LC–MS/MS detection of thyroid hormone metabolites in tissue samples

Evaluation of: Ackermans MT, Kettelarij-Haas Y, Boelen A, Endert E. Determination of thyroid hormones and their metabolites in tissue using SPE UPLC-tandem MS. Biomed. Chromatogr. 26(4), 485-490 (2012). Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry is used in research laboratories as a gold standard for endocrine analytics. This technology provides a precise tool for the measurement of serum and tissue thyroid hormones (TH) and their deiodinated metabolites. The 'inactive pro-hormone' 3,3´,5,5´-tetraiodo-l-thyronine (T₄) is synthesized in and secreted by the thyroid gland. Activation and inactivation of T₄ in the brain, liver and other tissues is controlled by the iodothyronine deiodinases through the sequential removal of iodine atoms resulting in eight TH derivatives: tri- (T₃, rT₃), di- (3,5-T₂, 3,3´-T₂, 3´,5´-T₂), monoiodothyronines (3-T₁, 3´-T₁) and the iodine-free l-thyronine (T₀). This methodical article fits very well into the current line of research on analytics and local metabolism of TH.