The case for DBS
Dried blood spot sampling offers compelling practical advantages over traditional venepuncture. Collection requires only a finger-prick lancet and a filter paper card — no phlebotomist, no centrifuge, no cold chain. Samples are stable at ambient temperature during postal transit, can be shipped as non-infectious material at reduced cost, and require significantly less blood volume (typically 20–50 µL per spot versus 5–10 mL for venous collection).
These characteristics make DBS the collection method of choice for remote testing, at-home programmes, paediatric sampling, and resource-limited settings where venepuncture infrastructure isn't available.
Analytical equivalence
A common concern is whether DBS results are equivalent to those from venous blood. For many analytes — particularly when measured by LC-MS/MS — modern DBS methods achieve excellent correlation with serum or plasma results. Masdiag has validated over 35 analytes from DBS, with published method comparisons demonstrating equivalence for biomarkers including vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, homocysteine, and CoQ10.
The key is laboratory-specific validation. Not all DBS methods are created equal — the quality of the collection card, the extraction protocol, and the analytical technique all affect result accuracy.
When venous collection still wins
DBS is not suitable for every analyte or every situation. Tests requiring large sample volumes, analytes with very low circulating concentrations, or markers that are unstable on filter paper may still require venous collection. Similarly, some regulatory frameworks and clinical guidelines specify venous blood as the required sample type.
For clinical trials, the choice often depends on the trial design — DBS enables decentralised sampling that can dramatically improve participant retention and geographic reach, while venous collection may be preferred when the clinical protocol requires a broader panel from a single draw.
The hybrid approach
In practice, many of Masdiag's partners use both methods strategically. DBS for routine monitoring, at-home programmes, and consumer-facing products; venous collection for initial comprehensive panels or when specific analytes demand it. The most effective diagnostic programmes are built around the question rather than the collection method.
Frequently asked questions
Is a dried blood spot test as accurate as a blood draw?
When properly validated and measured using LC-MS/MS, dried blood spot methods produce results equivalent to venous serum or plasma for most analytes. The key is laboratory-specific validation — not all DBS methods are created equal. Masdiag validates every analyte against serum reference methods to ensure accuracy and comparability.
How does a dried blood spot test work?
A finger lancet creates a small prick on the fingertip, and the blood is deposited onto a specialised filter paper card. The sample dries at room temperature, remains stable during postal transit without refrigeration, and arrives at the laboratory where the dried blood is extracted using solvent and analysed using the same analytical instruments (LC-MS/MS, GC-FID, etc.) as venous samples.
What tests can be done from a fingerprick?
Masdiag currently validates over 35 analytes from dried blood spots, including vitamins (D, A, E), fatty acids (Omega-3 Index), amino acids, homocysteine, CoQ10, NAD+, glutathione, and toxicology biomarkers. Tests requiring very large volumes, unstable analytes, or specific regulatory pathways may still require venous collection, which is why clinical context guides collection method selection.
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