TEST ID DHEA_ Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), Serum
Reporting Name
Dehydroepiandrosterone, SSpecimen Type
Serum RedNecessary Information
Patient's age and sex are required.
Specimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube: Red top (serum gel/SST are not acceptable)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum to a plastic vial.
Additional Information: Requests for this test cannot be added to a previously received specimen.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Serum Red | Frozen (preferred) | 28 days | |
Refrigerated | 21 days | ||
Ambient | 6 hours |
Special Instructions
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Portions of this test are covered by patents held by Quest Diagnostics
Reject Due To
Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Gross lipemia | Reject |
Gross icterus | OK |
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: Soldin SJ, Brugnara C, Wong Ed, eds. Pediatric Reference Ranges. 5th ed. AACC Press; 2005:75
For International System of Units (SI) conversion for Reference Values, see www.mayocliniclabs.com/order-tests/si-unit-conversion.html
Day(s) Performed
Monday, Thursday
Report Available
2 to 7 daysSpecimen Retention Time
2 weeksPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in RochesterCPT Code Information
82626
Useful For
Diagnosing and differential diagnosis of hyperandrogenism (in conjunction with measurements of other sex steroids)
As an initial screen in adults with bioavailable testosterone measurement that may be supplemented with measurements of sex hormone-binding globulin and occasionally other androgenic steroids (eg, 17-hydroxyprogesterone), depending on results
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