What does high DHEA-S level indicate?

If your level of DHEA-S is high, it means that your body is making too much of the hormones. This excess may be related to adrenal cancer, tumors, or excess growth of adrenal hormone-producing tissue (hyperplasia). If your DHEA level is low, it may mean that your adrenal glands are not making enough hormones.

What causes high DHEA-S levels in females?

An increase in DHEA-sulfate may be due to: A common genetic disorder called congenital adrenal hyperplasia. A tumor of the adrenal gland, which can be benign or be a cancer. A common problem in women younger than 50, called polycystic ovary syndrome.

Is DHEA-S elevated in CAH?

Patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) may show very high levels of DHEA/DHEAS, often 5-fold to 10-fold elevations. However, with the possible exception of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency, other steroid analytes offer better diagnostic accuracy than DHEA/DHEAS measurements.

What are the symptoms of benign adrenal tumors?

Adrenal Gland Tumor: Symptoms and Signs

• High blood pressure.
• Low potassium level.
• Heart palpitations.
• Nervousness.
• Feelings of anxiety or panic attacks.
• Headache.
• Heavy sweating/perspiration.
• Diabetes.

What is normal DHEA level?

In your 20s, DHEAS levels range between 65 and 380 mcg. For 30-something women, normal levels range from 45 to 270 mcg/dL, with levels further dropping to 32 to 240 mcg/dL in your 40s. Levels vary from 26 to 200 mcg/dL in your 50s, from 13 to 130 mcg/dL in your 60s and from 17 to 90 mcg/dL after age 69.

How do you fix high DHEA levels?

Drugs that can decrease or lower the levels of DHEA in the body include:

1. Antipsychotic medications, including chlorpromazine (Thorazine) and quetiapine (Seroquel)
2. Budesonide (Pulmicort)
3. Estrogens.
4. Oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
5. Dexamethasone (Decadron)
6. Metformin (Glucophage)

What does a DHEA test show?

DHEAS Test (DHEA Sulfate Test) Healthcare providers use DHEAS tests to measure levels of a steroid hormone that your body converts into estrogen and androgens (testosterone). A high test result may indicate an adrenal tumor or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), while a low test result may indicate Addison’s disease.

What percentage of adrenal tumors are cancerous?

“Although the majority of these tumors are benign, around 30% of adrenal tumors greater than 4 cm are malignant – most represented by adrenal cortical carcinoma, and the survival rate for these patients is very poor unless detected early.”

What diseases affect the adrenal glands?

The following adrenal gland disorders include:

• Addison’s disease.
• Cushing’s disease.
• Adrenal incidentaloma.
• Pheochromocytomas.
• Pituitary tumors.
• Adrenal gland suppression.