DHEA-S blood test
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate
In short
A typical adult DHEA-S result is 83 to 377 µg/dL for women (age 18–30), 45 to 295 µg/dL for women (age 31–40), 27 to 240 µg/dL for women (age 41–50), 16 to 195 µg/dL for women (age 51–60), 9.7 to 159 µg/dL for women (age 61–70), 5.3 to 124 µg/dL for women (age 71+), 105 to 728 µg/dL for men (age 18–30), 57 to 522 µg/dL for men (age 31–40), 34 to 395 µg/dL for men (age 41–50), 20 to 299 µg/dL for men (age 51–60), 12 to 227 µg/dL for men (age 61–70) and 6.6 to 162 µg/dL for men (age 71+). A mildly high DHEA-S is common and often has no clear cause. Levels far above the range are less common and lead doctors to look more closely at the adrenal glands. Always read your result against the range printed on your own report.
An adrenal gland hormone the body turns into sex hormones.
DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) is made mostly by the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys. It is highest in young adults and falls steadily with age, so the typical range depends on age. Doctors check it to see whether extra male-type hormones (androgens) are coming from the adrenals.
Is my DHEA-S high or low?
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Typical range
| For | Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Female · age 18–30 | 83–377 | µg/dL |
| Female · age 31–40 | 45–295 | µg/dL |
| Female · age 41–50 | 27–240 | µg/dL |
| Female · age 51–60 | 16–195 | µg/dL |
| Female · age 61–70 | 9.7–159 | µg/dL |
| Female · age 71+ | 5.3–124 | µg/dL |
| Male · age 18–30 | 105–728 | µg/dL |
| Male · age 31–40 | 57–522 | µg/dL |
| Male · age 41–50 | 34–395 | µg/dL |
| Male · age 51–60 | 20–299 | µg/dL |
| Male · age 61–70 | 12–227 | µg/dL |
| Male · age 71+ | 6.6–162 | µg/dL |
| Female · age 18–30 | 2.2–10.2 | µmol/L |
| Female · age 31–40 | 1.2–8 | µmol/L |
| Female · age 41–50 | 0.7–6.5 | µmol/L |
| Female · age 51–60 | 0.4–5.3 | µmol/L |
| Female · age 61–70 | 0.3–4.3 | µmol/L |
| Female · age 71+ | 0.1–3.3 | µmol/L |
| Male · age 18–30 | 2.8–19.7 | µmol/L |
| Male · age 31–40 | 1.5–14.1 | µmol/L |
| Male · age 41–50 | 0.9–10.7 | µmol/L |
| Male · age 51–60 | 0.5–8.1 | µmol/L |
| Male · age 61–70 | 0.3–6.1 | µmol/L |
| Male · age 71+ | 0.2–4.4 | µmol/L |
Typical ranges for adults. Labs differ a little, so the range printed next to your result is the one to go by.
If your DHEA-S is high
A mildly high DHEA-S is common and often has no clear cause. Levels far above the range are less common and lead doctors to look more closely at the adrenal glands.
Common reasons
- A mild rise with no clear cause, which is common
- DHEA supplements, sold over the counter
- PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), a common hormone condition, in women
- Less often: an inherited adrenal condition, or an adrenal tumor
If your DHEA-S is low
A low DHEA-S is common with age, since levels fall year by year. Less often, it can be a sign of underactive adrenal glands or pituitary (a brain gland).
Common reasons
- Getting older, as levels fall steadily from young adulthood
- Steroid medicines, which quiet the adrenal glands
- A long or serious illness
- Less often: Addison's disease (adrenal damage) or an underactive pituitary
What can throw it off
DHEA supplements raise DHEA-S, and because levels fall with age, the right range depends on your age.
Questions to take to your appointment
- 1Which age range was my result compared against?
- 2Could a supplement I take explain this?
- 3Do my testosterone and other hormones point the same way?
Read together with
Doctors rarely read DHEA-S alone. These usually sit next to it.
- TestosteroneThe main male sex hormone, also made in smaller amounts in women.
- Free testosteroneThe part of testosterone that is free for the body to use.
- SHBGA carrier protein that holds testosterone and estrogen in the blood.
- CortisolThe main stress hormone, made by the adrenal glands above the kidneys.
Quick answers
What is the DHEA-S blood test?
DHEA-S (Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate): An adrenal gland hormone the body turns into sex hormones. DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) is made mostly by the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys. It is highest in young adults and falls steadily with age, so the typical range depends on age. Doctors check it to see whether extra male-type hormones (androgens) are coming from the adrenals.
What is a normal DHEA-S level?
For most adults, DHEA-S is typically 83 to 377 µg/dL for women (age 18–30), 45 to 295 µg/dL for women (age 31–40), 27 to 240 µg/dL for women (age 41–50), 16 to 195 µg/dL for women (age 51–60), 9.7 to 159 µg/dL for women (age 61–70), 5.3 to 124 µg/dL for women (age 71+), 105 to 728 µg/dL for men (age 18–30), 57 to 522 µg/dL for men (age 31–40), 34 to 395 µg/dL for men (age 41–50), 20 to 299 µg/dL for men (age 51–60), 12 to 227 µg/dL for men (age 61–70) and 6.6 to 162 µg/dL for men (age 71+). Some countries print it in µmol/L, so check the unit first. Labs differ a little, so the range printed next to your result is the one to go by.
What does a high DHEA-S mean?
A mildly high DHEA-S is common and often has no clear cause. Levels far above the range are less common and lead doctors to look more closely at the adrenal glands. Common reasons include a mild rise with no clear cause, which is common; DHEA supplements, sold over the counter; PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), a common hormone condition, in women; and less often: an inherited adrenal condition, or an adrenal tumor. A doctor reads it together with your other results and how you feel.
What does a low DHEA-S mean?
A low DHEA-S is common with age, since levels fall year by year. Less often, it can be a sign of underactive adrenal glands or pituitary (a brain gland). Common reasons include getting older, as levels fall steadily from young adulthood; steroid medicines, which quiet the adrenal glands; a long or serious illness; and less often: Addison's disease (adrenal damage) or an underactive pituitary.
What can affect my DHEA-S result?
DHEA supplements raise DHEA-S, and because levels fall with age, the right range depends on your age.
What should I ask my doctor about my DHEA-S?
Questions worth taking to the appointment: Which age range was my result compared against? Could a supplement I take explain this? Do my testosterone and other hormones point the same way?
What this page can’t do
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