Healthy DHEA-Sulfate but low DHEA-Serum?

[Stoak]

I have started TRT again after an 8 month layoff to conceive with my wife and was going thru old bloodwork... specifically DHEA levels. I'm 41 now and don't know if I SHOULD be supplementing with DHEA/Preg for long term health. My last bloodwork before I stopped TRT (had been on for 2 years) was

DHEA Sulfate 290 ug/dL (88.9-427)
DHEA Serum 2.6ng/mL (1.8-12.5)

My pregnenolone was never completed bc the vial was broken during transport. Based on what I have read I'm satisfied with my adrenal function with that DHEA Sulfate number but I don't understand why the Serum number is so low? Is it highly variable during the day or is my body regulating it lower due to my other test/e2 being higher?

My protocol is 80mg test cyp + 500iu HCG E3.5D... I'd rather not pay for HCG and have no reason to use it cosmetically or for fertility (it doesn't work for me in that regard anyways). I just feel like I am "supposed" to take it to backfill these hormones, but I'm happy to throw it in the garbage.

Any thoughts on these DHEA levels?

 

[Cataceous]

... Based on what I have read I'm satisfied with my adrenal function with that DHEA Sulfate number but I don't understand why the Serum number is so low? Is it highly variable during the day or is my body regulating it lower due to my other test/e2 being higher?
...

DHEA levels are said to fluctuate during the day more than those of DHEA-S. I wouldn't worry about it.