- ✓Blood samples stored at room temperature for up to 10 hours still produce accurate results for 17 important analytes, including thyroid and hormone markers.
| Journal | Scandinavian journal of clinical and laboratory investigation |
| Year | 2025 |
| Authors | Wigh, Strandberg, Mosgaard |
| PMID | 40586423 |
| DOI | 10.1080/00365513.2025.2524725 |
What This Study Found
A 2025 study from Aalborg University Hospital in Denmark tested whether blood samples stay reliable during transport to a lab. Researchers measured 17 different substances in blood — including thyroid hormones, insulin-like growth factor, and prolactin — at the start, after 6 hours, and after 10 hours at room temperature (about 70°F). All 17 substances remained stable and accurate at both time points, with no meaningful changes in their measured levels.
Why This Matters for You
If you've ever wondered whether your blood test results could be affected by how long your sample sat before being analyzed, this study offers reassurance. In many areas — including rural locations — blood drawn at a doctor's office doesn't get tested on the spot. It travels to a hospital or regional lab, sometimes taking several hours to arrive.
This research confirms that for these 17 analytes, that travel time does not distort your results. That means your doctor can trust the numbers they're reading, and you can feel more confident in decisions made from those results.
Which Tests Were Included?
The 17 substances tested cover a wide range of health markers. Several are especially relevant to people managing diabetes or related conditions:
- Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) — linked to metabolism and growth hormone activity
- Thyroid hormones and antibodies — thyroid issues are more common in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- Prolactin — a hormone that can affect blood sugar regulation
- Apolipoprotein B — a key marker of cardiovascular risk, which is elevated in many people with diabetes
- 17-Hydroxyprogesterone — used to screen for certain hormonal disorders
What the Researchers Did
The team recruited 10 volunteers at Aalborg University Hospital. Each person had three blood sample tubes drawn. The samples were tested immediately, then again after 6 hours and 10 hours — all stored at room temperature. The lab used internationally accredited methods (ISO-15189 certified) to make sure measurements were precise.
The goal was practical: Denmark's North Jutland Region runs a daily blood transport service from local clinics to hospital labs. To be included in that service, an analyte must stay stable for at least 10 hours. All 17 analytes passed.
What This Doesn't Tell Us
It's important to note that this study used a small sample of 10 people and was conducted in controlled conditions. Results may differ with extreme temperatures — such as a very hot car or freezing conditions — during real-world transport. Some analytes not tested here, like glucose or certain clotting factors, are known to be more sensitive to time and temperature.
The Bottom Line
If you're monitoring your diabetes health through regular blood work — including thyroid panels, lipid markers, or hormone levels — this research supports the reliability of results even when your sample travels to a regional lab. For tools to help you track and understand your diabetes-related lab results, visit mdsdiabetes.com.
Citation
Wigh, Strandberg, Mosgaard (2025). Preanalytical stability of 17 analytes in whole blood during transportation. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation. PMID: 40586423. DOI: 10.1080/00365513.2025.2524725