What is the difference between the limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantitation (LOQ)?

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LOD is the lowest concentration of an analyte that can be reliably detected, while LOQ is the lowest concentration that can be quantified accurately.

LOD is the lowest concentration of an analyte that can be reliably detected, but not necessarily quantified.
LOQ is the lowest concentration of an analyte that can be quantified accurately with a defined degree of precision and accuracy.
LOQ is typically higher than LOD, as it requires a higher level of confidence in the measurement.
LOD is often determined by the signal-to-noise ratio, while LOQ takes into account factors like linearity and accuracy of measurement.
For example, if the LOD for a specific drug is 0.1 ng/mL, it means that the drug can be reliably detected at concentrations equal to or above 0.1 ng/mL. However, the LOQ for the same drug may be 1 ng/mL, indicating that concentrations below 1 ng/mL cannot be accurately quantified.