Clinical chemistry is generallyconcerned with analysis of bodily fluids (usually serum, plasma, urine, cerebrospinal fluid). Clinical application of test results influence diagnosis and treatment of all subspecialty medical practices.
UC Health Laboratory is highly automated to accommodate the high workload typical of a hospital and referral laboratory. It also utilizes more intensive manual procedures for specialized testing. Methods are closely monitored and quality of the testing is strictly controlled.
Chemical analyses can be categorized into various types:
- General or routine chemistry – liver, renal, metabolic panels.
- Electrolytes and blood gases
- Proteins – globulins, hemoglobins, albumin, disease specific markers.
- Endocrine – hormones, their metabolites, markers of endocrine disorders.
- Toxicology – drugs of abuse and poisonous substances.
- Therapeutic Drug Monitoring – therapeutic medication levels to optimize dosage.
- Lipids and lipoproteins.
- Oncology tumor markers
Chemical laboratory data and interpretation of results aid caregivers in defining diseases and their pathogenesis at a biochemical level. The UCHealth laboratory includes a Ph.D. clinical chemist and highly trained technical staff.