The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) has published Mass Spectrometry for Androgen and Estrogen Measurements in Serum (C57-Ed1).

This document is intended to aid the laboratorian in developing appropriate procedures for the use of mass spectrometry in the measurement of androgens and estrogens.

C57 provides details specific to androgen and estrogen measurement procedures with respect to preexamination (preanalytical) considerations, mass spectrometry (MS) technologies, measurement procedure and run validation, as well as postexamination (postanalytical) considerations. The document aims to help laboratories overcome some of the current limitations in androgen and estrogen testing, and therefore aid in improving patient care and research translation. 

“C57 provides users with best practices for development and implementation of clinical mass spectrometry–based methods for androgens and estrogens. The document also provides essential information needed to overcome unique challenges associated with accurate measurement of these hormones, and will therefore facilitate improvements in the quality of patient care,” notes C57 Document Development Committee Co-Chairholder, Lorin M. Bachmann, PhD, DABCC, Co-Director of Clinical Chemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University, in Richmond, Virginia, USA.

This document is intended for laboratorians who perform or plan to perform androgen and/or estrogen tests by MS, MS assay developers, and physicians and researchers involved in androgen and/or estrogen testing.

CLSI is a not-for-profit membership organization that brings together the varied perspectives and expertise of the worldwide laboratory community for the advancement of a common cause: to foster excellence in laboratory medicine by developing and implementing clinical laboratory standards and guidelines that help laboratories fulfill their responsibilities with efficiency, effectiveness, and global applicability.

more about CLSI