Hormonanalyser

Hormonanalyser are instruments designed to quantify hormone concentrations in biological samples such as blood serum or plasma, urine, or saliva. They are used in clinical laboratories and research settings to diagnose endocrine disorders, monitor therapy, and study hormonal regulation and metabolism. Modern systems typically combine automated sample handling with sensitive detection methods to measure multiple hormones in a single run or in targeted panels.

Most routine clinical analyzers rely on immunoassays, including chemiluminescent and enzyme immunoassays, which detect hormones using labeled antibodies. For higher specificity and multiplex capability, LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry) is increasingly employed, especially for steroids, thyroid precursors, and peptide hormones at low concentrations. RIA (radioimmunoassay) is older but remains in limited use in some settings.

Samples may be serum, plasma, whole blood, urine, or saliva, with timing and handling critical for certain hormones that vary by time of day or cycle. Pre-analytical factors such as biotin interference, heterophile antibodies, and sample quality can affect results. Calibration, quality control, and standardization are essential to ensure accuracy across instruments and laboratories.

Measured hormones commonly include cortisol, thyroid hormones (TSH, free T4), testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, insulin, and growth hormone. Results support diagnosis of thyroid disease, adrenal disorders, reproductive disorders, and metabolic conditions, as well as fertility monitoring. Limitations include assay cross-reactivity, limited antibody specificity, and biological variability such as circadian rhythms, which may require specific sampling conditions. LC-MS/MS offers higher specificity but requires specialized equipment and expertise.

Regulatory frameworks govern the validation and use of hormone analysers in clinical contexts, including assay verification, proficiency testing, and inter-laboratory comparisons. Demand for accurate, fast, and multiplexed hormone measurements continues to drive technological development in this field.