David Miller, University of Glasgow

FBC’s, U&E’s, LFT’s, TFT’s, CK, GTT, CRP, ESR, HbA1C……Routine tests, perhaps, but are you confident enough to know when to order them, how the are performed, the physiology behind them, how to interpret them, how to treat the disorders they reflect? Clinical chemistry is bread and butter on the wards for all clinical staff and students but sometimes we all have to pause and think through the raised bicarbonate, raised carbon dioxide and low pH in the acidotic COPD patient before us. Clinical Chemistry Made Easy is a handy pocket sized guide to help direct your decision as to what to tests to order and then how to apply the results to implementing the best therapy. It is well laid out in a step by step format with plenty of diagrams and illustrations. So next time the consultant quizzes you on a teenagers gamma-glutamyl transferase, aminotransferases, bilirubin and prothrombin time acute rocketing following a drinking session - you can confidently advise enquires into paracetamol overdose are merited.

Posted 1st Jul 2008