Box 1.

Common tests performed by immunoassays

  • All endocrine tests (eg pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, parathyroid, pancreatic, gonadal, hCG, GI hormones)

  • Tumour markers, eg PSA, β-hCG, thyroglobulin, CEA

  • Cardiac biomarkers such as troponins and myoglobin

  • Rheumatoid factor

  • Allergy and allergen-specific IgE

  • Vitamin B12/folic acid

  • Specific serum proteins such as Ferritin, α-fetoprotein, sex hormone binding globulin

  • Specific antibodies against bacteria/viruses, eg hepatitis, HIV, CMV, rubella, syphilis

  • Anti-endocrine gland antibodies, eg thyroid peroxidase, thyroglobulin, intrinsic factor, adrenal

  • Therapeutic drug monitoring such as digoxin, gentamicin, cyclosporine

  • Drugs of abuse, eg cannabis and opiates

  • Although this list does not include all immunoassay tests, it highlights the wide range of analyses predominantly performed by this technology

  • CEA = carcinembryonic antigen, CMV = cytomegalovirus; GI = gastrointestinal hormones; hCG = human chorionic gonadotrophin; PSA = prostate-specific antigen