Synonyms
- Dehydroepiandrosterone (Two Specimens)
- DHEA, ACTH Stimulation
- Unconjugated DHEA (Two Specimens)
Special Instructions
Draw blood for baseline DHEA. Inject cosyntropin 250 μg IM or IV (if IV, dilute cosyntropin in 2 to 5 mL of sterile saline and inject over two minutes). Draw blood for stimulated DHEA 60 minutes after. See the online Endocrine Appendix: ACTH Stimulation for expected values for various steroids at baseline and after ACTH stimulation.
Expected Turnaround Time
4 - 6 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Related Documents
For more information, please view the literature below.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Serum
Volume
1 mL (each specimen)
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Container
Red-top tube or gel-barrier tube
Collection
If a red-top tube is used, transfer separated serum to a plastic transport tube. Note: Label each tube with the patient's name, collection time, and date. Submit specimens simultaneously on the same test request form.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate.
Test Details
Use
Evaluate adrenal carcinomas that frequently secrete large amounts of DHEA. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid that is produced by both the adrenal cortex and testis.1 The levels of this steroid increase before the onset of puberty (adrenarche) and decrease significantly with age.2,3 DHEA and DHEA-S are the major precursors of 17-ketosteroids.
Methodology
Liquid chromatography tandem/mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS)
Footnotes
1. 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 Nov; 43(5):982-991. 186482
2. Ducharme JR, Forest MG, De Peretti E, Sempé M, Collu R, Bertrand J. Plasma adrenal and gonadal sex steroids in human pubertal development. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1976 Mar; 42(3):468-476. 130382
3. Carlstrom K, Brady S, Lunell NO, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and dehydroepiandrosterone in serum: Differences related to age and sex. Maturitas. 1988 Dec; 10(4):297-306. 2976116
References
Tietz NW, ed. Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders Co;1995:195-196.
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 140768 | DHEA, ACTH Stimulation | 140769 | DHEA Baseline | ng/dL | 16734-6 | |
| 140768 | DHEA, ACTH Stimulation | 140770 | DHEA Stimulated | ng/dL | 13863-6 |
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