Interference Studies: Hemolysis, Lipemia & Icterus¶
Interference is anything in a sample that distorts the true analyte result. This page explains how Migibio evaluates the three classic interferents — hemolysis, lipemia, and icterus (HIL) — plus common chemical interferents.
Why Interference Matters for POCT¶
POCT often uses whole blood or samples collected under less-controlled conditions than a central lab. This makes interference testing more important for POCT, not less — a hemolyzed sample is common in a busy clinic.
The Three Classic Interferents¶
| Interferent | Source | Affects |
|---|---|---|
| Hemolysis (H) | RBC rupture (poor collection) | Fluorescence quenching, analyte release |
| Lipemia (L) | High triglycerides (non-fasted) | Light scattering, matrix effects |
| Icterus (I) | High bilirubin (liver disease) | Spectral overlap |
Interference Testing Protocol¶
- Spike increasing concentrations of interferent into a sample with known analyte.
- Measure the analyte at each interferent level.
- Compare to the un-spiked value — a deviation beyond a threshold (e.g., ±10%) indicates interference.
FICT's Advantage: Spectral Separation¶
Fluorescence detection uses spectral separation — the excitation and emission wavelengths are distinct from interferent absorption. This inherently reduces (though does not eliminate) HIL interference compared to absorbance-based methods.
FAQ¶
How much hemolysis is acceptable? It is assay-specific and stated in the IFU. Instrument spectral correction and sample-QC prompts flag grossly hemolyzed samples.
Does lipemia always interfere? Not always — it depends on the analyte and the degree of lipemia. The IFU specifies acceptable limits for each assay.
For the full validation framework, see Validation Methodology.
Authored by: Migibio Clinical & Scientific Affairs, Guangzhou Magic Biotech Co., Ltd.
Reviewed by: Migibio R&D Quality Committee
Last updated: 2026-08-13
Disclosure: Migibio (Guangzhou Magic Biotech Co., Ltd.) is the manufacturer of the FIA680/FIA880 analyzers and FICT reagents referenced in this content. See our Editorial & Review Policy.