LC-MS/MS-Based Method for Long-Term Steroid Profiling in Human Scalp Hair

The study developed and validated a method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for long-term steroid profiling in human scalp hair, focusing on steroids like cortisol, cortisone, testosterone, androstenedione, DHEAS, and 17OHP. The method demonstrated functional sensitivity with quantification limits for these steroids ranging from <1.3 to <15.9 pg/mg hair. Over a 9-month period, the inter-run coefficients of variation (CVs) were below 16% for all steroids, and intra-individual CVs were below 15% for all except 17OHP, which was 19.7%. This method offered potential for new clinical and research applications in endocrinology by providing insights into long-term steroid concentrations.