Hormones
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS)
DHEA-S, DHEA sulfate
Included in Baseline and Complete.
Compare membershipsAn adrenal hormone that changes with age.
DHEAS is a hormone made mostly by your adrenal glands. Your body can convert it into testosterone and estrogen, so it helps show how much androgen (male-type hormone) your adrenal glands are producing, in both women and men.
Levels naturally fall as you age.
DHEAS is highest in young adulthood and declines steadily after that, so your result is compared with ranges for your age and sex. A lower level in your fifties than in your twenties is expected.
In women, higher levels can be associated with acne, excess hair growth, or irregular periods, and may point to PCOS or, less often, an adrenal condition. In men, most testosterone comes from the testes, so DHEAS plays a smaller role. Low levels can sometimes reflect reduced adrenal or pituitary function, or the use of steroid medicines.
DHEAS is best compared with people your own age.
Questions
Should I take DHEA if my level is low?
That's a decision for you and your clinician. There's no reliable evidence that DHEA supplements prevent aging-related conditions, and a low result is usually interpreted with your age, symptoms, and other hormone results first.
How is DHEAS different from cortisol?
Both come from the adrenal glands, and they do different jobs. Cortisol helps manage stress, blood sugar, and blood pressure, while DHEAS mainly serves as a building block for sex hormones. Looking at both gives a broader view of adrenal activity.