Biochip Simultaneously Tests for Three Thyroid Hormones

The tests are performed an immunoassay analyzer that uses multi-analyte biochip array technology.

The integrated analyzer performs simultaneous quantitative detection of a wide range of protein analytes in a multi-analyte format. Evidence performs multiple immunoassays on each patient sample. The technology platform supports multiple different protein results, per person, on each biochip.

The Evidence immunoassay analyzer is a product of Randox Laboratories (Crumlin, UK). It offers the unique option of reflex reporting. If the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test result is within the normal range, only the TSH result is reported and the laboratory only pays for one test. If the TSH test result is elevated or low, the thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine test results are automatically reported as well. Reflex reporting offers a number of advantages: only one blood sample is required; the laboratory only performs one test procedure; and the laboratory only pays for the extra thyroid hormone tests when they are required.

TSH is released by the pituitary gland in the brain. Thyroxine (FT4 or TT4) and tri-iodothyronine (FT3 or TT3) are hormones produced by the thyroid gland. TSH is performed as the initial screening test, and all three hormones are essential in the diagnosis of thyroid disease.

The most common thyroid diseases are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, affecting about 2% of the population. In hyperthyroidism, thyroid hormone levels are higher than normal; in hypothyroidism, thyroid hormone levels are low. Other thyroid conditions are goiter and thyroiditis. Thyroid cancer varies between slow-growing tumors with a good prognosis, to aggressive tumors with limited treatment options. Thyroid problems are about 10 times more common in women than in men.

Randox is an international diagnostics company that develops, manufactures, and markets clinical diagnostic products worldwide. Core products are: biochip array technology; clinical chemistry analyzers and reagents; quality controls and European quality assurance (EQA); environmental diagnostics; recombinant proteins and antibodies.


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