Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

• ISI Order Code:

  DHEA

• CPT Code:

  82626

Clinical Significance

Dehydroepiandrosterone is a 17-Ketosteroid produced primarily by the adrenal gland by side chain cleavage of 17-HydroxyPregnenolone.  It is reversibly converted to Dehydroepiandrosterone-Sulfate and Androstenediol.  It is also converted to Androstenedione.  It is excreted in the urine as Sulfate and Glucuronide conjugates and unconjugated (Free) forms.  DHEA is a weak androgen strongly bound to Sex Steroid Binding Globulin and weakly bound to Corticosteroid Binding Globulin and Albumin.  DHEA is one of the first androgens to increase significantly at the onset on adrenarche.  Levels increase throughout puberty until adulthood.  In females, levels drop off sharply after menopause.  DHEA may distinguish adrenal causes of over androgenization from gonadal causes.

• Reference Range:

  • Male:

    20 – 380 ng/dl

  • Female:

    • Premenopausal:

      150 – 650 ng/dl

    • Postmenopausal:

      120 – 360 ng/dl

• Procedure:

  Dehydroepiandrosterone is measured by immunoassay.

• Expected Turnaround Time:

  7 Business Days

Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of receipt of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering facility.

• Report:

  Sample Report

Patient Preparation

Patient should not be on any Steroid, ACTH, Estrogen, or Gonadotropin medications, if possible, for at least 48 hours prior to collection of specimen.

Specimen Collection

3 ml serum should be collected and separated.  Minimum specimen size is 1 ml.

Serum is the only acceptable sample type for this test.

• Rejection Criteria:

  Gross hemolysis/lipemia/icteric

Special Specimens

For tumor/tissue and various fluids (i.e. saliva, ­CSF, peritoneal, synovial, etc.), contact the Institute for requirements and special handling.

Shipping Instructions

Ship specimens at room temperature or frozen in dry ice.

References

1. Swinkels LMJW, Ross HA, Smals AGH, and Benraad ThJ. Concentrations of Total and Free Dehydroepiandrosterone in Plasma and Dehydroepiandrosterone in Saliva of Normal and Hirsute Women under Basal Conditions and during Administration of Dexamethasone/Synthetic Cortictropin.  Clin Chem 36: 2042-2046, 1990.

2. Carmina E, Levin JH, Malizia G, and Lobo RA. Ovine Corticotropin-Releasing Factor and Dexamethasone Responses in Hyperandrogenic Women.  Fertil  Steril 54: 245-250, 1990.