Abstract: AimTo establish a method to determine the isotope ratios of ¹³C to ¹²C of dehydroepiandrosterone and its metabolites in urine, for detecting the source of dehydroepiandrosterone or its metabolites. MethodsPreliminary separation of endogenous anabolic androgenic steroids could be achieved using solid phase extraction, enzymolysis and thin layer chromatography. The source of dehydroepiandrosterone and other endogenous anabolic androgenic steroids could be detected by their δ values with gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry. ResultsThe δ values of some metabolites of dehydroepiandrosterone reduced after the administration of dehydroepiandrosterone preparation. In these cases the data indicated that exogenous anabolic androgenic steroids were administrated. ConclusionThe source of dehydroepiandrosterone or its metabolites in urine could be detected by measuring their δ values with this method.