Hormone Panel Updated Apr 17, 2026

DHEA-Sulfate (DHEA-S)

DHEA-Sulfate (DHEA-S) is a steroid hormone made mainly by the adrenal glands and measured in blood. On a DHEA-S lab report, the value helps show how much sulfate-bound androgen precursor is circulating. Results are often read with age, sex, and other hormone markers because normal DHEA-S levels vary widely.

What Is DHEA-Sulfate (DHEA-S)?

DHEA-Sulfate (DHEA-S) is a sulfate-bound steroid hormone measured in blood. It is made mainly by the adrenal glands and circulates in a stable form that reflects adrenal androgen output. On a lab report, DHEA-S is not a red blood cell marker; it is a hormone value reported separately from standard blood count numbers. DHEA-S on a blood test is used as a reference for how much of this hormone precursor is present in circulation.

Why Is DHEA-Sulfate (DHEA-S) Tested?

The DHEA-S test is usually ordered as part of a Hormones panel, and it may also appear in broader endocrine workups rather than in a CBC, CMP, lipid panel, or thyroid panel. DHEA-Sulfate on a lab report helps describe adrenal hormone production in a simple numeric format. A DHEA-Sulfate test result is often reviewed with other hormone values to show how one marker compares with the rest of the panel. DHEA-S is commonly included when a lab wants a wider view of hormone balance in blood.

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DHEA-Sulfate (DHEA-S) Normal Range

Group Range Unit
Adult Male 80–560 mcg/dL
Adult Female 35–430 mcg/dL

Reference ranges may vary by laboratory and individual factors.

What Does High DHEA-S Mean?

A high DHEA-S test result means more DHEA-S is circulating than expected for the listed reference group. In general, high DHEA-S can reflect increased adrenal hormone output or reduced clearance, which raises the measured concentration in blood. Values above the DHEA-Sulfate normal range for the lab, often around 340 mcg/dL in adult women and 430 mcg/dL in adult men, are typically flagged as high DHEA-S. On a DHEA-Sulfate on a lab report, the exact cutoff depends on the method and the reference interval used.

Associated factors

Adrenal hormone production variation — the adrenal glands may release more DHEA-S, raising the measured concentration.
Age-related pattern — DHEA-S is often higher in younger adults and declines with age, so a high DHEA-S can be more notable in older age groups.
Male sex reference range — adult men usually have a higher DHEA-Sulfate reference range, so interpretation depends on the sex-specific interval.
Recent exercise — intense activity can shift hormone levels and briefly influence a DHEA-S test.
Medication effects — some medicines and supplements can alter hormone production or laboratory measurement.
Supplement use — DHEA-containing products can directly increase a DHEA-Sulfate test result.
Hydration status — lower plasma volume can concentrate blood measurements and make DHEA-S appear higher.
Smoking — tobacco exposure is associated with higher DHEA-S in some populations.
Shift in steroid metabolism — changes in how the body makes or clears steroid hormones can increase measured DHEA-S.

What Does Low DHEA-S Mean?

A low DHEA-S test result means less DHEA-S is circulating than expected for the listed reference group. In general, low DHEA-S can reflect reduced adrenal hormone output, lower precursor production, or faster clearance from blood. Values below the DHEA-Sulfate normal range for the lab, often below about 15 mcg/dL in adults depending on age and sex, are typically reported as low DHEA-S. On a DHEA-Sulfate on a blood test, the result is always interpreted against the lab’s own reference interval.

Associated factors

Older age — DHEA-S commonly declines across adulthood, so low DHEA-S is more frequent in older groups.
Female sex reference range — adult women usually have lower DHEA-S than adult men, so the sex-specific range matters.
Calorie restriction — low energy intake can reduce steroid hormone production and lower DHEA-S.
Chronic stress on the body — prolonged physiologic stress can change adrenal output and lower DHEA-S.
Certain medications — glucocorticoid-like medicines and some other drugs can suppress DHEA-S production.
Poor absorption of nutrients — limited substrate availability can reduce hormone synthesis and lower the DHEA-Sulfate test result.
Hydration expansion — higher plasma volume can dilute the concentration and make DHEA-S look lower.
Timing differences — day-to-day biologic variation can place a value below the DHEA-Sulfate normal range on one draw and within range on another.
Natural steroid pathway variation — changes in how precursor hormones are converted can lower measured DHEA-S.

How DHEA-Sulfate (DHEA-S) Relates to Other Values

DHEA-S is often read with testosterone, androstenedione, cortisol, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) because those markers describe nearby parts of steroid hormone production. When DHEA-S is reviewed alongside SHBG, the pattern helps show how much hormone is circulating free versus bound. DHEA-S is not part of a CBC, but if a report also includes hematocrit (Hct), red blood cell count (RBC), or mean corpuscular volume (MCV), those values describe blood cell size and concentration rather than hormone activity. On a DHEA-Sulfate on a lab report, these related markers provide context for how the hormone value fits into the larger panel.

What Factors Affect DHEA-Sulfate (DHEA-S) Levels?

DHEA-S naturally varies by age, with higher levels earlier in adulthood and lower levels later in life. Adult men and adult women often have different DHEA-Sulfate reference range values, so the same number can mean something different across groups. Hydration status can shift concentration by changing plasma volume, and time-to-time biologic variation can move a DHEA-Sulfate test result modestly. Altitude, smoking, exercise, pregnancy, diet, and medication use can also influence a DHEA-S test. Different lab methods and units, such as mcg/dL versus µg/dL, can change how the reported value is displayed on a DHEA-Sulfate on a lab report.

How It Is Tested

DHEA-S is measured from a standard blood draw, usually in serum or plasma. The laboratory quantifies the sulfate-bound hormone and reports it as a numeric DHEA-Sulfate test result, often in mcg/dL or µg/dL depending on the lab. DHEA-S on a blood test is then compared with the lab’s DHEA-Sulfate reference range.

How to Prepare

No fasting is usually required for a DHEA-Sulfate test. The result is usually interpreted using the lab’s age- and sex-specific reference interval.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the normal range for DHEA-Sulfate?
The DHEA-Sulfate normal range depends on age, sex, and the lab method. For many U.S. labs, adult male ranges are roughly 80 to 560 mcg/dL and adult female ranges are roughly 35 to 430 mcg/dL. A DHEA-S test should always be read against the reference range printed on the lab report.
What does DHEA-S stand for?
DHEA-S stands for dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. It is the sulfate-bound form of DHEA-S that circulates in blood. On a DHEA-S on a blood test, the abbreviation usually refers to this hormone value.
What does a high DHEA-Sulfate mean on a lab report?
A high DHEA-Sulfate on a lab report means the measured value is above the lab’s DHEA-Sulfate normal range. This can reflect higher adrenal hormone output, DHEA supplement use, or other factors that increase the measured concentration. The exact meaning depends on the DHEA-S test method and the reference interval used.
What does a low DHEA-Sulfate mean on a lab report?
A low DHEA-Sulfate on a lab report means the value is below the lab’s reference interval. It can reflect lower adrenal hormone production, age-related decline, medication effects, or dilution from higher plasma volume. The DHEA-Sulfate test result is interpreted with age and sex in mind.
Can hydration affect DHEA-Sulfate?
Yes. Hydration can affect a DHEA-Sulfate test result by changing plasma volume, which can concentrate or dilute the measured value. The effect is usually modest, but it can influence a DHEA-Sulfate on a lab report near the edge of the normal range.
What is the difference between DHEA-Sulfate and testosterone?
DHEA-Sulfate is a precursor steroid made mainly by the adrenal glands, while testosterone is a downstream androgen with different transport and use in the body. They are often reviewed together because they describe related parts of steroid hormone production. A DHEA-S test does not measure testosterone.
What unit is DHEA-Sulfate measured in?
DHEA-Sulfate is commonly reported in mcg/dL or µg/dL, depending on the lab. Some systems may display other unit formats, but U.S. reports often use micrograms per deciliter. The unit on the DHEA-Sulfate on a lab report should match the lab’s reference range.
How much can DHEA-Sulfate change between tests?
DHEA-S can change by a small to moderate amount between tests because of normal biologic variation, age, medications, and lab method differences. A result near the edge of the DHEA-Sulfate normal range may move across the cutoff on a repeat draw. The size of the change depends on the person and the testing platform.
Is DHEA-Sulfate different for men and women?
Yes. Adult men usually have a higher DHEA-Sulfate reference range than adult women, so sex-specific ranges are used. That is why the same DHEA-S test result can be interpreted differently across groups.
Why is DHEA-Sulfate tested in a Hormones panel?
DHEA-S is tested in a Hormones panel because it gives a snapshot of adrenal steroid activity. On a DHEA-Sulfate on a lab report, it adds context to other hormone values rather than standing alone. This makes the DHEA-S test useful for pattern review across the panel.
What does DHEA-S mean on a blood test?
What does DHEA-S mean on a blood test? It means the lab measured dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, a circulating adrenal hormone precursor. The DHEA-S test result is compared with the lab’s normal DHEA-Sulfate range and sex-specific reference interval.

Disclaimer

This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendation. Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare professional.

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