Open AccessComparison of the effect of gel used in two different serum separator tubes for thyroid function tests
Author(s) -
Ercan Müjgan,
Fırat Oğuz Esra,
Akbulut Emiş Deniz,
Yilmaz Mustafa,
Turhan Turan
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of clinical laboratory analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1098-2825
pISSN - 0887-8013
DOI - 10.1002/jcla.22427
Subject(s) - vacutainer , immunoassay , free thyroxine , triiodothyronine , chromatography , medicine , thyroid stimulating hormone , analyte , thyroid , endocrinology , thyroid function , chemistry , immunology , antibody
Background Selection and verification of blood collection tubes is an important preanalytical issue in clinical laboratories. Today, gel tubes are commonly used with many advantages, although they are known to cause interference in immunoassay methods. In this study, we aimed to compare SST s of two different suppliers (Ayset clot activator & Gel and Becton Dickinson ( BD ) Vacutainer SST II advance) with reference tubes and evaluate the effect of storage time in terms of commonly used endocrine tests such as thyroid‐stimulating hormone ( TSH ), free thyroxine ( fT 4), and free triiodothyronine ( fT 3). Methods Fifty‐five volunteers were included in the study. Samples were taken into three different tubes and analyzed for serum TSH , fT 4, and fT 3 on Architect ci8200 Immunoassay System. Clinical decision levels were estimated using total allowable error ( TE a). Results No difference was found between tubes in terms of TSH , fT 3, and fT 4 levels. From a statistical standpoint, TSH and fT 4 levels were no longer stable during 24, 48, and 72 hours storage time periods. However, their variations were not clinically significant. Conclusion Ayset clot activator & Gel tubes and BD Vacutainer SST II advance tubes have comparable results with glass tube in terms of TSH , fT 3, and fT 4 levels on Architect ci8200 Immunoassay Systems. From a clinical standpoint, serum TSH , fT 4, and fT 3 concentrations may be considered as stable when storing these tubes over 72 hours.