Development of an LC-HRMS/MS Method for Quantifying Steroids and Thyroid Hormones in Capillary Blood: A Potential Tool for Assessing Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)
Tuma et al.
The finding, in our words
The authors validated an LC-HRMS/MS assay for steroids and thyroid hormones in 30 microlitres of capillary blood collected with Neoteryx Mitra VAMS devices, demonstrating storage stability of over 28 days frozen and 14 days at room temperature. Using authentic samples from 50 healthy active adults, the method showed adequate sensitivity to detect the reduced hormone concentrations seen in relative energy deficiency in sport, supporting self-collected VAMS as a practical tool for regular hormone monitoring in athletes.
A paraphrase to the Library’s standard, never the abstract. The source is one link away and is always the authority.
Capillary blood collected with Neoteryx Mitra VAMS microsampling devices can quantify IGF-1 by automated chemiluminescent immunoassay after aqueous extraction. The hormone is stable for at least one month at room temperature, and dried blood concentrations match serum after dilution correction, though capillary samples underestimate high serum values, supporting patient-centric, decentralised endocrine monitoring but requiring population-specific reference ranges.
Marchand et al., Growth hormone & IGF research : official journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society (paywalled) · source ↗
The study developed and validated a LC-HRMS method for intact IGF-I from VAMS dried blood according to World Anti-Doping Agency requirements and showed agreement with serum measurements, supporting decentralised sampling for antidoping testing.
Mongongu et al., Bioanalysis (paywalled) · source ↗
This review found that volumetric microsampling devices, such as Mitra, HemaPEN, HemaXis DB10, and Tasso-M20, overcome haematocrit bias, whilst Telimmune plasma separation cards enable direct plasma collection without centrifugation. These technologies support patient-centric, decentralised sampling, though the authors note that clinical validation remains limited across different drugs and patient populations.
Huhn & Scherf-Clavel, Therapeutic drug monitoring (paywalled) · source ↗
A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was successfully validated for measuring androstenedione, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, and 11-ketotestosterone in dried blood samples collected via volumetric absorptive microsampling. The dried samples remained stable at room temperature for up to a week and after postal transit, and plasma concentrations could be reliably estimated from the microsamples when adjusting for haematocrit.
Capillary samples collected using dried blood spots and Mitra microsamplers showed strong agreement with venous plasma for quantifying IgG antibodies against most vaccine-preventable diseases. Sensitivity was high for the majority of pathogens, though the study noted that antibody stability declined at room temperature over time, favouring cold storage for longer durations.
Ombati et al., Scientific reports (paywalled) · source ↗