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Published on: November 1, 2014
A spurious markedly increased serum estradiol level due to an IgA lambda
D L Gordon1, E Holmes, E J Kovacs
1Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
Summary
Physicians should be aware of potential errors in hormone testing. A case showed a falsely high estradiol level due to an antibody interference, leading to unnecessary surgery.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Chemistry
- Endocrinology
- Laboratory Medicine
Background:
- Hormone level testing is crucial for diagnosing endocrine disorders.
- Laboratory assays can sometimes yield erroneous results, impacting clinical decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the potential for inaccurate hormone level measurements.
- To emphasize the importance of correlating lab results with the clinical presentation.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a patient with significantly elevated serum estradiol (E2).
- Review of literature to understand the discrepancy between laboratory findings and clinical status.
Main Results:
- A 41-year-old woman underwent unnecessary surgery due to a falsely elevated E2 level.
- The elevated E2 was caused by IgA lambda interference with the radioimmunoassay's radiolabeled tracer.
Conclusions:
- Discrepancies between repeated abnormal hormone levels and clinical findings warrant further investigation.
- Consideration of alternative assay methods is recommended when assay interference is suspected.
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