Clinical Chemistry considers what happens to the body's chemistry when affected by disease. It provides introductory coverage of the scientific basis for biochemistry tests routinely used in medicine - including tests for the assessment of organ function, diagnosis and monitoring disease activity and therapy efficacy. Each topic area begins with a concise description of the underlying physiological and biochemical principles and then applies them to patient investigation and management. The regular use of case histories helps further emphasise clinical relevance and chapter key points, as well as provide a useful starting point for examination revision.

The clear and engaging writing style appreciated by generations of readers has been retained in this ninth edition, while the content has been thoroughly updated throughout. The approach and scope of this trusted text makes it ideal for integrated medical curricula, for medical training and for students and practitioners of clinical and biomedical science. The complementary eBook version, including additional cases and self-assessment material, completes this superb learning package.

Key Features

Table of Contents

1. An Introduction to Biochemistry and Cell Biology

2. Biochemical Investigations in Clinical Medicine

3. Water, Sodium and Potassium

4. Hydrogen Ion Homoeostasis and Blood Gases

5. The Kidneys

6. The Liver

7. The Gastrointestinal Tract

8. Clinical Nutrition

9. The Hypothalamus and the Pituitary Gland

10. The Adrenal Glands

11. The Thyroid Gland

12. The Gonads

13. Disorders of Carbohydrate Metabolism

14. Calcium, Phosphate and Magnesium

15. Bones and Joints

16. Plasma Proteins and Enzymes

17 Lipids, Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular Disease

18. Muscles, Nerves and Psychiatric Disorders

19. Inherited Metabolic Diseases

20. Disorders of Haemoproteins, Porphyrins and Iron

21. Metabolic Aspects of Malignant Disease

22. Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Chemical Aspects of Toxicology

23. Clinical Chemistry at the Extremes of Age

Author Information            

By William J. Marshall, MA, PhD, MSc, MBBS, FRCP, FRCPath, FRCPEdin, FRSB, FRSC, Emeritus Reader in Clinical Biochemistry, Kings College London, London, UK; formerly Consultant Clinical Biochemist and Clinical Director of Pathology, The London Clinic, London, UK.; Márta Lapsley, MB BCh BAO, MD, FRCPath , Consultant Chemical Pathologist, Epsom and St. Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, Epsom, Surrey, UK ; Andrew Day, MA MSc MBBS FRCPath , Consultant in Clinical Biochemistry and Metabolic Medicine, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK and Kate Shipman