DHEA-S
Also called DHEA sulfate, DHEAS, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate
DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) is a hormone made mostly by the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys, with smaller amounts made in the testicles and ovaries. It is an androgen found in both men and women, and the body uses it as a building block for testosterone and estrogen. A DHEA-S blood test measures how much is circulating.
DHEA-S is the sulfated form of DHEA. The test is mainly used to check how well the adrenal glands are working, to look for adrenal tumors and disorders of the testicles or ovaries, and to investigate the development of masculine features in women.
Why it matters after 45
DHEA-S peaks around puberty and then falls steadily with age, so a result only means something against an age-matched range, and an abnormal result can point to a problem with the adrenal glands or the sex hormones. A low-for-age result reflecting the ordinary decline is different from an abnormal one, and the article that explains interpretation is linked below.
Where it comes up
Related terms
References
- MedlinePlus. DHEA Sulfate Test. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/dhea-sulfate-test/
- MedlinePlus. Testosterone Levels Test. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/testosterone-levels-test/
Definitions here are educational and are not medical advice. They explain what a term means; the pages linked above cover what it means for you, and a clinician reviews your own results. Editorial & medical review policy · All glossary terms