2024 · European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology · paywalled
Proof-of-concept study: Remote capillary blood collection for hCG analysis in early pregnancy
Joyce et al.
The finding, in our words
The study found excellent agreement between hCG levels measured in remotely collected capillary blood and standard venous samples, with a near-perfect correlation. This demonstrates that remote self-collection is a feasible and acceptable alternative for serial pregnancy monitoring, reducing the need for clinic visits.
A paraphrase to the Library’s standard, never the abstract. The source is one link away and is always the authority.
Home DBS sampling gave testosterone results that agreed well with venous blood in men on intramuscular testosterone undecanoate, but showed falsely high values in those using topical gel, likely from skin contamination. Patients preferred home collection for its convenience, suggesting DBS is viable for decentralised monitoring of injectable testosterone if patients are taught proper technique.
Olthof et al., Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine (paywalled) · source ↗
A 2025 review maps 28 microsampling devices, from dried spots and volumetric absorptive tips to upper-arm liquid capillary collectors, and names what a laboratory must control before their results are used: the haematocrit effect in non-volumetric dried samples, interstitial fluid from finger milking, volume, haemolysis and transport stability. Regulators on both sides of the Atlantic ask for the same two things, a device the patient can use safely and a sample fit for the test.
The TAP device showed near perfect agreement with venous sampling for anti-Müllerian hormone measurements, with higher accuracy and lower pain compared to ADx card. This validates TAP as a reliable option for patient-led fertility hormone testing at home.
Silliman et al., Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E · source ↗
Self-collected salivary progesterone and the ratio of estradiol to progesterone showed strong agreement with serum levels, supporting the use of saliva as a noninvasive matrix for monitoring the menstrual cycle.
Goldenstein et al., Physiological reports · source ↗
Capillary fingerstick sampling showed high correlation and agreement with venous sampling for serum AMH but with proportional bias, so it may improve access to testing yet should not be considered fully interchangeable without further validation.
Lavadia et al., Clinical and experimental reproductive medicine (paywalled) · source ↗