Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate (DHEAS) is the sulphated form of a weak androgen, DHEA, a male sex hormone that is present in the blood of both men and women. It has a role to play in developing male secondary sexual characteristics at puberty, and it can be changed by the body into stronger androgens (male hormones), such as testosterone and androstenedione, or can be changed into the female hormone oestrogen. DHEAS is produced…Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate (DHEAS) is the sulphated form of a weak androgen, DHEA, a male sex hormone that is present in the blood of both men and women. It has a role to play in developing male secondary sexual characteristics at puberty, and it can be changed by the body into stronger androgens (male hormones), such as testosterone and androstenedione, or can be changed into the female hormone oestrogen. DHEAS is produced by the adrenal cortex, the outer layer of the adrenal glands, with much smaller amounts being produced by the woman’s ovaries and man’s testes. DHEAS secretion is controlled by the pituitary hormone adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and by other pituitary factors. Since DHEAS is primarily produced by the adrenal glands, it is useful as a marker for adrenal function. Adrenal cancers, and hyperplasia (excessive growth) can lead to the overproduction of DHEAS but is frequently inappropriately low when an adrenal tumour is present. While elevated concentrations may not be noticed in adult men, they can lead to amenorrhoea and visible symptoms of virilisation in women. These changes vary in severity and may include:a deeper voice hirsutism (increased facial and/or body hair) male pattern baldness increased muscularity acne enlargement of the Adam’s apple DHEAS may be useful in the investigation of precocious puberty in some boys but in girls only in precocious puberty associated with signs of virilisation. DHEAS may also be used in the specialist investigation of disorders of sex development such as in babies with ambiguous genitalia (when difficult to determine whether a baby is boy or girl) or at any point thereafter. A distinct period of puberty, which can occur before the other stages, is called adrenarche. This is activation of the adrenal gland before the ovaries or testicles where a surge of adrenal androgens, primarily DHEAS, can result in some body hair and the change to adult body odour (sweat starts to smell). Premature (early) adrenarche is mostly benign and is more common in girls and children of South Asian and Afro-Caribbean origin. See MoreSee Less
