Adult preferred minimum: 1.0 mL serum or plasma Adult absolute minimum: 0.5 mL serum or plasma Pediatric minimum: 0.2 mL serum or plasma If additional tests are going to be ordered, extra red top tubes may be needed. Please call the lab for consultation.

Age Male ug/dL Female ug/dL 0-6 days 108-607 108-607 7-30 days 32-431 32-431 1-5 months 3-124 3-124 6-35 months 0-33 0-29 3-6 years 0-44 0-47 7-9 years 5-115 5-94 10-14 years 22-332 22-255 15-19 years 88-483 63-373 20-29 years 280-640 65-380 30-39 years 120-520 45-270 40-49 years 95-530 32-240 50-59 years 70-310 26-200 60-69 years 42-290 13-130 70 years and older 28-175 10-90 Tanner Stage I 7-209 7-126 Tanner Stage II 28-260 13-241 Tanner Stage III 39-390 32-446 Tanner Stage IV & V 81-488 65-371

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) is a weak androgen secreted primarily by the "zona reticularis" of the adrenal cortex. Secretion is controlled by ACTH and other pituitary factors. Physiologically, DHEA-S has many roles, including the development of pubic and axillary hair, the development and maintenance of immunocompetence, and as a possible tumor marker. Serum levels of DHEA-S are one thousand times greater than DHEA. DHEA levels show diurnal variation while DHEA-S does not. Levels change slowly due to slow metabolism and low renal clearance. Clinical indications for DHEA-S include: Hirsutism and amenorrhea (the most common sign of increased adrenal androgen production by women) Polycystic ovarian syndrome, where high DHEA-S levels are encountered (levels greater than 700-800 ug/dL in women are suggestive of a hormone secreting adrenal tumor) Cushing's caused by adrenal carcinomas where DHEA-S is elevated, but usually not in Cushing's syndrome caused by a benign adrenal tumor.