In laboratory analysis, the lowest concentration of a substance that can be reliably quantified is a crucial parameter. This threshold, technically defined as the lowest concentration at which both the analyte can be detected and quantified with acceptable accuracy and precision, helps ensure the reliability of test results. For example, if a test’s limit is 10 ng/mL, concentrations below this level cannot be reliably measured. Results below this threshold may be reported as “less than the limit of quantitation.”
Establishing this quantifiable lower limit is essential for data interpretation and decision-making, particularly in fields like medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and drug development. It provides a benchmark for distinguishing genuine signals from background noise and ensures the validity of quantitative measurements. Historically, analytical methods have continuously evolved to achieve lower limits, improving sensitivity and enabling the detection and quantification of increasingly smaller amounts of substances.
