Determine the level of dehydroepiandrosterone - Causes, symptoms and treatment. MF.

Dehydroepiandrosterone( DHEA) - is an androgen that belongs to 17-ketosteroids;is secreted by the mesh cortex of the adrenal cortex. It has a short half-life, and the concentration in the blood is maximal in the morning hours. DHEA is catabolized to androstenediol, Tc and 5α-dihydro-Tc.

DHEA is a very sensitive indicator of the activity of the synthesis of androgens in the adrenal glands. It is indispensable for differential diagnosis of the origin of the viral syndrome and the definition of the source of hyperandrogenemia: adrenal or ovarian disease. In addition, this indicator is necessary in assessing the function of puberty in children, as the increase in DHEA levels in the blood correlates well with the development of secondary sexual characteristics.

When interpreting the results of the determination in the blood of the DHEA content, it is necessary to take into account the pronounced variability of the rhythm of its secretion. Therefore, it is more informative to determine the level of DHEA sulfate, the absolute content of which in blood is 300 times higher than that of DHEA.The long half-life, the absence of a daily rhythm of secretion and binding to blood transport proteins determine its stability and reliability for the treatment of a specific laboratory result as a specific marker of androgen adrenal secretion.

Indications for determination of DHEA-sulphate content:

• differential diagnosis of ovarian diseases: if an elevated Tc level is observed, then, by determining DHEA sulfate, it can be established whether it is associated with adrenal disease( androgenizing tumors, hyperplasia, Cushing's syndrome, 21-hydroxylase deficiencyor 11-β-hydroxylase);

• Adrenal tumors;

• osteoporosis;

• delay in puberty;

• early puberty.

The normal blood content is( mg / 100 ml):

§ men( 19-59 years) - 35 to 441;

§ women( 19-48 years) - from 10 to 333;

§ women( more than 50 years) - from 32 to 204;

§ children( up to 1 month) - from 8.8 to 338;

§ children( 1-11 years) from 0 to 90;

§ children( 11-15 years) from 20 to 263;

§ children( 15-17 years) from 30 to 238.

The amount of serum or plasma( EDTA, heparin) required for analysis is 0.1 ml, the analysis time is 3-4 hours.