Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: During a normal menstrual cycle, serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P4) can vary widely between cycles for the same woman, as well as between different women. Reliable reference values based on the local population are important for correct interpretation of laboratory results.

Aims: To evaluate the discrepancy of the results on fertility hormones by two different techniques.

Material and methods: We analyzed 130 patient samples processed: ci16200 ARCHITECT (Abbott) by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA), and COBAS E-411 (Roche) by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). We compared normal and pathological findings for women in follicular (FP), ovulatory (OP), luteal phase (LP), in menopause and in men, according to the normal ranges of each manufacturer. Discrepant pathological values are considered an increase/decrease in 5% of concordant results between two techniques.

Results: The results provided by COBAS increase E2 30%, FSH 17%, LH 39% and P4 just 4%. Reviewing the results of the assays performed is concluded that the pathological discrepant for low cutoff (LC) and high cutoff (HC) are present: E2, LC: 17.3% in OP, 18% in LP, −9.5% in FP, −7.9% in menopause. HC: 11.8% in FP, 10.2% in LP, −20.5% in menopause. FSH, LC: 17.7% in OP. HC: −9.2% in LP. LH, LC: −6% in FP and −16% in menopause. HC: 8.5% in men and −6.1% in FP. P4, LC: 13.4% in men and FP. HC: −57% in men, −37% in FP, −5.9% in LP and −46% in menopause.

Conclusions: Normal values offered by manufacturers are very similar. The results obtained by COBAS are higher than ARCHITECT to E2, FSH and LH. There is discrepancy for P4 and E2 as there is an increase and/or decrease very marked pathological results depending on the demographic universe although slight discrepancy also exists for FSH and LH.