Towards the future of Endocrine Laboratory Medicine: defining the role of laboratory medicine specialists to strengthen the clinical–biological partnership – a joint opinion paper of EFLM-C:YS, IFCC TF-YS, and ESE-EYES

Clinical endocrinology relies critically on high-quality biochemical data for diagnosis, therapeutic decisions, and long-term patient monitoring. As endocrine diagnostics grow more complex due to expanding test menus, technological advances, and changing patient populations, the need for a strong, structured partnership between clinicians and Laboratory Medicine professionals has never been greater. This joint opinion paper, developed by young professionals from the EFLM Committee Young Scientists (EFLM-C:YS), the IFCC Task Force Young Scientists (IFCC TF-YS), and the European Young Endocrinologists and Scientists (ESE-EYES), explores clinicians' expectations of modern Endocrine Laboratory Medicine (ELM) and proposes actionable strategies to meet them. Using a clinician-laboratory question-and-answer framework, we address five key domains: procedural harmonization, analytical reliability, interpretability and contextualization of results, consultative partnership, and innovation in service delivery. We highlight the central role of laboratory medicine professionals throughout the total testing process, from test selection to post-analytical interpretation of laboratory results. Particular emphasis is placed on the harmonization of endocrine dynamic function tests, adoption of high-specificity analytical platforms such as liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, development of personalized reference intervals, and implementation of diagnostic management teams. Emerging challenges, including transgender care, endocrine disruptors, digital health technologies, and artificial intelligence, are discussed as opportunities for laboratories to assume leadership in precision and preventive endocrinology. We conclude that the future of endocrine diagnostics depends on transforming laboratory data from a technical endpoint into a strategic clinical partner, ensuring diagnostic excellence through continuous dialogue, shared accountability, and innovation.