DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULPHATE - plasma or serum

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Specimen: 5 mL blood in a lithium heparin or plain tube.

Method: Immunoassay. Some laboratories measure DHEA, rather than DHEAS.

Reference Interval: Age dependent.

Adult female, premenopausal: 1-11 µmol/L.

Application: Investigation of infertility, hirsutism, and virilisation in females.

Interpretation: Elevated levels indicate an adrenal origin of androgens, typically congenital adrenal hyperplasia or adrenal tumour. Slight elevations may be of no clinical significance.

Reference: Siegel SF et al. N Engl J Med 1990; 323: 849-854.

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