DHEA is produced in the adrenal cortex from pregnenolone. The half-life of DHEA is only about 30 minutes while the sulfated form lasts much longer. About 95% of DHEA is in the DHEA-S form. DHEA-S is used to produce estrogens and androgens in the adrenal glands, ovaries and testes. DHEA reaches the highest level at about age 25. By the age of 80, the DHEA level is only about 20% of the younger age. DHEA is involved in many health conditions including obesity, arthritis, lupus, hypertension, cancer, stress, atherosclerosis, Cushing's syndrome, sleep disorders, dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
REFERENCES:
- Rosenfield RS, Rosenberg BJ, et al. 24-hour secretory pattern of DHEA and DHEA-S. J Clin Endocrin Metab, 1975, 40:850-855.
- Rosenfield RS, Hellman L, Gallager TF. Metabolism and interconversion of DHEA and DHEA-S. J Clin Endocrin Metab, 1972, 35:187-193.
- Namiki M. Aged people and stress. Jap J Geriatrics, 1994, 31:85-95.
- Nestler JE, Clore JN, Blackard WG. DHEA: the "missing link" between hyperinsulinism and atherosclerosis? FASEBJ, 1992, 6(12), 3073-3075.
- CPT CODE:
- 82627
- COLLECTION CONTAINER:
- SST or red-stopper tube
- COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS:
- LDHEA-DHEA-S.pdf
- STATE & SHIPPING RESTRICTIONS:
- We cannot ship lab kits to NY, AK, HI, or international
- MINIMUM VOLUME:
- 0.1 mL
- NORMAL VALUES:
- The normal range established in our laboratory for DHEA-S is by age and gender of the individual. This will be reported on the patientÆs report.
- PATIENT PREP:
- None
- PROCESS METHOD:
- The methodology is by RIA.
- PROCESS TIME:
- 5 to 7 business days
- REJECTION CAUSES:
- Gross Hemolysis
- SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
- None
- SPECIMEN VOLUME:
- 0.5 mL serum
- TRANSPORT CONTAINER:
- Plastic transport tube
- TRANSPORT INSTRUCTIONS:
- Refrigerate or freeze
