Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate

Test information: DHEAS a weak androgenic that plays an important role in the development of male secondary sexual characteristics at puberty.  It can metabolize to more potent androgens like androstenedione and testosterone, and thus be an indirect cause of hirsutism or virilisation. DHEAS is measured to evaluate adrenal function and to investigate causes of virilisation, hirsutism, alopecia in women or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).  It is also of value in the specialist assessment of disorders of sex development, such as in the assessment of ambiguous genitalia, or of adrenarche and delayed/precocious puberty.  DHEAS concentrations are normally high in both male and female newborns. They drop sharply shortly after birth, then rise again during puberty. DHEAS concentrations peak between the ages of 18 to 30 years and then slowly decline with age.

Specimen Type(s)

• Blood;

Other Acceptable Specimen Type(s)

N/A

Specimen Container - Adult

• Gold Top SST BD;

Specimen Container - Paediatric

• Clear - Plain;

Analytes

• N/A;

Part of a test profile?

No

Volume (min) of sample to be sent to laboratory

4ml

Patient Preparation, Sample Handling and Transport

N/A

Maximum add on time

5 days

Units and Reference Ranges / Interpretation

RR for Male and Femael - <1week - 0.7 - 8.2 - umol/L 1-4 weeks - 0.2 - 8.6 - umol/L 1-12 months - 0.9 - 5.8 - umol/L 1-4 years - 0.9 - 7.5 - umol/L 5-10 years - 0.7 - 5.7 - umol/L RR for Female - 11-14y - 0.2 - 4.6 - umol/L 15-19y - 1.7 - 13.4 - umol/L 20-24y - 3.6 - 11.1 - umol/L 25-34y - 2.6 - 13.9 - umol/L 35-44y - 2.0 - 11.1 - umol/L 45-54y - 1.5 - 7.7 - umol/L 55-64y - 0.8 - 4.9 - umol/L 65-70y (Winpath upper limit is 120yrs) - 0.9 - 2.1 - umol/L RR for Male - 11-14y - 0.5 - 6.6 - umol/L 15-19y - 1.2 - 10.4 - umol/L 20-24y - 6.5 - 14.6 - umol/L 25-34y - 4.6 - 16.1 - umol/L 35-44y - 3.8 - 13.1 - umol/L 45-54y - 3.7 - 12.1 - umol/L 55-64y - 1.3 - 9.8 - umol/L 65-70y (Winpath upper limit is 120yrs) - 6.2 - 7.7 - umol/L

UKAS number

8869

UKAS accredited test?

Yes

Comments

N/A

If you have any queries about a test or results interpretation please contact us.