Biomarker Reference · Cortisol:DHEA
Cortisol:DHEA ratio (morning) (Cortisol:DHEA) is a clinical biomarker used in adrenal-stress assessment. The cortisol:DHEA ratio is a derived marker that expresses the relative balance between the catabolic stress hormone cortisol and the anabolic androgen precursor DHEA. It is measured in 1 laboratory test on BiomarkersLabs.com.
The cortisol:DHEA ratio is a derived marker that expresses the relative balance between the catabolic stress hormone cortisol and the anabolic androgen precursor DHEA. Both are secreted by the adrenal cortex under ACTH drive, but their ratio may shift with chronic stress, ageing, or illness.
A high cortisol:DHEA ratio is interpreted by functional and integrative practitioners as reflecting catabolic dominance or 'stress overload,' while a low ratio may suggest anabolic resilience or, in some contexts, relative cortisol insufficiency. The ratio must be interpreted in the context of absolute cortisol and DHEA values and the clinical picture.
Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform. Interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.
1 test on BiomarkersLabs.com include this biomarker.
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