A DHEA test checks if the adrenal glands are functioning properly by analyzing the amount of DHEA in the body through a blood test. It is used to diagnose various physical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome and multiple sclerosis, and abnormal results can indicate cancer, osteoporosis, and heart disease.
A DHEA test confirms whether a person’s adrenal glands are functioning properly. DHEA, formally known as dehydroepiandrosterone, is a steroid secreted by the adrenal glands, which produce hormones that help an individual deal with varying levels of stress. A healthcare professional performs a DHEA test when a patient has specific physical problems and the test involves drawing blood from a person using a needle. The healthcare professional then analyzes the test results to determine if an individual has normal amounts of DHEA in her body. Otherwise, the patient could be suffering from a wide range of diseases.
A DHEA test is administered when an individual is struggling with various unhealthy physical conditions. For example, a doctor might choose to conduct the test if a woman does not have monthly periods or if she is having difficulty getting pregnant due to problems with the reproductive system. Sometimes a woman produces too much androgens, which are sex hormones, resulting in thinning hair or acne. This is also a reason to undergo a DHEA test.
The needles used to draw blood are involved in the medical testing procedure. A patient can expect to have a needle injected into the back of the hand or elbow when completing a DHEA test. Healthcare providers typically use lancets, or small needles, to collect blood from babies. These workers tie elastic tourniquets around people’s blood collection sites to identify a vital vein and then cleanse the areas with a germ-killing liquid before injecting the needles and depositing the collected blood into vials.
The results of the blood drawing process help doctors know if a patient needs further medical treatment. An increase in the presence of DHEA could indicate cancer of the adrenal glands. Also, a woman may have an uneven number of female sex hormones – a condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome – and therefore need to take medications such as birth control pills if her DHEA levels are too high.
Several other problems can be linked to abnormal results of this type of health exam. For example, a person’s lack of DHEA may be associated with osteoporosis or bone loss, as well as multiple sclerosis, a disorder that negatively impacts the spinal cord and brain. Additionally, health experts link obesity, heart disease, and even breast cancer with low amounts of DHEA in the body.
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