DHEA-Sulfate

The DHEA-Sulfate test is a direct measurement of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels in your blood, a substance primarily produced by the adrenal glands. This critical test is often ordered to check how well your adrenal glands are functioning and whether certain symptoms might point to an underlying adrenal disorder or tumor. High levels of DHEAS can signal conditions like congenital adrenal hyperplasia, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or adrenal tumors (which may be cancerous or noncancerous). Since your body needs DHEAS to produce sex hormones like androgens and estrogen, monitoring these levels is essential for investigating issues related to reproductive health and early puberty. This test provides valuable insight, especially for women experiencing characteristics like facial hair and boys starting puberty too soon.