Normal size of the ventricles of the brain in newborns. Why are the ventricles of the brain enlarged in infants? Clinical manifestations of ventricular dilatation

DHEA - dehydroepiandrosterone, natural steroid hormone, which is produced from cholesterol by the adrenal cortex. DHEA is structurally similar to and is a precursor to testosterone and other androgens.

Production of this hormone peaks in adulthood (around the third decade of life) and then begins to decline. DHEA-SO4 (DHEA sulfate) results from the rapid sulfation of DHEA produced in the adrenal glands.

In this form it is biologically inactive, but after removal of the SO4 group it is reactivated. This is a reserve for replenishing DHEA deficiency. Biologically it is more stable than DHEA and has a fixed daily serum concentration.

DHEA Research Process

Determination of DHEA concentration produced in blood serum. For this research you need deoxygenated blood , which is most often taken at the bend of the elbows. The patient must not fast for the study.

DHEA is highly active in the morning, so blood tests are recommended at this time. If a doctor examines the level of DHEA-SO4, then the study can be done regardless of the time of day, since this hormone has a constant daily concentration in the blood serum.

The resulting blood is placed in a biochemical test tube, where it “coagulates.” The serum is stable at a temperature of +4 degrees Celsius during the day. When stored in the freezer, it can remain stable for even six months.

DHEA Concentration Standards

DHEA Concentration Rate in blood serum healthy person ranges from 7 to 31 µmol/L (200-900 µg/dL), and the DHEA-SO4 range ranges from 2 to 12 µmol/L (75-470 µg/dL) and differs slightly depending on gender.

Determination of DHEA and DHEA-SO4 concentrations is not a routine test. If they do not occur typical symptoms associated with changes in the concentration of this hormone, DHEA labeling is not carried out.

Low concentration of DHEA and DHEA-SO4 may be associated with impaired adrenal function or thyroid gland. Increased DHEA concentration in the blood serum along with an increase in the excretion of androgen metabolites in the urine may indicate adenoma, cancer or adrenal hyperplasia.

High DHEA levels usually require further testing to pinpoint the cause of the hormonal imbalance.

Significance of DHEA and DHEA-SO4 Research

DHEA is a weak-acting steroidal androgen. The study of DHEA concentration is useful in assessing the function of the adrenal cortex, as well as in assessing the process of sexual development. Incorrect values ​​may occur in cases of hirsutism (i.e. excessive hair growth male type in women), tumors of the adrenal cortex, congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

A DHEA study, together with an assessment of the concentrations of other hormones such as FSH, LH, prolactin, estrogen and testosterone, is also performed in cases of masculinization, i.e. the occurrence in a woman of somatic characteristics of men, infertility in women, primary and secondary amenorrhea, if polycystic ovary syndrome is suspected, in differential diagnosis hypertestosteronemia and in the event of premature puberty.

All in all, determination of DHEA concentration, testosterone and other androgens is used to assess adrenal function, as well as distinguish between adrenal diseases in which there is increased secretion of androgens.

Incorrect DHEA values may also occur in the case of obesity, adrenal adenoma, adrenal cancer, incidentaloma (accidentally discovered adrenal tumor). Excessive increases in serum DHEA concentrations also occur following stimulation of ACTH secreted by the pituitary gland.

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Increased hormonality cannot be an indicator good health, and that is why deviation from the norm can lead to various diseases. Before we get into cause and effect increased hormone DHEA S in women, let’s figure out what it is in principle.

What is DHEA S?

The hormone DHEA s in women or, in other words, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate is a hormone of youth that performs many functions not only in women, but also in men.

But there is no need to confuse puberty and the above hormone: they have nothing in common. This type The hormone belongs to androgens and carries out the process of synthesis with the help of the adrenal glands, then the process is realized thanks to the ovaries of women and the testicles of men. It is worth noting that DHEA is released along with urination.

Norms and deviations

The norm for the female half is determined by very clear indicators: from 1.70 - 9.80 µmol/l. This occurs in women under 30 years of age. For pregnant women, the hormonal norm can be much lower, namely: 3.10-12.50 µmol/l. In the second trimester, the indicator may change to the following parameters: 1.6-6.9 µmol/l. Finally, for the third trimester the norm will be 0.85-3.5 µmol/l. It is necessary to understand that a serious violation of the norm can be either the fact that the hormone is increased or the fact that it is significantly reduced.

A child, for example, at birth has a high level of this type of hormone, which is considered normal and excludes reasons for panic.

After a certain period of time, the hormone decreases its level, and then increases sharply again. Such differences are completely normal and do not go beyond what is acceptable.

Reasons for a blood test

In what cases is analysis prescribed? blood DHEA? In order to answer this question, you need to understand that the reasons must be very reasonable and hormone DHEA, in particular, implies a violation of:

1. When necessary diagnostics adrenal glands, i.e. identifying the causes of disruption of their working activity.
2. Inhibition of the main process or complete violation work of the ovaries.
3. The process of pregnancy, which lasts about two months.
4. Ovarian disease, namely polycystic disease.
5. Clear signs of excess terminal hair growth in women who have all the signs of a male resemblance. In other words, hard and dark, not fluffy and colorless in nature.
6. Observation is enough obvious deviations at puberty.
7. Violation functional features women: the ability to get pregnant.
8. Involuntary termination of pregnancy.

Purpose of the drug

Medicines containing DHEA SO4 are prescribed in situations where:

1. Fatigue syndrome, expressed physically and mentally. This is especially true for older people.
2. The immune system is in a weakened state. In particular, the drug is prescribed after chemical and other therapies, as a restorative and strengthening agent.
3. Again a supporting agent, but in case of oncological diseases. It must be prescribed in combination with other drugs to achieve the best results.
4. Cardiovascular lesions. As a result: a significant decrease in cholesterol and dissolution of the blood clot.
5. Overweight in various degrees diseases

Important! Any medicine must have a compelling reason for its adoption, as well as a direct recommendation from a doctor.

To draw a certain semantic line, it can be noted that due to high level functionality, these drugs are often used to treat a wide variety of diseases. Of course, this is not a panacea for everything and everyone, and besides, accept this hormonal agent without a doctor's prescription, at your own discretion, is strictly prohibited. But, nevertheless, one should not deny the effectiveness of DEA SO4.

Prevention

Preventative work is of particular importance. DHEA in women requires careful monitoring of one’s own health, but that, of course, is not all. First of all, in order to identify standard or more serious deviations from the established norm, it is necessary to monitor the menstrual cycle. Duration of this period is estimated at 28 - 30 days. Moreover, do not forget about emotional state which can be disrupted and result in: depression, sad mood or general fatigue. If we turn to physical manifestations, then this is brittle nails and hair.

As a result, the hormonal composition is prescribed as a preventive procedure. In particular, this applies to women after 35 years: the appearance of wrinkles and impaired skin. Preventive procedures, in this case, can prolong youth and improve overall health balance.

Note. The aging process should not begin prematurely: everything has its time.

If you notice external “fatigue” of the skin and the body as a whole, this should alert you and give you the impetus to go to the doctor. Perhaps the body external manifestation signals internal problems.

Release forms and correct dosage

Hormonal drugs of this type are available in two well-known forms:

• Pills.
• Additives: biologically active.

Regardless of the form and release option, hormones must be taken only as prescribed by a doctor. A beneficial effect may go against the expected result, and as a result, bring even more worst option outcome than the original disease. As a result, it is necessary to monitor the dosage of the drug very strictly. In addition, you must keep a calendar menstrual cycle, because this will help to identify and identify violations in time hormonal balance. If this is detected, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Do not forget about the period of the menstrual cycle. Too short or vice versa: a period that is too long is not the norm. His complete absence, if you are not pregnant, also signals a significant inclination from the norm for the worse.

As a result

The importance of maintaining a normal hormonal state is today, erroneously, not underestimated. Beginning with adolescence, a woman needs to monitor her internal processes, since their violation is the first significant signal that her health is suffering from inconvenience. External physical manifestations are also no exception, and disruption of any processes should alert you. The type of hormone we are discussing reveals many problems at their earliest stages, causing rapid recovery in the future.

It has been noticed that women leading healthy image Life suffers problems with the internal cycle less often than those who deliberately do not monitor their condition.

This may include bad habits(smoking, for example), unhealthy eating, sleep disturbances and lack of good rest. General depressed state due to some external problems. The modern course of life can become a significant reason for the disorder of the body, but nevertheless it is necessary to pay attention internal state and take care of your own health. Perhaps this is a significant reason to think about your health.

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) is an androgen that is not associated with puberty. It is secreted and synthesized by the adrenal glands. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate is classified as a ketosteroid.

DHEA-S is synthesized primarily from cholesterol sulfate ester. The bulk of androgen is catabolized and, as a rule, only ten percent is excreted in the urine.

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate is not associated with specific proteins in the blood plasma, therefore, their concentration is DHEA-S level does not affect. However, the steroid binds to serum albumin.

In addition to DHEA-S, the circulating blood contains dehydroepiandrosterone. Partially its formation occurs in the adrenal cortex, partly - by the gonads. Due to the fact that the metabolic clearance of DHEA is very rapid, its concentration is lower compared to DHEA-S.

Due to high concentration Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate's high stability and long half-life, as well as the fact that it is primarily sourced from the adrenal glands, makes the steroid an excellent indicator of androgen secretion.

In addition to the adrenal cortex, in men a small part of it (5%) is produced in the gonads. Women do not produce it in the ovaries. The concentration of this hormone reflects the androgen synthetic activity of the adrenal glands. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate has a slight androgenic effect. However, during its metabolism, which occurs in peripheral tissues, dehydrotestosterone and testosterone are produced.

The clearance rate of DHEA-S is low. This indicator is used in diagnosing hyperandrogenic conditions that occur in women. These include baldness, hirsutism, disorder reproductive function. In this case, hyperandrogenism may be of ovarian or adrenal origin. Thus, endocrinological examination begins with determining the concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and testosterone. Elevated levels indicate hyperandrogenism of adrenal origin. In addition, the indicator is also used to assess androgen status against the background of delayed sexual development.

During pregnancy, the production of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate occurs in the adrenal cortex of the fetus and mother. For the synthesis of estrogen in the placenta, the hormone is a precursor.

In pregnant women, the concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in the blood decreases moderately. By the time of puberty in children, its level increases, then gradually decreases with age.

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate is increased when:

Congenital hyperplasia adrenal glands;

Tumors of the adrenal cortex (values ​​for cancer are higher than for adenoma);

Tumors with ectopic production;

Verile syndrome.

A reduced concentration of the hormone is observed when:

Secondary and primary failure in the adrenal glands;

Pregnancy;

Primary hypogonadism (castration, in men;

Secondary hypogonadism (pituitary) in women;

Reception oral contraceptives;

Panhypopituarism;

Osteoporosis.

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, the norm for men from 21 to 39 years old is 1.0-4.2 μg/ml, for women from 19 to 39 years old - about 8-2.9 μg/ml.

At elevated level By determining the concentration of DHEA-S, it is possible to determine whether the condition is associated with ovarian disease or adrenal pathology. Levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate increase only with adrenal pathologies. These include, in particular, tumors, hyperplasia and other diseases.