J Lab Med Qual Assur.  2017 Sep;39(3):124-131. 10.15263/jlmqa.2017.39.3.124.

Survey of Eight Hormone Tests Used by Clinical Laboratories in Korea

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. nayadoo@hanmail.net
  • 2Department of Laboratory Medicine, Green Cross Laboratories, Yongin, Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND
This study aimed to investigate the current statuses of eight hormone tests (testosterone, estradiol, prolactin, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, parathyroid hormone, and thyroglobulin) used by clinical laboratories in Korea.
METHODS
From November 1 to December 31, 2016, we surveyed 300 laboratories that participated in the regular proficiency survey program administered by the Korean Association of Quality Assurance for Clinical Laboratory. The survey comprised a questionnaire designed to address factors related to these hormone tests, including the measurement methods, instruments, test numbers per month, turnaround times, reporting units and ranges, reference ranges, and internal or external quality control methods.
RESULTS
Fifty-four (18.0%) of 300 laboratories replied to the survey questionnaire. Each laboratory performed hormone analyses that used variable instruments, commercial kits, and calibrators. The test numbers per month, turnaround times, and reporting units (particularly for testosterone) varied among laboratories. Most laboratories used reference intervals that had been transferred from other references and were verified using in-house samples. Many laboratories that assessed luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and parathyroid hormone levels did not participate in the proficiency survey program conducted by The Korean Association of Quality Assurance for Clinical Laboratory.
CONCLUSIONS
We hope that the results of this study, which investigated the status of hormone testing at Korean diagnostic laboratories, will facilitate improvements in the quality of hormone testing and promote the development of guidelines for testing.

Keyword

Surveys and questionnaires; Laboratory proficiency testing; Clinical laboratory services; Hormones

MeSH Terms

Clinical Laboratory Services
Estradiol
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Hope
Korea*
Laboratory Proficiency Testing
Luteinizing Hormone
Parathyroid Hormone
Progesterone
Prolactin
Quality Control
Reference Values
Surveys and Questionnaires
Estradiol
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Luteinizing Hormone
Parathyroid Hormone
Progesterone
Prolactin
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