DHEA-S

General Information:

DHEA-S is a steroid hormone formed by cholesterol in the adrenal cortex. Together with testosterone, the test of DHEA-S is helping the detection of hyperandrogenemia; hirsutism and virilism; genetic adenogenic defects of the adrenal cortex (adipogenic syndrome), adrenocortical hyperplasia, and androgen-producing tumours.

DHEA-S has a weak androgenic activity but can be metabolised to more active androgens, such as androstenedione and testosterone, which in pathological conditions can indirectly lead to hirsutism (increased hair) and virilism (increased hair, combined with other male features structure - voice stiffening, clitoral hypertrophy, etc.) in females.

Normal increases in DHEA-S values are seen from seven years to about 30 years when they begin to fall again.

DHEA-S is relatively tightly bound to albumin, with a small portion of the hormone not linked to proteins.

Sample Required:

Venous blood in the morning in fasting

Keywords:

DHEA-S, cholesterol, hormone