Platform
Company
Endocrine & Reproductive
Review status
Currently under review
Pending specialist review and validation.
DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, is a steroid hormone made mostly by your adrenal glands, with smaller amounts from the ovaries or testes. It serves as a building block that your body can convert into other hormones, including androgens and estrogens. A blood test measures how much DHEA is circulating at the time of the draw.
DHEA is related to but distinct from DHEA‑S, a sulfated form that is more stable in the blood. Your clinician may order DHEA together with DHEA‑S and other hormones to get a fuller picture of adrenal and gonadal function.
Measuring DHEA helps evaluate symptoms linked to excess or deficiency of adrenal androgens, such as unwanted hair growth, acne, scalp hair thinning, changes in menstrual cycles, reduced libido, or signs of early or delayed puberty. It can also assist in assessing adrenal disorders, including conditions that cause overproduction or underproduction of hormones.
Doctors may order this test alongside testosterone, androstenedione, 17‑hydroxyprogesterone, and cortisol to narrow the cause of symptoms and guide next steps. Results can help decide whether imaging, medication changes, or referral to an endocrinologist is appropriate, and can monitor the impact of treatment over time.
Your result is interpreted in the context of your age, sex, stage of development, and the laboratory’s reference interval. Levels often peak in adolescence and naturally decline with aging, so what is typical varies widely across the lifespan. Your clinician will consider your medications, symptoms, and other hormone tests when discussing what the result means for you.
A higher result can reflect increased adrenal androgen production or the effect of supplements and certain drugs. A lower result can be seen with reduced adrenal function or specific medications. If your result is unexpected, your clinician may repeat the test, check related hormones, review supplements, or adjust the timing of testing to confirm the pattern before recommending treatment.
Reference intervals vary by laboratory, analyzer, methodology, population, and units. The ranges shown here are for education only. Always interpret your results against the reference interval printed on your own lab report.
DHEA shows a daily rhythm, with higher levels earlier in the morning and lower later in the day. Whenever possible, have repeat tests collected at a similar time to make results easier to compare.
Levels change with growth and aging, rising around puberty and gradually declining in later adulthood. Interpretation always takes your age and developmental stage into account.
Glucocorticoids, oral contraceptives, and some hormone therapies can lower DHEA, while certain anticonvulsants and DHEA or adrenal extract supplements can raise it. Tell your clinician about all prescriptions and over‑the‑counter products.
Severe illness, major physiologic stress, or recent surgery can temporarily alter adrenal hormone production. Testing is best interpreted when you are clinically stable.
Hormonal shifts across pregnancy and menopause can influence adrenal and gonadal hormone balance. Your clinician will interpret values in the context of these physiologic changes.
Consistent sample type and proper handling improve reliability. Fasting is usually not required, but avoiding biotin megadoses and recent DHEA supplements before testing can prevent misleading results.
References