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DHEA Saliva Testing

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is synthesized primarily in the adrenal glands from the steroid precursor pregnenolone which is synthesized from cholesterol. DHEA is the main precursor for estradiol and testosterone. In the blood most DHEA is sulfated (DHEA-S04) providing a storage depot for DHEA, thereby prolonging its half life and providing a steady state source of DHEA for conversion to estrogens and androgens in the adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes.

Circulating levels are closely associated with aging, dropping nearly five-fold from a peak at age 20-25 to a low at age 70-80. Various diseases such as osteoporosis, CVD, AIDS, autoimmune disease (i.e. lupus), Alzheimer's disease, breast cancer, thyroid disease, and diabetes have been associated with low circulating DHEA levels.

It has been suggested that measures which increase circulating DHEA levels such as exercise, proper diet, stress reduction, and/or supplementation can ameliorate some of the diseases associated with low DHEA levels, especially the generalized debilitation associated with aging. Although such debilitation is multifactorial, measurement of DHEA allows identification of low levels as a possible contributing factor and a means to follow specific intervention.

Interpretation of Results

DHEA levels in saliva reflect active DHEA and not DHEA-SO4. Patients on transdermal DHEA creams may have high DHEA levels.

Age and Sex Specific Ranges for DHEA in Saliva
(Unsupplemented A.M. Ranges in pg/ml)
Age Female Range Male Range
20 - 29 106 -496 137 -578
30 - 39 77 - 217 82 - 287
40 - 49 47 - 200 68 - 221
50 - 59 38 - 136 49 - 177
60 - 69 36 - 107 41 - 158
70 - 79 33 - 99 35 - 135
80 + 33 - 90 37 - 106

Please contact North Bay Diagnostics at 888-689-TEST (8378) to order your lab kit.

Custom Hormone Panel
           Test DHEA.
            $47.00

Menopause Panel - Basic
The Menopause Profile measures Estradiol, Progesterone, Testosterone, and DHEA. The Menopause Profile is recommended for peri or postmenopausal women experiencing hormone-related problems, including: mood changes, hot flashes, heavy menses, weight gain, low libido, insomnia, headaches, fatigue, bone loss, hair loss, or difficulty concentrating.
$151.00

Menopause Panel - Extended
The Menopause Panel - Extended measures Estrone, Estradiol, Estriol, Progesterone, Testosterone, and DHEA. It is the same as the Menopausal-Basic Panel, plus Estriol, and Estrone. The Menopause Panel - Extended is recommended for peri and post menopausal women that are currently using estriol or estrone (Hormone Replacement Therapy). This test can also be used to monitor breast cancer risk. Several epidemiological studies have shown that women who have an increased amount of estriol in relation to estradiol and estrone, have a decreased risk of developing breast cancer.
$207.00 

Cycling Female Panel - Basic
The Cycling Female Panel - Basic measures Estradiol, Progesterone, and DHEA. The Cycling Female Panel - Basic is recommended for premenopausal women with hormone troubles possibly related to progesterone deficiency or estrogen excess. Symptoms would include: PMS, mood changes, cramping, irritability, uterine fibroids, fibrocystic breasts, weight gain, headaches/migraines, heavy menses, fatigue, and low libido.
$120.00
Male Hormone Panel
The Male Hormone Panel measures testosterone, di-hydro-testosterone (DHT) and DHEA. It is recommended for males of all ages with concerns of: low libido, hair loss, fatigue, loss of muscle mass, depression, prostate trouble, acne. For men supplementing testosterone, it is advisable that estradiol be monitored, as excess conversion of testosterone to estradiol in males has been linked to prostate cancer.
$120.00 

References

  1. Barrett-Connor E, K-T Khaw, Yen SSC: A prospective study of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, mortality, and cardiovascular disease. N Engl J Med 1986;315:1519-1524
  2. Regelson W, Lovia R, Kalimi M: Hormonal intervention: "buffer hormones" or "state dependency". The role of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), thyroid hormone, estrogen and hypophysectomy in aging. Ann NY Acad Sci 1988;521:260-273
  3. Monroe S E, Menon K M J: Changes in reproductive hormone secretion during the climacteric and postmenopausal periods. Clin Obstet Gynecol 1977;20:113-122
  4. Swinkels LM, Ross HA, Smals AG, Benraad TF: Concentrations of Total and Free Dehydroepiandrosterone in Plasma and Dehydroepiandrosterone in Saliva of Normal and Hirsute Women Under Basal Conditions and During Administration of Dexamethasone/Synthetic Corticotropin. Clin Chem 1990;36:2042-2046
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