Clinical Significance:
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid produced by the adrenal glands and is the most abundant one found in humans. The circulating DHEAS originates almost entirely from the adrenals, though in men some may derive from testes, partly accounting for the sex difference, which emerges at about age 15. The ovaries even under pathological conditions do not produce this hormone. DHEA may be transformed into testosterone, estrogen or other steroids. It is found in the body as DHEA or in the sulfated form known as DHEA-S. One form is converted into the other as needed.
Measurement of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, an adrenal steroid is important to investigations of abnormal hair growth (hirsutism) and balding (alopecia) in women. It is also of value in the assessment of adrenarche and delayed puberty. DHEAS can metabolize to more potent androgens like androstenedione and testosterone. This test is used to evaluate the function of the adrenal glands, DHEA-sulfate is a weak androgen (male hormone) that is produced by the adrenal cortex in both men and women. The adrenal gland in one of the major sources of androgens in women (the other being the ovaries which produce testosterone).
