Enzyme immunoassay of free triiodothyronine in serum.

In this new solid-phase antibody enzyme immunoassay for free triiodothyronine (FT3) in serum, beta-D-galactosidase conjugated to triiodothyronine is used. Results are uninfluenced by physiological concentrations of thyroxin-binding globulin or albumin. Results correlate well with those determined by equilibrium dialysis (r = 0.95). The mean CVs within and between assays were 6.1 and 9.5%, respectively. The measurable range of FT3 in serum is 0.7 to 26 ng/L; the normal reference interval is 1.9 to 8.9 ng/L. Concentrations of FT3 in serum of patients with hyperthyroidism were high; those of patients with hypothyroidism were within normal limits or low, and those of patients with congenitally decreased or increased TBG were within the normal range. In normal pregnant women, concentrations of FT3 as determined by radioimmunoassay correlated with those of albumin, declining as pregnancy progressed, but FT3 values determined by the proposed method or equilibrium dialysis were within the normal range and did not change during pregnancy.