We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Highly Reliable Cell-Based Assay Enables Accurate Diagnosis of Endocrine Diseases

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 04 Mar 2024

The conventional methods for measuring free cortisol, the body's stress hormone, from blood or saliva are quite demanding and require sample processing. More...

The most common method, therefore, involves collecting urine over several days. However, this method requires great perseverance from patients, as collecting every drop of urine over several days can be nearly impossible, even if the patients are hospitalized. This often leads to up to 60% variation in urine-free cortisol measurements in individual patients. Now, researchers have developed a new method for measuring cortisol levels directly from a blood sample, marking a significant advancement in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases.

Researchers from Aarhus University (Aarhus, Denmark) have discovered a groundbreaking method for measuring levels of free cortisol directly from a blood sample. This new method is simple and quick, requiring only a few drops of blood. This contrasts sharply with current practices, which are both cumbersome and inaccurate. Traditional tests, for instance, cannot differentiate between synthetic and natural cortisol. This limitation is problematic in patients who have been treated with synthetic cortisol, as it can lead to misdiagnoses or incorrect medication dosages. The new method addresses these issues by employing a cell-based assay, which not only improves the accuracy and reliability of cortisol measurements but also reduces the high variation commonly seen in patient samples

An assay is an analytical procedure used to measure a substance's level, in this case, cortisol. The most common method currently is immunoassays using antibodies. However, the new method uses the cell-based assay HEK293F-GRE, which allows for the measurement of the total level of cortisol, including both natural free cortisol and synthetic cortisol from medicinal products. This new test has the potential to be a game-changer for diagnosing and treating patients who require cortisol regulation. This includes individuals with stress-related illnesses like anxiety and depression, chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer, and inflammatory diseases like allergies and asthma. While there is still a need to explore how to best integrate this method into clinical practice, the goal is to make the test available using a standard blood sample for doctors, thereby improving patient care.

"Being able to measure the total cortisol level accurately means we can potentially adapt treatment more precisely and reduce the risk of side effects," said Andreas Lodberg, MD and postdoc at the Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University. "Our validation shows that this method meets the stringent criteria set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, making it a promising candidate for future use in clinical laboratories."

Related Links:
Aarhus University 


Gold Member
Hematology Analyzer
Medonic M32B
Portable Electronic Pipette
Mini 96
ESR Analyzer
TEST1 2.0
Gold Member
Cardiovascular Risk Test
Metabolic Syndrome Array I & II
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: New evidence shows viscoelastic testing can improve assessment of blood clotting during postpartum hemorrhage (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Viscoelastic Testing Could Improve Treatment of Maternal Hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage, severe bleeding after childbirth, remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide, yet many of these deaths are preventable. Standard care can be hindered by delays... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The CloneSeq-SV approach can allow researchers to study how cells within high-grade serous ovarian cancer change over time (Photo courtesy of MSK)

Blood Test Tracks Treatment Resistance in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is often diagnosed at an advanced stage because it spreads microscopically throughout the abdomen, and although initial surgery and chemotherapy can work, most... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The collaboration aims to improve access to Hb variant testing with the Gazelle POC diagnostic platform (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

Terumo BCT and Hemex Health Collaborate to Improve Access to Testing for Hemoglobin Disorders

Millions of people worldwide living with sickle cell disease and other hemoglobin disorders experience delayed diagnosis and limited access to effective care, particularly in regions where testing is scarce.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.