Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate - plasma or serum
Last updated: Wednesday, 07, April, 2004
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 5 mL blood in a lithium heparin or plain tube. |
| Method | Immunoassay. Some laboratories measure DHEA, rather than DHEAS. |
| Reference Interval | Age dependent. Adult female, premenopausal: 1-11 µmol/L. |
| Application | Investigation of infertility, hirsutism, and virilisation in females. |
| Interpretation | Elevated levels indicate an adrenal origin of androgens, typically congenital adrenal hyperplasia or adrenal tumour. Slight elevations may be of no clinical significance. |
| Reference | Siegel SF et al. N Engl J Med 1990; 323(13): 849-854. |