Hi Sue,

I was researching that myself as Ashley has had elevated levels of 17 OHP, but the androstenedione was normal so I needed to put together some sort of letter for his Doctor saying that the dhea was elevated.  So whilst I was doing that and looking at dhea’s I thought I’d post thi here for you.  Hope that it answers your question.

Cheers

Anne-Marie

Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate, Serum

Test Number: 

0070040

Methodology:
 

Chemiluminescent Immunoassay

Clinical Signifiance:
 

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) is a weak androgen secreted primarily by the "zona reticularis" of the adrenal cortex. Secretion is controlled by ACTH and other pituitary factors. Physiologically, DHEA-S has many roles, including the development of pubic and axillary hair, the development and maintenance of immunocompetence, and as a possible tumor marker.

Serum levels of DHEA-S are one thousand times greater than DHEA. DHEA levels show diurnal variation while DHEA-S does not. Levels change slowly due to slow metabolism and low renal clearance.

Serum concentrations of DHEA-S are high at birth (newborn range 30-250 µg/ dL) and even higher in sick and premature infants. Values decrease precipitously during the first week of life, and then down to 3-24 µg/dL for children 6 months to 4 years.

Clinical indications for DHEA-S include:

•	Hirsutism and amenorrhea (the most common sign of increased adrenal androgen production by women)

•	Polycystic ovarian syndrome, where high DHEA-S levels are encountered (levels >700-800 µg/dL in women are suggestive of a hormone secreting adrenal tumor)

•	Cushing’s caused by adrenal carcinomas where DHEA-S is elevated, but usually not in Cushing’s syndrome caused by a benign adrenal tumor.

Reference Interval:
 

Table 83: Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate, Serum

Age	Male (µg/dL)	Female (µg/dL)
0-8 yrs	3-120	8-112
9-10 yrs	16-150	31-150
11-12 yrs	16-177	36-187
13-14 yrs	39-292	52-248
15-16 yrs	39-242	84-308
17-19 yrs	76-640	65-380
20-29 yrs	280-640	65-380
30-39 yrs	120-520	45-270
40-49 yrs	95-530	32-240
50-59 yrs	70-310	26-200
60-69 yrs	42-290	13-130
70 yrs & over	28-175	10-90

References:
 

•	Cohen HN, et al. Clinical value of adrenal androgen measurement in the diagnosis of delayed puberty. Lancet 1981; 1(8222):689-692.

•	Tourniaire J and Pugeat M. Strategic approach of hyperandrogenism in women. Horm Res 1983; 18:125-134.

•	Whitley RJ, et al. Adrenocortical steroids. In Tietz textbook of clinical chemistry, 2nd ed. CA Burtis and ER Ashwood, eds. 1994; Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co., 1808-1818.