Clinical Chemistry of Disease I

At the end of this course, students should be able to: 1. interpret clinical chemistry results; 2. illustrate use of conversion factors for different units and reference intervals; 3. describe the application of conversion factors for different units and reference intervals; 4. explain sample collection, random samples, timed collection; and 5. discuss use of special investigations requests, specimen/sample containers, difference between plasma, serum and whole blood, handling of CSF samples.

Blood glucose homeostasis. Glucose tolerance tests, performance and interpretation, diabetes mellitus. Formation of free fatty acid, ketone bodies and lactate. Plasma lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and non-esterified fatty acids. Plasma lipoproteins and causes of hyper and hypolipoproteinaemia. Concept of risk factors for diseases and significance in prevention. Plasma proteins, reference values, separation of fractions and variations in health and disease. Paraproteinaemias. Bence-Jones proteinuria and significance. Renal function, dysfunction and investigations. Definitions, causes and consequences of azotaemia, uraemia, creatinine clearance. Liver function, dysfunction and investigations. Biochemical assessment of hepatic function, jaundice, hepatocellular, haemolytic and obstructive.