Stress & aging

DHEA-S test (DHEA sulfate)

DHEA-S is an adrenal hormone your body uses to make testosterone and estrogen, and it falls steadily with age.

Included in every $199 draw

Key benefits of DHEA-S testing

Shows your adrenal androgen output.
Reads alongside cortisol for a fuller view of your adrenal hormones.
Adds context when energy or libido is low.
In women, helps check for PCOS when acne or extra hair growth appear.
Gives a baseline before considering any DHEA supplement.

What is DHEA-S?

DHEA is made mostly by your adrenal glands, the same glands that make cortisol. Your body stores it as DHEA-S, a steadier form that’s easy to measure with one blood draw. Tissues convert it into sex hormones as needed.

Why DHEA-S matters

DHEA-S peaks in your 20s and drops by roughly half by middle age. Low levels are linked to fatigue, low libido and lower bone density. High levels can cause acne, oily skin and extra hair growth, especially in women.

What your DHEA-S results mean

Low: common with age. Can also follow long-term stress, steroid medications or, rarely, adrenal problems.
In range: your adrenal hormone output is typical for your age and sex.
High: in women, often linked to PCOS. Very high levels need a physician review to rule out rare adrenal conditions.
Context matters: ranges shift a lot by age, so your result is only meaningful against people your age.

Standard vs. optimal range

	Men	Women
Standard lab range	About 160 to 450 µg/dL at ages 25 to 34; lower with age (varies by lab)	About 85 to 430 µg/dL at ages 25 to 34; lower with age (varies by lab)
Insyght optimal range	Set by the Insyght medical team	Set by the Insyght medical team

LowHigh

Lab reference rangeYour optimal range

A value can read normal on a standard panel and still sit outside optimal. Insyght flags it.

Do I need a DHEA-S test?

Low on energy or libido? Noticing acne, thinning hair or irregular cycles? Thinking about a DHEA supplement? Test first, so you know where you start.

See your hormones together

Insyght tests DHEA-S with cortisol, testosterone and estradiol, reviewed by a physician with your age in mind. $199 a year.

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Similar biomarkers

Cortisol Testosterone Estradiol TSH Fasting insulin

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between DHEA and DHEA-S?

DHEA-S is the stored, sulfated form of DHEA. It stays steady through the day, so it’s the better test.

Should I take a DHEA supplement?

Only with a physician’s guidance. DHEA can raise testosterone and estrogen and isn’t right for everyone. Test first.

Does stress lower DHEA-S?

Long-term stress, poor sleep and illness can lower it over time. Reading it next to cortisol shows the fuller picture.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Maria Gutierrez Horn, MD, FACE, Board-certified endocrinologist, in practice since 2001. Last updated October 21, 2026.