What is the Origin of Serum Markers?

The concept of serum markers is fundamental to clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine, dating back to the earliest development of blood assays. Modern endocrinology relies heavily on sophisticated immunoassays and mass spectrometry to precisely measure these circulating molecules.

What is the Mechanism of Serum Markers?

Serum markers function by reflecting the concentration of substances released into the circulation from various tissues or glands. For example, TSH levels reflect the feedback status of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, while elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) serves as a marker of systemic inflammation. Monitoring the kinetics of these markers provides a real-time, objective assessment of endocrine function and metabolic health.

Serum Markers

Meaning

Quantifiable biochemical substances detectable in the blood serum that serve as indicators of normal or pathological processes, therapeutic response, or physiological status within the body. In endocrinology, these markers, which include hormones, binding globulins, metabolites, and enzymes, are indispensable tools for diagnosis, monitoring treatment efficacy, and assessing systemic health risks.