Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
| Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) | | | |
| Number | | 004101 |
| CPT | | 82626 |
| Synonyms | | DHEA ; Unconjugated DHEA |
| Special Instructions | | See the Endocrine Appendix for instructions on multiple specimen testing. |
| Specimen | | Serum or plasma |
| Volume | | 0.3 mL |
Minimum Volume | | 0.2 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for
repeat testing.) |
| Container | | Red-top tube, gel-barrier tube, or lavender-top (EDTA) tube |
| Collection | | If tube other than a gel-barrier tube is used, transfer separated serum or plasma to a plastic transport tube. |
| Storage Instructions | | Refrigerate |
| Patient Preparation | | No isotopes administered 24 hours prior to venipuncture |
| Causes for Rejection | | Gross lipemia; recently administered isotopes |
| Reference Interval | | See table.1,2
Age
(y) | Male
(ng/dL) | Female
(ng/dL) | | 0-5 | 26-72 | 19-42 | | 6-7 | 29-66 | 73-165 | | 8-9 | 53-135 | 74-180 | | 10-11 | 183-383 | 234-529 | | 12-14 | 240-520 | 224-611 | | 20-29 | 208-771 | 162-995 | | 30-39 | 146-850 | 112-722 | | 40-49 | 107-745 | 110-554 | | 50-59 | 131-538 | 69-414 | | 60-69 | 82-338 | 60-370 | | >70 | 69-252 | 63-260 | | Tanner Stage | | I | 31-345 | 31-345 | | II | 110-495 | 150-570 | | III | 170-585 | 200-600 | | IV | 160-640 | 200-780 | | V | 250-900 | 215-850 |
|
| Use | | Evaluate adrenal carcinomas which frequently secrete large amounts of DHEA |
| Methodology | | Radioimmunoassay (RIA) |
| Additional Information | | Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid which is produced by both the adrenal cortex and testis.3 The levels of this steroid increase before the onset of puberty (adrenarche), and decrease significantly with age.4 DHEA and DHEA-S are the major precursors of 17-ketosteroids. |
| Footnotes | | - Ducharme JR, Forest MG, De Peretti E, et al, “Plasma Adrenal and Gonadal Sex Steroids in Human Pubertal Development,” J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1976, 42(3):468-76.
- Tietz NW, ed, Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests, 3rd ed, Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Co, 1995, 195-6.
- de Peretti E and Forest M, “Unconjugated Dehydroepiandrosterone Plasma Levels in Normal Subjects From Birth to Adolescence in Humans: The Use of a Sensitive Radioimmunoassay,” J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1976, 43(5):982-91.
- Carlstrom K, Brady S, Lunell NO, et al, “Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate and Dehydroepiandrosterone in Serum: Differences Related to Age and Sex, ” Maturitas, 1988, 10(4):297-306
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