Direct total and free testosterone measurement by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry across two different platforms

ObjectivesTo develop and validate liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) methods for the direct measurement of total and free testosterone in patient samples on two different analytical systems.Design and methodsAn API 4000 and 5000 triple quadropoles were used and compared; the former is reported to be 3–5 times less sensitive, as was used to set the quantitation limits. Free testosterone was separated from the protein-bound fraction by equilibrium dialysis followed by derivatization. Either free or total testosterone, and a deuterated internal standard (d3-testosterone) were extracted by liquid–liquid extraction. The validation results were compared to two different clinical laboratories.ResultsThe use of d2-testosterone was found to be unacceptable for our method. The total testosterone LC–MS/MS methods on both systems were linear over a wide concentration range of 1.5–2000 ng/dL. Free testosterone was measured directly using equilibrium dialysis coupled LC–MS/MS and linear over the concentration range of 2.5–2500 pg/mL. Good correlation (total testosterone, R2 = 0.96; free testosterone, R2 = 0.98) was observed between our LC–MS/MS systems and comparator laboratory. However, differences in absolute values for both free and total testosterone measurements were observed while a comparison to a second published LC–MS/MS method showed excellent correlation. Free and total testosterone measurements correlated well with clinical observations.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first published validation of free and total testosterone methods across two analytical systems of different analytical sensitivities. A less sensitive system does not sacrifice analytical or clinical sensitivity to directly measure free and total testosterone in patient samples.

► Direct measurement of free and total testosterone by LC-MS/MS across two instruments.
► A less sensitive MS system does not sacrifice analytical or clinical sensitivity.
► d2-Testosterone found to be unacceptable for testosterone measurement.