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DHEAS

Content Source: Health3 AG
Data Compiled From: Clinical laboratory standards & peer-reviewed research
Quality Assurance: Verified against multiple authoritative sources
Academic Sources: Elmlinger, 2003; Orentreich, 1984; Traish, 2011; Buford, 2008; Labrie, 2001; Rifai, 2022; Weiss, 2009; Maninger, 2009; Khorram, 2010; Kenny, 2010; Valenti, 2009; Paolisso, 1997; Straub, 1998; Friedrich, 2008; Baylis, 2013; Jankowski, 2006; Schmidt, 2005; Simpson, 2002; Weiss, 2011; Orentreich, 1984; Maninger, 2009; Buford, 2008; Villareal, 2006; Baulieu, 2000; Ohlsson, 2010; Labrie, 2001; Finckh, 2005
Last Verified: 2025-12-06
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What is DHEAS?

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is a steroid hormone produced primarily by your adrenal glands that serves as a precursor to both male and female sex hormones. Research has established that it plays crucial roles in energy metabolism, immunity, insulin sensitivity, cognitive function, physiological function, and overall vitality.[Traish, 2011] DHEAS concentrations naturally peak in your 20s and then gradually decline with age, with studies documenting an approximate 1–2% annual decline after age 30.[Orentreich, 1984][Baulieu, 2000] Many health researchers monitor DHEAS as a key marker of hormonal balance due to its age-associated decline pattern. Beyond being just a precursor to other hormones, research has demonstrated that DHEAS supports immune function, metabolism, and may help protect against age-related inflammation.[Traish, 2011]

When DHEAS runs low, research indicates potential physiological effects including inflammatory diseases, sexual dysfunction and bone loss.[Traish, 2011] Physical recovery may be affected, as studies have linked low DHEAS levels with increased mortality risk and various health outcomes in aging populations. Research on elderly men has shown that low DHEAS predicts death from all causes, correlates with markers of cardiovascular risk and may reflect overall health status.[Ohlsson, 2010]

When DHEAS runs high, your body may convert more of this hormone into testosterone and other sex hormones.[Labrie, 2001] This can affect your skin and hair – you might notice increased oiliness, occasional acne breakouts, or changes in hair growth patterns.[Finckh, 2005] For women, this might include unwanted facial or body hair, while men may experience accelerated balding patterns. While slightly elevated levels are usually not a cause for concern, significantly high DHEAS can sometimes signal hormonal imbalances which should prompt further evaluation with your healthcare provider

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Measurement Units

DHEAS can be measured in: mg/L, µg/100mL, µg/dL, µg/L, µg%, µmol/L

Reference Ranges by Age and Gender

Reference ranges represent typical values for healthy individuals. Your healthcare provider must interpret your specific results.

Age Range Gender Unit Optimal Normal Source
15 - 29 Woman​ ng/mL - 1000 - 5000 Orentreich, 1984
15 - 39 Man​ ng/mL - 1500 - 5500 Orentreich, 1984
18 - 29 Woman​ µg/dL - 45 - 320 Rifai, 2022
18 - 29 Man​ µg/dL - 110 - 510 Rifai, 2022
20 - 24 Man​ µg/dL - 152 - 609 Friedrich, 2008
20 - 29 Man​ µmol/L - 4 - 15 Elmlinger, 2003
25 - 29 Man​ µg/dL - 134 - 574 Friedrich, 2008
30 - 39 Woman​ µg/dL - 40 - 325 Rifai, 2022
30 - 39 Man​ µg/dL - 110 - 370 Rifai, 2022
30 - 34 Man​ µg/dL - 117 - 540 Friedrich, 2008
35 - 39 Man​ µg/dL - 100 - 505 Friedrich, 2008
40 - 49 Woman​ ng/mL - 400 - 2500 Orentreich, 1984
40 - 49 Man​ µg/dL - 45 - 345 Rifai, 2022
40 - 44 Man​ µg/dL - 85 - 471 Friedrich, 2008
45 - 49 Man​ µg/dL - 72 - 437 Friedrich, 2008
50 - ∞ Woman​ ng/mL - 200 - 1500 Orentreich, 1984
50 - 59 Woman​ µg/dL - 15 - 170 Rifai, 2022
50 - 59 Man​ µg/dL - 600 - 3000 Rifai, 2022
50 - 54 Man​ µg/dL - 61 - 404 Friedrich, 2008
55 - 59 Man​ µg/dL - 53 - 372 Friedrich, 2008
60 - ∞ Man​ ng/mL - 300 - 2000 Orentreich, 1984
60 - 64 Man​ µg/dL - 47 - 340 Friedrich, 2008
60 - 69 Man​ µmol/L - 2.1 - 7.4 Elmlinger, 2003
65 - 69 Man​ µg/dL - 39 - 277 Friedrich, 2008
70 - 74 Man​ µg/dL - 36 - 246 Friedrich, 2008
70 - ∞ Man​ µmol/L - 0.7 - 6.3 Elmlinger, 2003

Health Impact

Bone Health​

DHEAS plays a significant role in maintaining bone health through its conversion to estrogen, which is crucial for bone mineral density. As DHEAS levels naturally decline with age, this may contribute to age-related bone loss.[Weiss, 2009] Research shows that DHEAS supplementation can improve bone mineral density, particularly in postmenopausal women and older adults.[Jankowski, 2006] The DHEAS-bone connection becomes especially important after menopause in women when estrogen production decreases significantly.

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Mood Regulation​

DHEAS influences several neurotransmitter systems involved in mood regulation, including GABA, serotonin, and dopamine pathways.[Maninger, 2009] When DHEAS levels drop, you might experience mood disturbances, including symptoms of depression and anxiety. Clinical studies have demonstrated that DHEAS supplementation can have antidepressant effects in some individuals with midlife-onset depression.[Schmidt, 2005] This mood-enhancing effect may be particularly relevant during aging when natural DHEAS production declines.

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Academic References

  1. Elmlinger M. Endocrine Alterations in the Aging Male. (2003). Clin Chem Lab Med.
  2. Orentreich N. Age changes and sex differences in serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations throughout adulthood. (1984). J Clin Endocrinol Metab.
  3. Traish AM. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)—A Precursor Steroid or an Active Hormone in Human Physiology. (2011). J Sex Med.
  4. Buford TW. Impact of DHEA(S) and cortisol on immune function in aging: a brief review. (2008). Appl Physiol Nutr Metab.
  5. Labrie F. DHEA and its transformation into androgens and estrogens in peripheral target tissues: intracrinology. (2001). Front Neuroendocrinol.
  6. Rifai N.. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine (2022). Elsevier. View Source
  7. Weiss EP. Dehydroepiandrosterone replacement therapy in older adults: 1- and 2-y effects on bone. (2009). Am J Clin Nutr.
  8. Maninger N. Neurobiological and neuropsychiatric effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate (DHEAS). (2009). Front Neuroendocrinol.
  9. Khorram S. Dehydroepiandrosterone as a regulator of immune cell function. (2010). J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol.
  10. Kenny AM. Dehydroepiandrosterone combined with exercise improves muscle strength and physical function in frail older women. (2010). J Am Geriatr Soc.
  11. Valenti G. Role of DHEAS in the cognitive and affective functioning in the elderly. (2009). J Endocrinol Investig.
  12. Paolisso G. Insulin resistance and advancing age: what role for dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate? (1997). Metabolism.
  13. Straub RH. Serum dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate are negatively correlated with serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), and DHEA inhibits IL-6 secretion from mononuclear cells in man in vitro: possible link between endocrinosenescence and immunosenescence. (1998). J Clin Endocrinol Metab.
  14. Friedrich N. Reference Ranges for Serum Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate and Testosterone in Adult Men. (2008). J Androl. View Source
  15. Baylis D. Understanding how we age: insights into inflammaging. (2013). Longev Healthspan. View Source
  16. Jankowski CM. Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone replacement on bone mineral density in older adults: a randomized, controlled trial. (2006). J Clin Endocrinol Metab.
  17. Schmidt PJ. Dehydroepiandrosterone monotherapy in midlife-onset major and minor depression. (2005). Arch Gen Psychiatry.
  18. Simpson ER. Aromatase—A Brief Overview. (2002). Annu Rev Physiol.
  19. Weiss EP. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) replacement decreases insulin resistance and lowers inflammatory cytokines in aging humans. (2011). Aging (Albany NY).
  20. Orentreich N. Age changes and sex differences in serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations throughout adulthood. (1984). J Clin Endocrinol Metab.
  21. Maninger N. Neurobiological and neuropsychiatric effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate (DHEAS). (2009). Front Neuroendocrinol.
  22. Buford TW. Impact of DHEA(S) and cortisol on immune function in aging: a brief review. (2008). Appl Physiol Nutr Metab.
  23. Villareal DT. DHEA enhances effects of weight training on muscle mass and strength in elderly women and men. (2006). Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab.
  24. Baulieu EE. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulfate, and aging: contribution of the DHEAge Study to a sociobiomedical issue. (2000). PNAS.
  25. Ohlsson C. Low serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate predict all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in elderly Swedish men. (2010). J Clin Endocrinol Metab.
  26. Labrie F. DHEA and its transformation into androgens and estrogens in peripheral target tissues: intracrinology. (2001). Front Neuroendocrinol.
  27. Finckh A. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of dehydroepiandrosterone in women with fibromyalgia: androgenic side effects. (2005). Arthritis Rheum. View Source

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