Clinical Endocrinology relies on the provision of WHO International Standards for the calibration of immunoassays used in the diagnosis of disorders of the endocrine system. NIBSC is also actively involved in the development of novel and improved assay technologies in this area. Current standardisation activities include the provision of International Standards for insulin, C-peptide, proinsulin, parathyroid hormone and SHBG. The section is also developing assays for thyroid-stimulating antibodies and for the detection of neutralising antibodies to therapeutic medicines. Details of the section’s activities in the biotherapeutics field can be found here.

Image: Insulin hexamer (Chang et al, Biochem, 1997).