For what its worth
The answers can be found in metrology or if lost in astrology. Measurand is defined as (by VIM 2.6)as p"articular quatity subject to measurment". Measurand implies that the measurment is traceable and the uncertainity of the measurment is known.
I would suggest that Cholesterol and HbA1c are the only two that could in any way be described as a measurand for this list. If you are realy having a slow day , I would suggest you read EA-4/xx from European coperation for Accreditation or alternatively go to the pub.
Happy Christmas,
Edward
Mr Edward M Kearney, MSc, MCB, FRCPath,
Consultant Clinical Biochemist,
East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust,
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital,
St Peters Road,
Margate,
Kent,
CT9 4AN
UK
Phone 01843 234424
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>>> JG MIDDLE <[log in to unmask]> 12/24/03 10:01am >>>
Hi chaps
Some recent postings and discussions with a training course class this year, have prompted me to pose some Christmas questions. I have a small side bet on who will respond first!
My purpose is to stimulate debate about the words we use to describe the 'things' we 'measure' and whether we share a common understanding of them. I am not an expert, I may not be phrasing the questions in the right way, and I don't know what the right answers are, but the reponses might be interesting!
The following is a list of some common 'tests' in most labs' repertoire (assume all are serum/plasma/whole blood as appropriate).
[1] alkaline phosphatase
[2] cholesterol
[3] Ca125
[4] free T4
[5] HbA1c
[6] oestradiol
[7] Troponin I
[8] TSH
[9] SHBG
[10] sodium
In each case, can they be described as 'analytes' or 'measurands'?
Is this is a silly question because the terms are equivalent, or is it a highly pertinent one as they have different meanings, or does this only matter to the 'anoraks'?
And how does our understanding of what is being 'tested for' or 'measured' depend on the method of analysis and the 'signal-producing entity' within it?
Happy Christmas!
Jonathan Middle
UK NEQAS Birmingham
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