Test Code Billings Clinic: 8823 Mayo: DHEA Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), Serum
Reporting Name
Dehydroepiandrosterone, SPerforming Laboratory

Useful For
Diagnosing and differential diagnosis of hyperandrogenism (in conjunction with measurements of other sex steroids)
An initial screen in adults might include dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)/dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and bioavailable testosterone measurement. Depending on results, this may be supplemented with measurements of sex hormone-binding globulin and occasionally other androgenic steroids (eg, 17-hydroxyprogesterone).
An adjunct in the diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH); DHEA/DHEAS measurements play a secondary role to the measurements of cortisol/cortisone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, and androstenedione.
Diagnosing and differential diagnosis of premature adrenarche
Testing Algorithm
See Steroid Pathways in Special Instructions.
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Portions of this test are covered by patent(s) held by Quest Diagnostics
Necessary Information
Patient's age and sex are required.
Specimen Required
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Specimen Type
SerumSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.50 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Serum | Frozen (preferred) | 28 days | |
Refrigerated | 21 days | ||
Ambient | 6 hours |
Reject Due To
Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Gross lipemia | Reject |
Gross icterus | OK |
Other | Serum gel tube |
Reference Values
Premature: <40 ng/mL*
0-1 day: <11 ng/mL*
2-6 days: <8.7 ng/mL*
7 days-1 month: <5.8 ng/mL*
>1-23 months: <2.9 ng/mL*
2-5 years: <2.3 ng/mL
6-10 years: <3.4 ng/mL
11-14 years: <5.0 ng/mL
15-18 years: <6.6 ng/mL
19-30 years: <13 ng/mL
31-40 years: <10 ng/mL
41-50 years: <8.0 ng/mL
51-60 years: <6.0 ng/mL
≥61 years: <5.0 ng/mL
*Source: Dehydroepiandrosterone. In Pediatric Reference Ranges. Fifth edition. Edited by SJ Soldin, C Brugnara, EC Wong. Washington, DC, AACC Press, 2005, p 75
For SI unit Reference Values, see https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/order-tests/si-unit-conversion.html
Day(s) and Time(s) Performed
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; 9 a.m.
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
82626
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
DHEA_ | Dehydroepiandrosterone, S | 2193-1 |
Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
81405 | Dehydroepiandrosterone, S | 2193-1 |