Plasma

Plasma Separator Tube 4.5 mL

Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection containers.

3 mL whole blood in light green top tube or TWO Microtainer^® devices.

24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.

1 hour (upon receipt in laboratory)

   Age                Male μg/dL       Female μg/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

This assay may be significantly impacted by high-dose biotin (>5 mg dose) taken within previous 12 hours. High concentrations of biotin may lead to falsely increased results. These concentrations may be found in patients taking over-the-counter supplements with biotin content much higher than nutritional requirements for biotin. Specimens should not be collected until at least 12 hours after the last dose.

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 work-up of:
  Hirsutism and amenorrhea (the most common sign of increased adrenal
  androgen production by women)

  Polycystic ovarian syndrome, where high DHEA-S levels are often
  encountered.  However, levels greater than 700-800 μg/dL in
  women may be suggestive of a hormone secreting adrenal tumor.

  Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

The assay is unaffected by icterus (bilirubin less than 13 mg/dL), 
hemolysis (Hb less than 560 mg/dL), lipemia (Intralipid less than 2000 
mg/dL) and biotin less than 30 ng/mL (criterion: recovery within plus 
or minus 10% of initial value). 

No interference was observed from rheumatoid factors up to a 
concentration of 600 U/mL.

Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay

Centrifuge at a speed and time necessary to get barrier separation of plasma/serum and cells within 1 hour of collection. Send specimen in original tube. Do Not transfer to another tube.
Each sample must be labeled with at least TWO full patient identifiers (First/Last Name & DOB are sufficient for non-UIHC affiliated clients) to avoid sample rejection/delays.

Refrigerate.
All sample storage requirements are intended for delivery to UIHC within 24 hours of collection for testing. If samples won't arrive in this time period, please call the UIHC Core Lab for alternative storage/shipping instructions (319-356-3527).

Place labeled specimen into zip-lock type biohazard bag; seal bag.
Place completed requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Transport in cooler with refrigerated coolant packs.

See Additional Information:
Biotin Interference with Immunoassays