BLOOD TEST · SMART CARE POLYCLINIC, DEIRA
DHEA-S explained
An adrenal hormone checked when extra hair, acne or irregular periods suggest high androgens.
Order it on its own, or build your own blood test profile — 4 or more tests save up to 30–50%.
What the DHEA-S test measures
DHEA-S is a male-type hormone made mainly by the adrenal glands. It shows whether raised androgens are coming from the adrenals rather than the ovaries, which matters in PCOS and unwanted hair growth.
What the result tells you
Mildly raised
Is common in PCOS and fits with acne, unwanted hair growth and irregular periods.
Markedly raised
Prompts a closer look at the adrenal glands.
Low
Falls naturally with age; low levels on their own rarely need treatment.
How to prepare
- Fasting
- Not required
- Best time
- Morning is preferred
What can move the result
A result outside the usual range does not on its own mean something is wrong. These are the everyday explanations a doctor considers first.
Packages that include it
Frequently asked questions
DHEA-S is a male-type hormone made mainly by the adrenal glands. It shows whether raised androgens are coming from the adrenals rather than the ovaries, which matters in PCOS and unwanted hair growth. Mildly raised: Is common in PCOS and fits with acne, unwanted hair growth and irregular periods.
Fasting: Not required. Best time: Morning is preferred.
Commonly: age; steroid medicines; dHEA supplements; stress and illness. A single result is not a diagnosis. Values are read against the laboratory's own reference range and alongside your history, your symptoms and the rest of the panel — which is why every package includes a doctor to go through them with you.
At Smart Care Polyclinic, 29 Doha Centre, Al Maktoum Rd, Deira, Dubai. It is included in the PCOS Package, the Hormonal Panel — Female, the PCOS Panel, or it can be ordered on its own. Walk in during opening hours or call +971 (0)4 379 3562.
Sources
Written from current guidance and reviewed 18 October 2026.
- DHEA sulfate testMedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Hirsutism in premenopausal womenEndocrine Society