DHEA-S (DHEA sulfate) test
- Updated
- 2026-09-10
- Every number with its source
What DHEA-S is
DHEA sulfate (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) is a hormone produced almost exclusively by the adrenal cortex. Unlike most other hormones, whose blood levels swing over the course of the day, the DHEA-S concentration stays fairly stable, which is why it is considered a more convenient marker of adrenal androgen production than plain DHEA. The body uses DHEA-S as raw material for making the sex hormones testosterone and oestrogens, in women and in men alike. DHEA-S levels are naturally highest in young adulthood and fall gradually with age. The test is most often done to assess adrenal function when a woman shows signs of excess male hormones (increased hair growth, acne, menstrual irregularities), when a child shows early puberty, or when an adrenal or ovarian tumour is suspected. DHEA-S is often assessed together with testosterone, other sex hormones and, where needed, imaging of the adrenal glands.
Reference ranges
| Group | Range, µmol/l | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women, 18–29 years 45–320 µg/dl, converted (MedlinePlus) | 1.2–8.7 | MedlinePlus Reviewed 2026-01-25 | |
| Women, 30–39 years 40–325 µg/dl, converted (MedlinePlus) | 1.1–8.8 | MedlinePlus Reviewed 2026-01-25 | |
| Women, 40–49 years 25–220 µg/dl, converted (MedlinePlus) | 0.7–6.0 | MedlinePlus Reviewed 2026-01-25 | |
| Women, 50–59 years 15–170 µg/dl, converted (MedlinePlus) | 0.4–4.6 | MedlinePlus Reviewed 2026-01-25 | |
| Women, over 59 years Below 145 µg/dl, converted (MedlinePlus) | up to 3.9 | MedlinePlus Reviewed 2026-01-25 | |
| Men, 18–29 years 110–510 µg/dl, converted (MedlinePlus) | 3.0–14.0 | MedlinePlus Reviewed 2026-01-25 | |
| Men, 30–39 years 110–370 µg/dl, converted (MedlinePlus) | 3.0–10.0 | MedlinePlus Reviewed 2026-01-25 | |
| Men, 40–49 years 45–345 µg/dl, converted (MedlinePlus) | 1.2–9.4 | MedlinePlus Reviewed 2026-01-25 | |
| Men, 50–59 years 25–240 µg/dl, converted (MedlinePlus) | 0.7–6.5 | MedlinePlus Reviewed 2026-01-25 | |
| Men, over 59 years Below 204 µg/dl, converted (MedlinePlus) | up to 5.5 | MedlinePlus Reviewed 2026-01-25 | |
According to MedlinePlus, the DHEA-S range for adult women depends on age: 18–29 years — 1.2–8.7 µmol/l, 30–39 years — 1.1–8.8 µmol/l, 40–49 years — 0.7–6.0 µmol/l, 50–59 years — 0.4–4.6 µmol/l, and for women older than 59 the upper limit reaches up to 3.9 µmol/l. The source separately gives ranges for men, which are higher in the same age groups (for example, up to 14.0 µmol/l for men aged 18–29), but the MedlinePlus table does not explain why the limits for men and women differ. Only separate figures by sex and age are given. Your result therefore has to be compared with the range for your own age group and sex printed on your laboratory report, because different laboratories may use slightly different limits.
According to MedlinePlus, the DHEA-S range for adult men also depends on age: 18–29 years — 3.0–14.0 µmol/l, 30–39 years — 3.0–10.0 µmol/l, 40–49 years — 1.2–9.4 µmol/l, 50–59 years — 0.7–6.5 µmol/l, and for men older than 59 the upper limit reaches up to 5.5 µmol/l. These limits are higher than those given for the women's groups at the same ages (for example, up to 8.7 µmol/l for women aged 18–29), but MedlinePlus does not comment on the physiology behind this difference between the sexes — only separate figures by sex and age are given. So it matters that the result is compared with the range for your own sex and age group printed on your laboratory report, because limits can differ slightly between laboratories.
When DHEA-S is tested
- In women, when signs of excess male hormones appear — increased hair growth on the face or body, acne, thinning hair on the scalp, voice changes
- When the menstrual cycle is disrupted and polycystic ovary syndrome or another hormonal cause is suspected
- In children, when early (precocious) puberty is seen
- When an adrenal or ovarian tumour is suspected
- To assess adrenal function, when adrenal insufficiency or another adrenal disease is suspected
- When sex drive has dropped and a hormonal cause is being looked into
How to prepare
- No special preparation is needed
- It is important to tell your doctor if you take vitamins or food supplements containing DHEA or DHEA sulfate — they can affect the result
General points that apply to any blood sample are collected in a separate article on how to prepare for a blood test.
A raised DHEA-S
A raised DHEA-S is taken to indicate increased androgen production by the adrenal cortex, according to MedlinePlus. The most common causes are congenital adrenal hyperplasia, an adrenal tumour and polycystic ovary syndrome; in rarer cases the cause can also be an ovarian tumour. In women this may show up as increased hair growth and other signs of excess male hormones. Further hormone tests and imaging help establish the exact cause.
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia — an inherited adrenal disease
- An adrenal tumour
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Early (precocious) puberty
- An ovarian tumour (a rare cause)
Symptoms that may accompany a raised level: increased hair growth on the face and body, voice changes, menstrual cycle irregularities, acne, increased muscle mass, thinning hair on the scalp.
- Whether the symptoms (excess hair growth, menstrual irregularities) fit the result — worth discussing with a doctor
- Other sex hormones (testosterone, LH, FSH) help narrow the cause down
- Imaging of the adrenal glands or ovaries, if a tumour is suspected
- When to repeat the test to assess the change
A low DHEA-S
A low DHEA-S is taken to indicate reduced adrenal androgen production, according to MedlinePlus. The most common causes are disorders of adrenal function (for example, Addison's disease), disorders of pituitary function (hypopituitarism) and some medicines from the glucocorticoid group. An age-related fall in the level may be linked to a reduced sex drive.
- Disorders of adrenal function, for example Addison's disease
- A disorder of pituitary function (hypopituitarism)
- Medicines from the glucocorticoid group
- The natural age-related decline in DHEA-S
Symptoms that may accompany a low level: unexplained weight loss, nausea, dizziness, dehydration, craving salty food, a reduced sex drive (in the case of the age-related decline).
Reading the result
A single DHEA-S figure does not name a cause on its own: the exact cause is established by a doctor together with further hormone tests and, where needed, imaging. Since the limits depend on sex and age and can differ slightly between laboratories, compare the number with the range on your own report — the same logic that applies to reading blood test results generally.
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Frequently asked questions
›What is the normal DHEA-S range?
According to MedlinePlus, the range for adult women runs from 0.4 µmol/l (over 59 years) to 8.8 µmol/l (30–39 years), and for men from 0.7 µmol/l (over 59 years) to 14.0 µmol/l (18–29 years). The range depends on age and sex, so the exact interval has to be compared with the range given on your own laboratory report.
›How is DHEA-S different from testosterone?
DHEA-S is a hormone made by the adrenal glands that the body uses as raw material for making testosterone and oestrogens. Testosterone is the final sex hormone and DHEA-S is its precursor, which is why the two tests are sometimes assessed together, especially when looking into the cause of excess male hormones.
›Why is DHEA-S tested in women with excess hair growth or menstrual irregularities?
A raised DHEA-S indicates increased adrenal androgen production, which can cause excess hair growth, acne and menstrual cycle irregularities. According to MedlinePlus, the most common causes of such a rise are polycystic ovary syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia or an adrenal tumour; in rarer cases the cause can also be an ovarian tumour.
›Does DHEA-S fall with age?
Yes. The MedlinePlus reference tables show that both the upper and the lower DHEA-S limit fall with each age group, in women and in men alike — the level is highest in young adulthood and drops gradually at older ages.
›Do I need any special preparation for a DHEA-S test?
According to MedlinePlus, no special preparation is needed. You do, however, have to tell your doctor if you take vitamins or food supplements containing DHEA or DHEA sulfate, because they can affect the result.
›What does a low DHEA-S mean?
A low DHEA-S is taken to indicate reduced adrenal androgen production. According to MedlinePlus, this can be linked to disorders of adrenal function (for example Addison's disease), pituitary disorders or some medicines from the glucocorticoid group — the exact cause is established by a doctor together with further tests.
Sources
Related markers
This site is not an emergency service. If severe chest or head pain, breathlessness, confusion, difficulty speaking, heavy bleeding or another acute problem has come on suddenly — do not wait for tests, call 112.
This information is not a diagnosis and does not replace a consultation with a doctor. Reference ranges depend on the laboratory, your age and sex — always compare your result with the range printed on your own report.