Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), LC/MS-MS

Evaluate adrenal carcinomas that frequently secrete large amounts of DHEA

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by LabCorp. It has not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid that is produced by both the adrenal cortex and the 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.

1. 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):468-476. PubMed 130382

2. Tietz NW, ed. Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders Co;1995:195-196.

3. de Peretti E, 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):982-991. PubMed 186482

4. 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. PubMed 2976116