RESUMO
This paper summarises the results of the evaluation of a heterologous enzyme immunoassay in antibody coated tubes for the determination of triiodothyronine (T3) by a group of 11 laboratories. The assay procedure is analogous to an established heterologous thyroxine enzyme immunoassay. The evaluation demonstrated that 1. the specificity of the assay and its analytical range between 0.46 and 9.2 nmol/l meet diagnostic requirements, 2. the intra- and interassay precision was in accordance with that commonly found in radio immunoassays, 3. the recovery of added T3 was between 90 and 103%, 4. the results agreed well with those of self-established radio immunoassays and were comparable with commercial RIA kits, 5. there was no interference by hyperbilirubinaemia or by high concentrations of bile acids, but interference can occur in very haemolytic and lipaemic samples. The great advantage of T3 enzyme immunoassays lies in the absence of restrictions and any authorization needed for working with radioactive substances.