Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), Serum

Additional Information:

UFHPL Epic order code: LAB522

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid that is produced by both the adrenal cortex and the testis.3 The levels of this steroid increase before the onset of puberty (adrenarche) and decrease significantly with age.4 DHEA and DHEA-S are the major precursors of 17-ketosteroids.

CPT Code(s):

82626

Specimen Requirements:

Type: Serum
Container/Tube: Red-top tube or gel-barrier tube

  • If a red-top tube is used, transfer the separated serum to a plastic transport tube.

Sample Volume: 1 mL

Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL (Repeat testing is not possible with this specimen volume.)

Storage: Refrigerate specimens after collection.

Stability (collection to time of analysis/testing):

  • Ambient: 6 hours
  • Refrigerated: 14 days
  • Frozen: 14 days
  • Freeze/Thaw cycles: Stable (x3)

Use:

This test is used to evaluate adrenal carcinomas that frequently secrete large amounts of DHEA.

Methodology:

Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS)

Reference Values:

Reference Intervals

Age (Years) Range (ng/dL)
0 − 5 0 − 67
6 − 7 0 − 110
8 − 10 0 − 185
11 − 12 0 − 201
13 − 14 0 − 318
15 − 16 39 − 481
17 − 19 40 − 491
> 19 31 − 701

Performed:

Monday - Friday

Interpretation Data:

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid that is produced by both the adrenal cortex and the testis.3 The levels of this steroid increase before the onset of puberty (adrenarche) and decrease significantly with age.4 DHEA and DHEA-S are the major precursors of 17-ketosteroids.