Enzyme immunoassay of thyroxin-binding globulin in dried blood samples on filter paper

A double-antibody enzyme immunoassay was developed for determination of thyroxin-binding globulin in dried blood samples on filter paper. The measurable concentration range of thyroxin-binding globulin in two 3-mm blood discs was 3.3 to 52 mg/L equivalent of serum (i.e., equivalent to the concentrations in known serum standards). Thyroxin-binding globulin in dried blood samples on filter paper was stable for at least four weeks when kept dry at -20 degrees C, 4 degrees C, or room temperature. The mean coefficients of variation were 6.6% (within assay) and 5.9% (between assays). The concentrations of thyroxin-binding globulin in dried blood samples determined by this method correlated well with those in serum determined by radioimmunoassay (r = 0.95) and by enzyme immunoassay (r = 0.96). This method is applicable for detecting cases of thyroxin-binding globulin deficiency and avoids the false-positive results for neonatal hypothyroidism obtained by measuring thyroxin.