Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate or DHEA sulfate is a metabolite of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).

Synthesis
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate is produced by the addition of a sulfate group, catalyzed by the sulfotransferase enzymes SULT1A1 and SULT1E1, which also produce estrone sulfate from estrone. DHEA sulfate can also be back-converted to DHEA through the action of steroid sulfatase.

In the zona reticularis layer of the adrenal cortex, DHEA-sulfate is generated by SULT2A1. This layer of the adrenal cortex is thought to be the primary source of serum DHEA-sulfate. DHEA sulfate levels decline as a person ages as the reticularis layer diminishes in size.

Use as biomarker
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels above 1890 micromol/L or 700-800 µg/dL are highly suggestive of adrenal dysfunction because DHEA-S is made exclusively by the adrenal glands.