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Heterophile Antibodies

Meaning

Heterophile antibodies are a class of non-specific, endogenous antibodies that can bind to antigens from two or more unrelated species, often possessing a low affinity for their target. In the clinical laboratory, their presence poses a significant challenge because they can cross-react with the capture and detection antibodies used in many immunoassays, including those for measuring hormones. This cross-reactivity leads to erroneous results, typically causing falsely elevated or depressed hormone levels that do not correlate with the patient’s true physiological state. Recognizing and mitigating the impact of these antibodies is a critical aspect of accurate endocrine diagnostics.