Scheme Information Sheets
Peptide Hormones I
| Scheme Particulars | Indicative Details |
|---|---|
| Accreditation body | UKAS |
| ISO/IEC Accreditation status | ISO/IEC 17043:2023 |
| UKAS Accredited Proficiency Testing Provider No | 7860 |
| Objective of Scheme | Provides EQA coverage for Peptide Hormone Assays. FSH and LH are measured in the investigation of reproductive function. Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) is mainly used to assess ovarian reserve prior to fertility treatment. Prolactin is measured to investigate and monitor conditions affecting hormone balance due to hyperprolactinaemia. Growth Hormone (GH) is used to investigate disorders of growth hormone production including GH deficiency in paediatrics and acromegaly in adults. Separate specimens are provided for each Peptide Hormone (except LH and FSH which share the same specimen). This allows predominantly endogenous material to be able to be used, thus giving you confidence in the performance of your assay. Immunoassays are prone to interference therefore it is important to use minimally manipulated material |
| Pre-, Analytical, Post- status | Analytical |
| Number of distributions per year (nominal) | 11 |
| Specimens per distribution | 3 |
| Number of Specimens per annum | 33 |
| Frequency of distribution | Monthly |
| Scoring system | ABC |
| Material distributed | Pooled or single donations of liquid human serum with or without exogenous added analyte |
| Programme Director(s) / Organiser(s) | Rachel Marrington |
| Criteria for participation | All, but overseas by courier |
| Nominal sample volume (mL) | 0.5 |
| Sample presentation TACs | Individual tubes for all analytes, except LH/FSH which share a single tube |
| Data in Chemistry on-line Dashboard | Yes |
| Analyte | Approx Range | Default Units | Target Value | B Score Limit (%) * | C Score Limit (%) * |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMH | 0 – 50 | pmol/L | MLTM | 20.0 | 15.0 |
| FSH | 0 – 120 | U/L | MLTM | 20.0 | 15.0 |
| Growth Hormone | 0 – 10 | µg/L | MLTM | 20.0 | 20.0 |
| LH | 0 – 50 | U/L | MLTM | 20.0 | 15.0 |
| Prolactin | 0 – 1500 | mU/L | MLTM | 20.0 | 15.0 |
* Under review and likely to be reduced from April 2027
| Abbreviation | Expansion |
|---|---|
| ALTM | All Laboratory Trimmed Mean |
| GLTM | Group Laboratory Trimmed Mean – which is the Method Principle Mean |
| MLTM | Method Laboratory Trimmed Mean – usually a manufacturer system / analyser mean |
| XALTM | An external value that may be from a Reference Method System |
| OGLTM | A Method Principle Mean used as the target for all laboratories |
| OMLTM | A specific Method Mean used as a target for all laboratories |
| OMMED | A Method Median used as the target for all laboratories |
| MED | Median |
The allows us to predominantly use endogenous material with minimal manipulation therefore allowing specimens to be as 'commutable' (similar) as possible to patient samples. This will also allow us to cover a wide concentration range without impacting other analytes.
The aim is to ultimately offer Macroprolactin and Monomeric Prolactin by April 2027. We are working with colleagues to prepare a synthetic Macroprolactin. These analytes will not initially be accredited to ISO/IEC 17043:2023 (but we are not aware that any UK EQA provider is accredited to ISO/IEC 17043:2023 for Macroprolactin and Monomeric Prolactin). If you are able to provide any clinical material which is positive for Macroprolactin / Monomeric Prolactin, then please contact Birmingham Quality.
We will be using a Method Laboratory Trimmed Mean (MLTM) Target Value for all analytes. The reason for this is because different manufacturers give different results and we do not know what the 'correct' result is therefore the ALTM is not really suitable especially when working up a new Scheme and in the first few months there may be changes in the proportion of participants contributing to each manufacturer, therefore impacting the Target Value, if the ALTM. There are no Reference Measurement Procedure services available and the existing legacy IRPs have not undergone commutability studies with the current methodologies. We will be monitoring longitudinal method performance to identify insidious method drift.
We do plan to have shared material distributions with some analytes in the Steroid Hormones Scheme and also UK NEQAS Guildford Peptide Hormones. This will allow specific scientific studies to be undertaken in the relevant areas which may include pre- and post-analytical elements.
- Peptide Hormones I 2027 schedule 42 KB
- Roche Analyser Guidance 125 KB
