Question 65

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is a blood test that may be ordered in a patient with hirsutism.

DHEAS levels are often evaluated in patients presenting with hirsutism to assess for possible androgen excess, which can be a contributing factor to the condition.

A) Prolactin

Prolactin testing is generally used to evaluate conditions related to pituitary function and is not directly associated with hirsutism. While elevated prolactin levels can have various effects, they do not typically relate to the androgenic causes of hirsutism.

B) Basic metabolic panel with a urine test

A basic metabolic panel primarily assesses kidney function, electrolytes, and blood glucose levels. This test does not provide information on hormone levels or the underlying causes of hirsutism, making it an inappropriate choice for this condition.

C) Complete blood test with differential

A complete blood test with differential focuses on evaluating overall health and detecting a variety of disorders, such as infections and anemia. However, it does not specifically assess hormone levels that could contribute to hirsutism, thus making it less relevant for diagnosing the condition.

D) Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS)

DHEAS is a steroid hormone that serves as a precursor to androgens. Elevated levels of DHEAS can indicate adrenal hyperplasia or other androgen-secreting tumors, making this test directly relevant for evaluating hirsutism.

Conclusion

DHEAS is the most appropriate blood test to order in the context of hirsutism as it provides crucial information regarding androgen levels and potential adrenal causes. In contrast, the other options do not specifically assess hormonal imbalances that contribute to the condition, making them unsuitable for this clinical scenario.