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1.Clinical Chemistry: Clinical chemistry involves the analysis of blood, urine, and other body fluids to assess various biochemical parameters. Common tests include:
- Blood Glucose: Monitoring glucose levels to diagnose and manage diabetes.
- Liver Function Tests (LFTs): Assessing liver health by measuring enzymes, bilirubin, and other markers.
- Kidney Function Tests (KFTs): Measuring creatinine, urea, and electrolytes to evaluate kidney function.
- Lipid Profile: Determining cholesterol levels and other lipids to assess cardiovascular risk.
- Electrolyte Analysis: Measuring sodium, potassium, calcium, and other ions to maintain electrolyte balance.
2. Immunoassays: These tests use biochemistry principles to detect and quantify specific molecules (usually proteins or hormones) in patient samples. Examples include:
- Hormone Assays: Measuring hormones like thyroid hormones, insulin, and reproductive hormones.
- Tumor Markers: Detecting proteins associated with certain cancers, aiding in diagnosis and monitoring.
- Cardiac Biomarkers: Identifying markers of heart damage (e.g., troponin) for diagnosing heart attacks.
3. Molecular Diagnostics: Biochemistry techniques are used to detect and analyze nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) to diagnose genetic disorders, infectious diseases, and other conditions. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a key method for amplifying and detecting specific DNA sequences.
4. Enzyme Assays: Assessing enzyme activity in patient samples can help diagnose enzyme deficiencies and certain diseases.
5. Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Monitoring drug levels in a patient's blood to ensure they are within the therapeutic range and avoid toxicity.
6. Toxicology: Identifying and quantifying drugs, chemicals, or toxins in body fluids to determine if exposure has occurred.
7. Protein Electrophoresis: Separating proteins based on their charge and size to detect abnormal protein patterns, as seen in conditions like multiple myeloma.
8. Chromatography: Techniques like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) can be used to separate and quantify specific molecules in patient samples.
9. Point-of-Care Testing: Rapid tests that can be performed at the bedside or in a doctor's office often rely on biochemistry principles to provide quick results for conditions like glucose monitoring, pregnancy testing, and infectious diseases.
Accuracy and precision are paramount in medical laboratory biochemistry, as test results can have significant implications for patient care. Medical laboratory professionals, including clinical chemists and medical technologists, use advanced instruments and methods to carry out these analyses, ensuring accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Overall, biochemistry in medical laboratories contributes to disease detection, treatment optimization, and disease monitoring, helping healthcare professionals make informed decisions to improve patient outcomes.