What does the DHEA, Salivary (Morning) test measure?

Why is DHEA, Salivary (Morning) measured?

In Genova Diagnostics' interpretive framework, salivary DHEA is assessed principally through its ratio to salivary cortisol — the cortisol:DHEA ratio — rather than as an isolated absolute value. A high cortisol:DHEA ratio indicates a predominantly catabolic, stress-dominant hormonal environment associated with accelerated biological ageing, immune suppression, muscle wasting, metabolic dysfunction, and reduced adaptive capacity. In functional and integrative adrenal assessment, this ratio is considered the key interpretive axis of the diurnal cortisol profile — a low DHEA relative to cortisol guides DHEA supplementation, adaptogenic support, and HPA axis rebalancing interventions independent of whether absolute cortisol is elevated or within range. Low DHEA alongside low cortisol across all time points suggests adrenal reserve depletion ('adrenal fatigue' in functional medicine terminology), while low DHEA with elevated cortisol suggests early-stage stress-driven catabolism with intact adrenocortical stimulation.

Reference ranges

Standard reference

# REVIEWER FLAG: Confirm Genova Diagnostics reference range for salivary DHEA — values are highly platform-specific and substantially lower than serum DHEA or DHEA-S values. Confirm whether Genova measures DHEA at one time point (morning) or two time points, and whether they report DHEA as a standalone value, a cortisol:DHEA ratio, or both.

Functional medicine optimal

# REVIEWER FLAG: Confirm Genova Diagnostics documentation for salivary DHEA optimal range and whether a cortisol:DHEA ratio threshold is provided in their interpretive guide. Functional optimal ranges for salivary DHEA are not standardised across functional medicine literature and are proprietary to individual laboratory interpretive frameworks.

Units

pg/mL, nmol/L

Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform. Interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.