DHEA Sulphate

Diagnostic Use

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate is produced by the adrenal cortex and is a precursor steroid for Testosterone and Oestrogen. DHAS is the predominant steroid in the adult adrenal complex and the major adrenal androgen circulating in plasma. Elevated levels may be diagnostic in adrenal tumours and are of value in the diagnosis of virilizing tumours in hirsute women.

Department

Endocrinology Lab

Delphic Registration Code

DHAS

Synonyms

Adrenal Androgen Sulphates
Androgen Sulphates
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate

Turnaround Time

7 days

Test Code

5030

Specimen Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Serum (Red Cap)

Preferred if West Coast

• SST II (Gold Cap)

Acceptable

• SST II (Gold Cap)
• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
• Lithium Heparin - Gel (Light Green Cap)
• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

1

Additional Specimen Information

Serum or plasma stability;
Ambient up to 5 days.
Chilled (2-8 degrees) - 14 days.
Frozen - 12 months.

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Minimum Volume (ml)

0.5

Transport to Lab

Frozen

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

West Coast: If specimen is unable to be separated, take blood on SST/PST and send ambient to Greymouth Lab.
Can send ambient if 5 days.

Reference Intervals

Age	Lower reference limit (umol/L)	Upper reference limit (umol/L)
Pre-adolescence
<1 week	2.9	17
1-4 weeks	0.9	12
1-12 months	N/A	3.4
1-4 years	N/A	0.5
5-9 years	N/A	2.3
Male
10-14 years	0.7	6.7
15-45 years	1.9	13.4
46-75 years	0.9	9
>75 years	0.4	3.3
Female
10-14 years	1	7.6
15-45 years	1.7	11
46-75 years	0.3	7
>75 years	0.3	4.2

Reference intervals sourced from manufacturers data.

Test Method

Roche Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay

Non-Funded Test Cost

$33.44 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

5030

Contact Information

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