Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate or DHEAS is the sulfated form of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This sulfation is reversibly catalyzed by sulfotransferase 2A1 (SULT2A1) primarily in the adrenals, the liver, and small intestine. In the blood, most DHEA is found as DHEAS with levels that are about 300 times higher than those of free DHEA. Orally-ingested DHEA is converted to its sulfate when passing through intestines and liver. Whereas DHEA levels naturally reach their peak in the early morning hours, DHEAS levels show no diurnal variation. From a practical point of view, measurement of DHEAS is preferable to DHEA, as levels are more stable. DHEA (from which DHEAS comes from) is a natural steroid prohormone produced from cholesterol by the adrenal glands, the gonads, adipose tissue, brain and in the skin (by an autocrine mechanism). DHEA is the precursor of androstenedione, which can undergo further conversion to produce the androgen testosterone and the estrogens estrone and estradiol. DHEA is also a potent sigma-1 agonist. DHEAS can serve as a precursor for testosterone; androstenedione; estradiol; and estrone. Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate is a classic marker for adrenarche and, subsequently, for the individual hormonal milieu  Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate is an endogenously produced sex steroid that has been hypothesized to have anti aging effects  It also has been inversely associated with development of atherosclerosis  (A3325, A3326, A3327). DHEA-S is the principal adrenal androgen and is secreted together with cortisol under the control of ACTH and prolactin. DHEA-S is elevated with hyperprolactinemia.