8 |
| 10-14 | 0.5-6.8 | 0.5-5.8 |
| 15-19 | 1.5-12.0 | 1.2-8.0 |
| 20-39 | 1.8-12.8 | 1.2-8.0 |
| 40-59 | 0.7-10.1 | 0.4-6.5 |
| 60+ | 0.5-8.7 | 0.1-4.8 |