A sensitive method detecting trace levels of levonorgestrel using LC-HRMS

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Published: 2019-06-20

Formatted citation

Abujrais S, Olovsson M, Ahnoff M, Rasmusson AJ, Larsson A, Åkerfeldt T, Kultima K.. A sensitive method detecting trace levels of levonorgestrel using LC-HRMS.
Contraception. (2019). DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2019.06.001

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To develop a high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) method to quantify levonorgestrel (LNG) in serum. STUDY DESIGN: Levonorgestrel was extracted using solid phase extraction and measured using liquid chromatography (LC) HRMS. RESULTS: Low limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 25 pg/mL and low limit of detection (LLOD) was 12.5 pg/mL. Precision and accuracy bias were <10%. LNG in serum samples from Mirena® users ranged between 37 to 219 pg/mL (n=12). In eight out of 22 patients with suspected intrauterine device (IUD) expulsion LNG was detected (26-1272 pg/mL). CONCLUSION: A sensitive, fast and simple LC-HRMS method was developed to detect trace levels of LNG.