| Field Name |
Data Description |
| Test Name |
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Level (DHEA-S) |
| Code |
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Level.,DHEA S. |
|
CPT Code |
82627 |
| Last Modified |
3/20/2018 3:25:00 PM |
| Test Name |
DHEA S. |
| Synonyms |
DHEA-SO4 |
| Patient Preparation |
|
| Spec. Requirements |
Blood |
| Tube |
Gold or Red |
| Collection Volume |
3.5 mL Gold or 4.0 mL Red |
| Storage |
Frozen, Refrigerator, Ambient 14 days |
| Routine TAT |
2-5 days |
| STAT TAT |
N/A |
| Days Test Performed |
Monday, Wednesday, Friday |
| Performed by BHS |
None |
| See Availability |
|
| Reference Lab |
LabCorp of America |
| Reference Lab Code |
004020 Dehydroepiandrosterone-Sulfate (DHEA-S) |
| Clinical Use |
Work up women with infertility, amenorrhea, or hirsutism, to identify the source of excessive androgen; aid in the evaluation of androgen excess (hirsutism and/or virilization), including Stein-Leventhal syndrome and adrenocortical diseases, including congenital adrenal hyperplasia and adrenal tumor. DHEA-S is not increased with hypopituitarism. It is low in Addison's disease. DHEA-S is a steroid hormone which is produced from the precursor cholesterol in the zona reticularis and broad fascia of the adrenal cortex. The determination of elevated DHEA-S values is an important aid in the diagnosis of hirsutism and virilism. In addition to a differential diagnosis of hirsutism and virilism, further indications for this parameter are all forms of androgeniz- ation, hyperprolactinemia, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and the exclusion of an androgen-producing tumor of the adrenal cortex. DHEA-S exhibits only a weak androgenic activity but can be metabolized to more active androgens, such as androstenedione and testosterone, which can indirectly causehirsutism and virilism. From 7 years of age onwards, an increase in DHEA-S levels is observed which then gradually after the age of 30 begins to fall again. Only elevated DHEA-S concentrationsare of clinical importance; other factors which can be responsible for DHEA-S excess production are genetic enzyme defects of the adrenal cortex (adrenogenital syndrome), hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex, as well as androgen- producing tumors.The rate of secretion of DHEA-S into the blood stream is only slightly more than the rate observed for DHEA. As a consequence of the DHEA-S half-life of approximately one day, the DHEA-S level is, however, about a thousand-fold greater. DHEA-S is relatively strongly bound to albumin, only a small portion is non-protein bound, and none appears to be bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Due to its high concentration and low inter- and intra-day variability, DHEA-S is an excellent indicator of adrenal cortex androgen production. Together with testosterone, DHEA-S assays represent the assay of choice for initial screening tests to determine whether androgen values are elevated in hirsutism. Approximately 84% of the women suffering from hirsutism exhibit elevated androgen levels. The main purpose of this is to exclude the presence of androgen-producing tumors (from the adrenal cortex or the ovaries). |
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| Testing Sample Type |
Serum |
| Min Lab Testing Volume |
1.0 mL |
| Special Handling |
If Red tube is used, transfer separated serum into a plastic transfer tube. |
| Lab Notes |
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| Methodology |
ECL or ECL - Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay |
| Limitations |
In patients receiving therapy with high biotin doses (ie, >5 mg/day), no sample should be taken until at least eight hours after the last biotin administration. As with all tests containing monoclonal mouse antibodies, erroneous findings may be obtained from samples taken from patients who have been treated with monoclonal mouse antibodies or who have received them for diagnostic purposes. In rare cases, interference due to extremely high titers of antibodies to streptavidin and ruthenium can occur. The test contains additives that minimize these effects.
Causes for Rejection:Citrate plasma specimen; improper labeling
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