Tandem mass spectrometry in hormone measurement
1Department of Specialist Laboratory Medicine, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|September 3, 2013
Summary
Mass spectrometry, particularly liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), offers superior hormone measurement with enhanced specificity and range compared to immunoassays. These advanced methods are increasingly adopted in clinical labs for routine steroid hormone analysis.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Immunoassay methods for hormone measurement have limitations in specificity and analytical range.
- Mass spectrometry offers potential for simultaneous measurement of multiple hormones with improved accuracy.
- Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is emerging as a preferred technique in clinical laboratories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the general principles of tandem mass spectrometry.
- To provide examples of hormone assays utilizing LC-MS/MS.
- To highlight the advantages of LC-MS/MS over traditional immunoassay methods for hormone quantification.
Main Methods:
- Discussion of the general principles of tandem mass spectrometry.
- Examples of LC-MS/MS applications in hormone measurement, including steroid hormones like testosterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone.
- Explanation of how LC-MS/MS methods serve as reference standards for immunoassay calibration and performance assessment.
Main Results:
- LC-MS/MS assays demonstrate improved specificity and a wider analytical range for hormone measurement compared to immunoassays.
- Routine clinical laboratory assays for steroid hormones are increasingly transitioning to LC-MS/MS.
- Reference LC-MS/MS methods are crucial for evaluating commercial immunoassay performance.
Conclusions:
- Tandem mass spectrometry, specifically LC-MS/MS, represents a significant advancement in hormone analysis for clinical laboratories.
- The adoption of LC-MS/MS enhances the accuracy and reliability of hormone measurements, impacting diagnostics and therapeutic monitoring.
- LC-MS/MS methods are pivotal for ensuring the quality and comparability of hormone testing across different platforms.
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