Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA - SO4) in the blood (chromatography)
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DEA-SO4) is an androgen, a male sex hormone that is found in the blood in both men and women. It is key to the formation of secondary sexual characteristics in males during puberty and can be converted to testosterone and estradiol. The production of DEA-SO4 occurs in the adrenal cortex and is regulated by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
DEA-SO4 serves as an important marker for the assessment of adrenal function. Tumours, adrenal cancer and hyperplasia can cause excess production of this hormone. In men, increased levels of DEA-SO4 may go undetected, while in women it can lead to amenorrhoea and masculinisation.
Excess production of DEA-SO4 in children may contribute to precocious puberty in boys, as well as cause genital anomalies, increased hair loss in girls and menstrual irregularities.
Elevated levels are observed in:
- adrenogenital syndrome;
- tumours of the adrenal cortex;
- ectopic ACTH-producing tumours;
- Cushing's disease (hypothalamic-pituitary);
- fetoplacental insufficiency;
- hirsutism in women;
- threat of intrauterine fetal death.
A decrease in the level is observed when:
- Fetal adrenal hypoplasia (concentration in the blood of a pregnant woman);
- intrauterine infection;
- taking gestagens.