DHEA-S
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, the most abundant circulating steroid, made by the adrenal glands. Optimal range: Upper half of the age-adjusted reference range (illustrative: men 20-30 roughly 350-500 ug/dL; levels fall to 10-20% of peak by the 70s).
What it measures
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, the most abundant circulating steroid, made by the adrenal glands. A precursor to testosterone and estrogen that peaks in the 20s and falls steadily with age.
Why it matters
DHEA-S decline (adrenopause) parallels aging; in a French cohort, lower DHEA-S predicted higher short-term mortality in men. No guideline target exists, so the pragmatic goal is the upper half of your age-adjusted range.
Optimal ranges
Sourced targets, not just lab reference ranges. Lab ranges describe the population; these describe where the evidence says you want to be.
Sourcing caveat
The range below is a widely cited clinical heuristic. No published guideline target was found, and the source is marked for verification. Treat it as a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a settled target.
| Range | Context |
|---|---|
| Upper half of the age-adjusted reference range (illustrative: men 20-30 roughly 350-500 ug/dL; levels fall to 10-20% of peak by the 70s) | No published longevity target exists; the upper-half heuristic is a clinical-practice convention, not a guideline. Age decline documented across many cohorts. |
How to improve it
- 1
Resistance training and stress reduction
- 2
Consistent sleep
- 3
Maintain healthy body composition
- 4
DHEA supplementation only under medical supervision
Connected to
Goals
Longevity Lab Report
Move your DHEA-S, know the evidence.
New research on dhea-s and what moves it, in one email a week. Free.
Educational information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before acting on any biomarker result.