DHEA-S: normal range and what it means
Short answer: The normal DHEA-S range is 80 – 560 µg/dL for men and 35 – 430 µg/dL for women. In SI units that is about 2.2 – 15 µmol/L for men and 0.9 – 12 µmol/L for women. Labs differ a little, so also check the range printed on your report.
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Where does your DHEA-S sit?
The healthy range is different for women and men.
Your result
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Information, not a diagnosis. Talk to a doctor about your result, and sooner if you feel unwell.
An adrenal hormone and testosterone precursor that declines with age.
Normal range
This marker’s healthy range depends on sex and age.
| Normal range | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Low | < 80 µg/dL | < 35 µg/dL |
| Normal | 80 – 560 µg/dL | 35 – 430 µg/dL |
| High | ≥ 560 µg/dL | ≥ 430 µg/dL |
What it measures
An adrenal hormone that acts as a reservoir the body converts into other sex hormones. It falls steadily with age, so the result only means something against your age group.
What moves it
Adrenal output, which peaks in the twenties and declines steadily with age. Relatively stable through the day, unlike cortisol.
How to bring it into range
Read it against age-matched ranges. A markedly high value in a woman is a reason to look at the adrenals and at PCOS.
How fast it responds
Months.
Also reported as: dheas · dhea sulfate
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Common questions
- What is the normal DHEA-S range?
- The normal DHEA-S range is 80 – 560 µg/dL for men and 35 – 430 µg/dL for women. In SI units that is about 2.2 – 15 µmol/L for men and 0.9 – 12 µmol/L for women. Labs differ a little, so also check the range printed on your report.
- What does a high DHEA-S mean?
- A value above the reference band means DHEA-S is outside the range typical for a healthy adult. A single reading is rarely conclusive on its own — what matters is the trend across draws and the other markers around it, which is why HealthOS reads the whole panel together rather than one number at a time.
- How do I improve my DHEA-S?
- Read it against age-matched ranges. A markedly high value in a woman is a reason to look at the adrenals and at PCOS.
More in Hormones
Reference ranges are general-population guidance compiled from common clinical laboratories, not a diagnosis. Lab-to-lab ranges differ. Always read your results with your doctor.