Improved thyroxine radioimmunoassay, for filter paper discs saturated with dried blood

I describe an improved procedure for estimating thyroxine in dried blood on 0.32-cm filter paper discs, by radioimmunoassay. A weak anion-exchange resin is used to separate free and antibody-bound radiothyroxine and, by measuring the resin-bound 125I-labeled thyroxine rather than the supernatant radioactivity, a tedious and cumbersome step is eliminated. The unique properties of the resin permit considerable latitude in the experimental conditions, in contrast with charcoal, without compromising sensitivity or precision. There is excellent correlation between thyroxine values obtained from discs and those of the corresponding plasmas. Application of this procedure for large-scale screening of newborns has proved to be highly successful in identifying thyroid insufficiency in several babies before clinical signs were apparent.