Adrenal & stress
DHEA-sulfate
Adrenal androgen precursor; declines with age and reflects chronic adrenal output.
Sample
Serum
Clinical reference range
45 to 270 µg/dL
Adult female 30–39
Conv: 45–270 µg/dL
Biology
What it measures
Sulfated in the zona reticularis; long half-life makes it stable across the day.
Clinical use
Why we order it
PCOS workup (mildly elevated), congenital adrenal hyperplasia and adrenal tumor screen (markedly elevated), hypoadrenalism (very low).
Related