Abstract

Advantage of Steroid Analysis by LC-MS/MS in Laboratory Medicine

Uta Ceglarek, Senior Scientist, University Hospital Leipzig

At present, the use of LC-MS/MS becomes increasingly important in clinical laboratory diagnostics. The spectrum of MS applications ranges from the measurement of single analytes to qualitative and quantitative multiparametric analyses. The actual development of mass spectrometry based analytical platforms for the determination of single steroid or steroid patterns seems to be an alternative analytical approach combining multi-parametric analysis, high sensitivity and specificity as well simple sample pretreatment, robustness and low running costs for steroid analysis. In the near future it has to become evident if the analytical advantages of LC-MS/MS will lead to relevant new insights into to the physiology or pathophysiology of diseases that are associated with disturbances in steroid metabolism. Additionally, a substantial contribution of the LC-MS/MS methodology to the standardization and harmonisation of steroid measurements in clinical routine applications will be expected. The application of LC-MS/MS as an alternative routine high-throughput platform for steroid analysis and its perspective role in the standardization and harmonisation of steroid measurements in clinical routine application will be discussed.