Summary

This test measures the amount of the hormone DHEAS in your blood. DHEAS is a male sex hormone found in both men and women. The DHEAS test is used in combination with other hormone tests to investigate a range of conditions caused by the overproduction of androgens and more rarely, conditions associated with too little androgen. Conditions include masculine physical characteristics in young females and early puberty in young males and enlargement of the adrenal glands.

Why get tested?

Most DHEAS is made in the adrenal glands, the two small glands that are located just above your kidneys. Smaller amounts are made in the testicles and ovaries. 

If your DHEAS levels are not normal, it may mean there is a problem with your adrenal glands, testicles or ovaries.

DHEAS has an important role in making the male sex hormone testosterone and the female sex hormone oestrogen. 

Measuring the levels of DHEAS in the blood is useful to:

• find out the if this is the cause of too much body hair growth and development of masculine features in females,
• diagnose congenital adrenal hyperplasia (a group of genetic disorders that affect the adrenal glands),
• find out if this is the cause of early puberty in males,
• diagnose tumours of the adrenal glands.

Having the test

Sample

Blood

Any preparation?

None

Your results

Reading your test report
Your results will be presented along with those of your other tests on the same form.  You will see separate columns or lines for each of these tests. 

High levels of DHEAS in the blood may be due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a tumour of the adrenal gland.

Low levels of DHEAS in the blood may be due to Addison's disease (a disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands do not make enough cortisol and sometimes aldosterone).

Reference intervals

Your results will be compared to reference intervals (sometimes called a normal range).

• Reference intervals are the range of results expected in healthy people. 
• When compared against them your results may be flagged high or low if they sit outside this range.
• Many reference intervals vary between labs so only those that are standardised or harmonised across most laboratories are given on this website.
• DHEAS testing is not standardised (harmonised) and reference intervals vary between labs.

If your results are flagged as high or low this does not necessarily mean that anything is wrong. It depends on your personal situation. Your results need to be interpreted by your doctor. 

Questions to ask your doctor

The choice of tests your doctor makes will be based on your medical history and symptoms.   It is important that you tell them everything you think might help. 

You play a central role in making sure your test results are accurate. Do everything you can to make sure the information you provide is correct and follow instructions closely. 

Talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking. Find out if you need to fast or stop any particular foods or supplements. These may affect your results. Ask:

• Why does this test need to be done?
• Do I need to prepare (such as fast or avoid medications) for the sample collection?
• Will an abnormal result mean I need further tests?
• How could it change the course of my care?
• What will happen next, after the test?

Any more to know?

DHEAS levels in the blood normally change with age in both men and women. This should be reflected in the reference intervals on the pathology report. 

More information

Pathology and diagnostic imaging reports can be added to your My Health Record. You and your healthcare provider can now access your results whenever and wherever needed.

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