title: An immunoglobulin G complexed form of thyroid-stimulating hormone (macro thyroid-stimulating hormone) is a cause of elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Macrocomplexes can be the cause of elevated serum hormone concentrations and may cause diagnostic confusion. This is well recognized for prolactin and commonly screened for using polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation. The phenomenon and a suitable screening method is less familiar with respect to thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples sent to the laboratory for routine analysis of thyroid function and found to have a TSH >10 mU/L were evaluated to determine the prevalence of macro-TSH in the Roche Elecsys assay, using PEG precipitation with confirmation by gel filtration chromatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 495 samples tested, 3 (0.6%) were found to have macro-TSH. From the distribution of recoveries, a cut-off <25% was determined for identifying samples requiring further investigation for the presence of macro-TSH.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of elevated TSH due to macro-TSH was found to be 0.6%. Laboratories should be aware of this cause of assay interference.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK. francesca.mills@nhs.net
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: Jinny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jeffery
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mackenzie
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cranfield
authors.forename: Ruth M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Ayling
mesh_terms: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D003409:Congenital Hypothyroidism / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D011485:Protein Binding; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D013972:Thyrotropin
keywords: Thyroid hormones; analytes; clinical studies; immunoassay; laboratory methods; thyroid disease