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
ZeptoMetrix an Antylia scientific company

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
Fully Automated Cell Density/Viability Analyzer
BioProfile FAST CDV
Verification Panels for Assay Development & QC
Seroconversion Panels
New
Silver Member
Fixed Speed Tube Rocker
GTR-FS
New
Chlamydia Trachomatis Assay
Chlamydia Trachomatis IgG
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: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The cancer stem cell test can accurately choose more effective treatments (Photo courtesy of University of Cincinnati)

Stem Cell Test Predicts Treatment Outcome for Patients with Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer frequently responds to chemotherapy initially, but eventually, the tumor develops resistance to the therapy, leading to regrowth. This resistance is partially due to the activation... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The new algorithms can help predict which patients have undiagnosed cancer (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)

Advanced Predictive Algorithms Identify Patients Having Undiagnosed Cancer

Two newly developed advanced predictive algorithms leverage a person’s health conditions and basic blood test results to accurately predict the likelihood of having an undiagnosed cancer, including ch... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.