DHEA-Sulfate

DHEA‑Sulfate is an adrenal hormone that helps assess androgen balance and adrenal health.

Last reviewedJune 16, 2026

Serum

sample type

~5 mL

blood needed

~7 days

results in app

Any time of day

best timing

INCLUDED WITH ANIVA

199 € / year

0.55 € a day

Get Started

100+ biomarkers. Cheaper than a comparable test at your doctor. Guaranteed, or we match the price.

German PKV insurance usually reimburses.

On this page

Why test Reference ranges What you'll learn What affects it How testing works Sources FAQ

In short

DHEA-sulfate, or DHEA-S, is a hormone made mainly by the adrenal glands. It serves as a building block that the body can convert into other sex hormones, including testosterone and oestrogen. Levels are highest in young adulthood and fall steadily with age.

Stress & Adrenal

Reviewed against DGKL reference practice.

Why test this?

DHEA-S is a stable marker of adrenal androgen production because its level stays fairly steady through the day. It is used when looking into excess male-pattern hair growth or acne in women, early puberty, and possible adrenal problems.

High DHEA-S can come from the adrenal glands and contributes to androgen excess in conditions like PCOS or, rarely, an adrenal tumour. Low DHEA-S can reflect adrenal insufficiency or simply older age.

What is a normal result?

Aniva reads your result against research-backed ranges, not just the lab's wide normal. The reference shown below is specific to this biomarker.

Adult reference values as used by Aniva. Ranges are guidance and can vary by laboratory and method.

Group	Normal range
Men, age 20 to 34	160 to 492 µg/dL
Men, age 34 to 44	88.9 to 427 µg/dL
Men, age 44 to 74	33.6 to 331 µg/dL
Men, age from 74	16.2 to 123 µg/dL
Women, age 20 to 34	98.8 to 407 µg/dL
Women, age 34 to 44	60.9 to 337 µg/dL
Women, age 44 to 74	9.4 to 256 µg/dL
Women, age from 74	12 to 154 µg/dL

Your Aniva report reads your result against these values together with your age, sex and the rest of your panel.

Ranges are guidance and vary by lab and assay, aligned with DGKL practice. Always read your result against your own lab's reference interval.

What insights will this test give you?

Your result shows how much adrenal androgen your body is making. It helps pinpoint whether signs of androgen excess come from the adrenal glands rather than the ovaries, and it adds context for hormonal balance.

What can affect this result?

What can skew the result

Levels fall naturally with age, so age matched ranges are essential. DHEA supplements raise levels. High-dose biotin supplements can interfere with certain assays. A clearly high result may prompt imaging to rule out an adrenal cause.

Best interpreted with

Best read together with total testosterone, SHBG, and, where relevant, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and cortisol.

How is this tested?

Sample

Serum

Blood needed

~5 mL

Method

Immunoassay

Best timing

Any time of day

Sources. The evidence behind this

LOINC 2191-5, DHEA-sulfate in serum or plasma

Mayo Clinic Laboratories, DHEA-Sulfate

Endocrine Society, patient resources

Common questions

What do my DHEA‑S results mean? Higher values suggest extra adrenal androgen activity; lower values may reflect reduced adrenal output or certain medicines. Age and sex affect ranges.

Do I need to fast for this test? No. Fasting is not required for DHEA‑S testing.

What can affect my result? DHEA supplements, steroid medicines, birth control pills, high‑dose biotin, illness, and intense exercise may change or skew results.

How often should I test DHEA‑S? Most people test only when symptoms or treatment plans call for it. Your clinician may repeat it to confirm changes.

How long do results take? Results are usually ready in about 7 days.

What should I discuss with my clinician? Share symptoms, cycle details, and all medicines or supplements. Ask whether related hormone tests are recommended.

Which Aniva panels include this marker?

Core

Your annual full-body baseline with more than 100 biomarkers, included in your Aniva membership.