DHEA-S (Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate): Normal Range, What High & Low Levels Mean

A DHEA-S test measures the level of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate circulating in your blood. DHEA-S is produced mainly by your adrenal glands and acts as a reservoir hormone — your body draws on it to manufacture sex hormones like testosterone and oestrogen in various tissues. Because it is the most abundant circulating steroid hormone in the human body, it offers doctors a reliable way to assess adrenal gland function and overall hormone balance. The test is usually a standard blood draw, and no special preparation is typically required, though you should always follow your lab's instructions. Discuss what your specific result means in the context of your health with your healthcare provider.

Normal DHEA-S levels vary by sex and age. For men aged 18–49, the reference range is 70–490 mcg/dL, while men aged 50 and over fall within 30–310 mcg/dL. For women aged 18–49, the normal range is 45–270 mcg/dL, and for women aged 50 and over, it is 15–170 mcg/dL. These figures are from Mayo Clinic Laboratories. One important thing to keep in mind: DHEA-S naturally declines by roughly 2% per year after your mid-20s, so a lower reading in older adults is expected. Reference ranges can also vary slightly between laboratories, so always check which range applies to your specific test. Talk to your healthcare provider to understand where your result sits.

A high DHEA-S level means your adrenal glands are producing more of this hormone than expected for your age and sex. Several things can drive this up, including congenital adrenal hyperplasia (a genetic condition that causes the adrenal glands to overproduce androgens), adrenal tumours, polycystic ovary syndrome in some women, Cushing's disease, taking DHEA supplements, or even high levels of physical or emotional stress. In women, elevated DHEA-S can sometimes cause symptoms like excess facial hair, acne, or irregular periods. A high result on its own is not a diagnosis — it is a signal that warrants further investigation. Please discuss your result with your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate next steps.

Low DHEA-S levels can have several causes. Addison's disease, a condition where the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones, is one possibility. Hypopituitarism — where the pituitary gland underproduces the hormone that stimulates the adrenals — can also lead to low levels. Other causes include long-term use of corticosteroid medications, type 2 diabetes, anorexia nervosa, severe malnutrition, and the natural process of ageing, since DHEA-S declines steadily throughout adult life. A low result does not automatically mean something is seriously wrong, especially in older adults, but it does give your doctor useful information. Your healthcare provider is best placed to interpret your specific result and decide whether any follow-up is needed.

Symptoms depend on whether your DHEA-S is high or low. High levels in women can cause excess facial or body hair (called hirsutism), acne, irregular menstrual periods, a deepened voice, or thinning of scalp hair. In men, high DHEA-S may be associated with acne or changes in mood. In children, it can trigger early development of pubic hair. Low DHEA-S, on the other hand, may be connected to fatigue and low energy, reduced sex drive, mood changes including depression or a reduced sense of wellbeing, decreased muscle mass, and dry skin. If low DHEA-S occurs alongside low cortisol, symptoms of adrenal insufficiency may also be present. Always discuss any symptoms you're experiencing with your healthcare provider.

Whether you need to retest and how frequently depends entirely on why your doctor ordered the test in the first place, and what your initial result showed. If your DHEA-S was outside the normal range, your doctor may want a follow-up test to confirm the result or to track how levels change over time, particularly if you are being treated for an underlying condition or have adjusted medications. Because DHEA-S declines naturally with age, periodic monitoring can also help identify changes that are meaningful versus those that are simply part of normal ageing. There is no universal retesting schedule that applies to everyone. Your healthcare provider is the right person to advise you on a monitoring plan suited to your individual situation.