UK Registered DoctorsDehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Sulphate Test
What is Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate?
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphate form (DHEA sulphate; DHEAS) are steroid hormones that are mainly produced in the adrenal glands. These small glands are located above each of the kidneys. DHEA and DHEAS are also found in other organs, including the ovaries, testes, placenta, liver, body fat, brain and the central nervous system. Both DHEA and DHEAS are hormones from which sex steroid hormones (androgens and oestrogens) and neurosteroids are formed.
DHEAS is the main storage form of DHEA. Its role is as a circulating storage form for DHEA. DHEAS is converted back to active DHEA as needed. DHEA is short-lived but, by adding a sulphate group and converting into DHEAS, it remains stable and at higher concentrations in the blood for longer. The ratio of DHEA to DHEAS is 1:1000.
Blood levels of DHEA and DHEAS are influenced by an individual’s sex and age. Women have lower concentrations than men, and younger people have higher levels than their elders. DHEA levels begin to rise from puberty to early adulthood, peaking at 25–30 years of age. Thereafter, it is normal for DHEAS production to fall approximately 2–5% per year, with the fall corresponding to both the fall in production of sex hormones and the features of aging.
DHEA has multiple functions in the body. Aside from conversion to testosterone and oestrogens, as a sex hormone DHEA helps with the effects of androgens during adrenal gland maturation (e.g., development of male sex characteristics) and has weak oestrogenic effects. As a neurosteroid and nerve cell growth factor, it is important in neurological functioning. DHEA and DHEAS support neuroprotection, cardiovascular protection, bone density maintenance, muscle building, and immune regulation. They have a role in aging-related physiological changes (e.g., menopause) and have been associated with the onset of age-related chronic diseases, e.g., atherosclerosis, osteopenia, muscle loss, reduced immune function, neurodegenerative disorders and mood impairment.
What is a Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate test?
The DHEAS test measures the level of DHEAS in the blood, which is more stable than DHEA. It therefore is a reliable surrogate for evaluating total androgen production. It is used to assess how well the adrenal glands are functioning, help diagnose adrenal tumours, and investigate any imbalance in hormone levels resulting in hormonal-controlled characteristics such as excess hair growth and early puberty. The test results will indicate if there is a problem with either the adrenal glands or sex hormone production.
Why is a Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate test important?
DHEAS is used as a surrogate for measuring DHEA, as DHEAS is stable and has a longer half-life (lasts longer) compared with DHEA that is unstable and has a short half-life. Additionally, DHEAS does not fluctuate greatly during the day and so provides a more consistent measurement than DHEA at any point in time.
Because DHEAS is produced mostly in the adrenal glands, the test can be used as an indicator of adrenal function. The DHEAS test is also important in determining hormone balance. Thus, DHEAS is often tested together with other hormone tests, such as testosterone, other androgens and oestrogens, because DHEA is a precursor of these sex steroid hormones, and because symptoms of abnormal DHEA concentrations and functioning may be caused by other hormone-related disorders.
Who should have their Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate level tested?
The DHEAS test can be used to investigate and monitor:
- Adrenal gland function.
- Adrenal gland disorders, diseases and tumours.
- Disorders of the testicles and the ovaries (e.g., polycystic ovary syndrome).
- Causes of early- or late-onset puberty in children.
- Menstrual irregularities like irregular periods, and fertility issues in women.
- Symptoms of high or low levels of DHEAS:
- High levels: women can develop male characteristics (e.g., deepened voice, become very muscular, and excess facial and body hair growth); men may not have any symptoms.
- Low levels: symptoms include reduced sexual function, low libido, and sexual dysfunction in both sexes (erectile dysfunction in men; vaginal dryness and tissue thinning and lowered sexual responsiveness in women).
- Accompanying symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, dehydration, depression, and reduced muscle strength.
- Causes of a female having external genitals that are neither clearly male nor female.
How to test for Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate?
The DHEAS test measures the level of DHEAS in the blood. A small blood sample can be collected by a healthcare professional from a vein in your arm at a clinic, or The Online Clinic can provide you with a pack containing all you need to perform a finger-prick blood test at home.
Collecting the blood sample yourself is easy. You will be sent step-by-step instructions of what to do and where to send the blood sample for laboratory analysis. The Online Clinic will receive your test results and, should you wish, discuss and advise you on the findings.
Usually, fasting is not required before the test. However, although DHEAS levels generally do not fluctuate during the day, you may be asked to collect the blood sample at a specific time of day.
To avoid abnormal test results, it is important to inform The Online Clinic if you are pregnant because pregnancy affects hormone levels and DHEAS; about all medications and supplements you are taking because some medicines (e.g., corticosteroids, hormone replacement therapy, and oral contraceptives) can affect DHEAS levels; and if you are stressed before the test as stress can impact hormone levels and adrenal hormones.
What are normal Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate test results?
Normal DHEAS blood levels can differ by sex and age, and may vary among different laboratories. Typical normal ranges, measured in micromols per litre (µmol/L), are shown below.
DHEAS reference ranges for children (boys and girls)
| Age | Range in µmol/L |
|---|---|
| 0–<2 months | >28.8 |
| 2–<6 months | 0.7–15.6 |
| 6 months–<1 year | 0.2–4.8 |
| 1–<6 years | 0–3.0 |
| 6–<9 years | 0–4.1 |
| 9–<13 years | 0.9–7.3 |
| 13–<16 years | 1.5–12.5 |
DHEAS reference ranges for adolescents and adults
| Age in years | Males µmol/L | Females µmol/L |
|---|---|---|
| 16–<19 | 3.4–18.2 | 4.0–15.5 |
| 19 | 1.2–10.4 | 1.7–13.4 |
| 20–24 | 6.5–14.6 | 3.6–11.1 |
| 25–34 | 4.6–16.1 | 2.6–13.9 |
| 35–44 | 3.8–13.1 | 2.0–11.1 |
| 45–54 | 3.7–12.1 | 1.5–7.7 |
| 55–64 | 1.3–9.8 | 0.8–4.9 |
| >65 | 6.2–7.7 | 0.9–2.1 |
A DHEAS value that is within the normal range together with an absence of symptoms of a hormone imbalance indicates that the adrenal glands are functioning normally.
An elevated DHEAS value may indicate that the adrenal glands or the ovaries are producing too much of a specific hormone. This may be due to disorders of the adrenal glands (e.g., a cancerous or non-cancerous adrenal tumour, Cushing’s syndrome, or congenital adrenal hyperplasia) or the ovaries (e.g., polycystic ovary syndrome, ovarian cancer). Raised DHEAS levels may also cause women to develop symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, excessive hair growth, and acne; raised levels may not affect men but is associated with premature sex characteristics in boys.
A low DHEAS value may indicate that the adrenal glands or the pituitary gland (the master control gland) is not producing enough of a specific hormone. This can be due to disorders of the adrenal glands (e.g., Addison’s disease) or the pituitary (e.g., pituitary adenomas, hypopituitarism).
DHEAS levels that are too high or too low may warrant additional tests to determine the cause.
What is the evidence for using Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate supplements?
Because DHEA and DHEAS concentrations decrease with age, theoretically, restoring levels by supplementation has the potential to provide anti-aging effects and health benefits to older individuals. For this reason, DHEA has been marketed as an ‘anti-aging’ supplement. However, this claim cannot be reliably substantiated, and results can be inconsistent.
Moreover, reviews of DHEA replacement and its effectiveness for disorders related to age (e.g., degenerative disorders, sexual dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, strength, mood, cognitive decline, and reduced wellbeing) do not support its use. There is also no good evidence that low DHEA levels cause disorders related to age or that taking DHEA supplements can help to prevent or treat them. Neither is there good quality evidence that DHEA is effective for improving fertility, including the outcomes of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and of having a baby.
Indeed, supplementation can have side effects and overall is not recommended. Some adverse effects of androgens (e.g., acne, facial hair growth, and swollen ankles) have been reported in women. Importantly, DHEA can worsen hormone-sensitive conditions like some breast cancers (and possibly prostate and endometrial cancers), and interact with medications such as hormone therapies, antipsychotics, antiepileptics and antidepressants. DHEA is not recommended for use by a person who has a hormone-sensitive condition, polycystic ovary syndrome, is pregnant or breastfeeding, has a liver disorder, or by children.
References
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