Determining trace elements in blood serum and plasma

The determination of trace elements in human samples is a crucial method in medical diagnostics, commonly analyzing whole blood, serum, plasma, and urine for various elements. Essential trace elements like copper, zinc, selenium, and iodine serve as biomarkers for diagnosing diseases, while toxic elements such as lead, chromium, cadmium, nickel, and mercury are monitored for occupational exposure. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is preferred for its multi-element capability, high sensitivity, and efficiency. According to EU regulation (EU) 2017/746 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR), medical laboratories must use certified kits for these analyses, with in-house developed tests permitted only when no certified kit is available. AnalytikJena discusses using a CE and IVDR-ready kit for trace element analysis in serum and plasma by ICP-MS/MS with the PlasmaQuant MS ICP-MS, demonstrating its effectiveness in accurately determining low elemental concentrations with minimal sample preparation.