About the DHEA-S Test
Purpose of the test
DHEA-S comes almost entirely from the adrenal cortex (the outer layer of the adrenal glands, two small glands that sit above your kidneys). Because the adrenal glands are nearly the sole source, an abnormal DHEA-S level points to adrenal overproduction or underproduction rather than to the ovaries or testes. That’s what makes it useful. It narrows the picture.
Elevated DHEA-S levels occur with adrenal cancer, adrenal tumors, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), formerly polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Decreased levels are seen with Addison’s disease, hypopituitarism (a condition where the pituitary gland doesn’t make enough hormones to signal the adrenal glands), sexual problems, dementia, osteoporosis, lupus, AIDS, chronic fatigue syndrome, and Crohn’s disease. As described by MedlinePlus, DHEA-S testing is most useful when symptoms suggest that the adrenal glands are not working properly, either producing too much or too little androgen.
It serves two purposes:
- Diagnosis: You might consider this test if you have signs of androgen excess, like hirsutism (excess facial or body hair), irregular periods, or acne, or if symptoms suggest low adrenal output, like unexplained fatigue or low libido.
- Monitoring: For known conditions like PMOS or adrenal disorders, DHEA-S testing tracks how levels respond to treatment over time.
DHEA-S doesn’t diagnose PMOS, infertility, or menstrual disorders on its own. It doesn’t measure cortisol, aldosterone, or adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Those require separate tests.
What does the DHEA-S test measure?
This test covers one marker from a single blood sample processed at a CLIA-certified lab.
- Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S): The level of DHEA-S, a steroid hormone from the adrenal cortex that serves as a precursor to both testosterone and estrogen.
Labs run the test using an immunoassay, a method that detects the hormone based on how it binds to specific antibodies. DHEA-S is the sulfated (storage) form of DHEA. Its half-life is roughly 10 to 20 hours, so it is more stable in the bloodstream than DHEA, which has a half-life of only 30 minutes. That makes it the preferred marker for checking adrenal androgen output.
DHEA-S levels peak in the mid-20s and drop gradually after age 30. A level that looks low in a 25-year-old may be completely normal in a 60-year-old. Your provider reads results against age- and sex-adjusted ranges.
When should I get a DHEA-s test?
Consider testing if any of these apply:
- Hirsutism or virilization (development of male physical traits)
- Irregular or absent menstrual periods
- Unexplained acne or scalp hair thinning
- Fatigue, low libido, or muscle weakness without a clear cause
- Suspected PMOS as part of a broader hormonal workup
- A known adrenal or pituitary condition is being monitored
There’s no population-wide screening schedule for DHEA-S. Providers typically retest every six to 12 months for PMOS and every three to six months for active adrenal disorders during treatment. Your provider sets the cadence based on your diagnosis.
How It Works
How to get tested
This test is ordered through a healthcare provider, who sends you to a lab for the blood draw. Most providers order it through CLIA-certified labs such as LabCorp (test code 004020) or Quest Diagnostics (test code 402). Results are returned through the ordering provider’s patient portal or office.
Results are typically ready within one to three business days after the lab receives your sample, though timing can vary by lab.
Before the test
No fasting is required. A few things can affect your result, though, so review these before your appointment.
- Schedule a morning draw if possible. Blood collected between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. reflects a more consistent result.
- Stop taking biotin (vitamin B7, found in many hair, nail, and skin supplements) at least 72 hours before your draw. Biotin interferes with immunoassay accuracy.
- Tell your provider if you take over-the-counter DHEA supplements. These directly raise measured DHEA-S and can produce a falsely high result.
- List all other medications (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure medications) and supplements you take. Some hormonal medications affect adrenal output. Nicotine can elevate your levels, while fish oil/vitamin E supplements can lower them.
DHEA-S is relatively stable across the menstrual cycle, unlike estrogen or progesterone. You don’t need to time this test to a specific cycle day. But if your provider wants to compare DHEA-S alongside other hormones that vary by cycle phase, they’ll advise on timing.
During the test
- Check in at the lab or clinic. Bring a photo ID and your test order.
- A phlebotomist draws blood from a vein in your arm. You’ll feel a brief pinch. The draw takes two to three minutes.
- A small bandage covers the site. No recovery time is needed.
Keep the bandage on for at least 15 minutes to ensure bleeding has stopped. Some people notice light bruising over the next day or two. That’s normal.
Call your provider if you have lasting pain, swelling, or redness at the draw site.
After the test
Results are typically returned through the ordering provider’s patient portal or office within one to three business days after the lab receives your sample, though timing can vary by lab.
Don’t interpret results on your own. DHEA-S ranges shift with age and sex, and your provider reads your number in that context.
What Do My Results Mean?
Results are reported in micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL). The reference range varies by age and sex. It normally decreases as you get older.
| Age Group | Approximate Range (Women) | Approximate Range (Men) |
| 20–29 | 65–380 µg/dL | 280–640 µg/dL |
| 30–39 | 45–270 µg/dL | 120–520 µg/dL |
| 40–49 | 32–240 µg/dL | 95–530 µg/dL |
| 50–59 | 26–200 µg/dL | 70–310 µg/dL |
| 60+ | 13–130 µg/dL | 42–290 µg/dL |
Ranges are approximate and vary by laboratory. Your lab report will include the reference interval used for your sample.
Reading your result depends on what other tests were ordered alongside DHEA-S. It’s often one part of a broader hormonal workup that includes testosterone, androstenedione, cortisol, or ACTH.
If your results are within range
Your adrenal glands are making DHEA-S at a level expected for your age and sex. This doesn’t rule out every hormonal condition, but it makes adrenal overproduction or severe insufficiency less likely. If symptoms persist, your provider may check other markers.
If your DHEA-S levels are high
The adrenal glands may be producing more androgen than expected. Conditions linked to high levels include CAH, adrenal tumors, and PMOS. In women, high DHEA-S often shows up alongside hirsutism, irregular periods, acne, or hair thinning.
Because DHEA-S is almost exclusively adrenal in origin, a high result may point to adrenal overactivity rather than ovarian or testicular sources. That distinction matters. Follow-up testing often includes testosterone, androstenedione, and sometimes an ACTH stimulation test to narrow the cause.
If your DHEA-S levels are low
Low DHEA-S may point to adrenal insufficiency, Addison’s disease (a condition where the adrenal glands don’t make enough hormones), or hypopituitarism. According to the Endocrine Society, symptoms of adrenal insufficiency can include fatigue, low libido, muscle weakness, and unexplained weight changes.
Very low levels (generally below 40 µg/dL) combined with low ACTH may suggest autonomous cortisol secretion (a condition where an adrenal tumor produces excess cortisol, which can suppress DHEA-S. That combination typically calls for referral to an endocrinologist. Your provider will review your full hormone picture before drawing conclusions.