Clinical Chemistry Book Provides Quick Reference for Common Lab Analytes

Elizabeth McMahon
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Coming up, they're the leaders, innovators, and problem solvers shaping pathology's future. We take a look at Pathologist Magazine's 2026 Power List. Plus, a new book gives you a quick reference to the most common chemistry analytes in the lab. Welcome to CAP News for Thursday, October 8th. I'm Elizabeth McMahon of the College of American Pathologists. Here's what's making news in pathology and laboratory medicine. Pathologist Magazine has released its annual POW list, spotlighting 50 leading voices shaping the field. The list, chosen by a blind panel of peers, includes several CAP members. Dr. Rajendra Singh of the University of Pennsylvania is one of them. A leading voice on the CAP's Digital and Computational Pathology Committee, Dr. Singh says AI tools should be invisible, giving pathologists more time for case judgment. But he notes that most tools aren't built that way. Quote, innovation is often blocked by process, not science. The power list includes pathology residents and physicians from five continents who share lessons they've learned and their ideas for the future. There's a new reference book on the shelves at the CAP bookstore, and it fits in your lab coat. Essentials in Clinical Chemistry is a quick reference guide to the 29 clinical chemistry analytes most commonly tested in the laboratory.

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Dr.

Elizabeth McMahon
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Zara Shajani- Yi, a clinical chemist at the University of San Diego, says she and her co-authors wrote the book with formatting that emphasizes the most useful information for busy labs.

Dr. Zahra Shajani-Yi
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There was a lot of thought put into like every for every analyte entry into what matters most. So there's reference, general reference intervals or medical decision cutoffs, the physiological or clinical significance, and you know, I think what's really interesting, the causes of abnormal results.

Elizabeth McMahon
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Co-author Dr. Dorothy Adcock said including information and examples of variables that can cause abnormal results was critical since some clinicians aren't familiar with these chemical interferences. One example is a blood sample.

Dr. Dorothy Adcock
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If that sample isn't processed within a certain period of time, let's say even within 20 minutes, and what I mean by processed is spun down so that the red cells are separated from the serum. If that doesn't happen, then the red cells continue to consume glucose. And so the glucose levels fall in a clinically significant manner. And that's such a critical analyte, especially with all of the testing that is done for diabetes and pre-diabetes.

Elizabeth McMahon
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Essentials in Clinical Chemistry is the first installment of a planned series. It's also available in ebook format. Molecular and biomarker testing can connect cancer patients to precision treatments and immunotherapies. But when the test results come in, what do they mean and how do they dictate the right targeted treatment? In an article for the Patient Power website, Dr. Gulisa Turashvili, vice chair of the CAP Cancer Committee, explores these questions using endometrial cancer as an example.

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Dr.

Elizabeth McMahon
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Tura shvili walks through the common proteins involved in biomarker testing and the cancer subtypes that testing can reveal. In endometrial cancer, the MMR deficient subtype is the one doctors have known about the longest and the primary subtype tested in biopsies.

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Dr.

Elizabeth McMahon
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Turashvili says MMR deficient results provide important information about whether immunotherapy is an option for treatment. Her guidance includes practical tips for patients reading a pathology report, including key terms to look for to discuss with their doctor. Do you know how to handle an ethical dilemma when it arises in the lab? Are there gray areas in your practice that nag at your conscience? From patient privacy to lab errors and AI, ethical questions and challenges are not uncommon in a pathologist's work. Explore these and other real-world scenarios at a CAP webinar from 1 to 2 p.m. Central on November 12th, hosted by leaders of the CAP's Ethics and Professionalism Committee. Bring examples from your work for conversation and perspective from your peers. The session will include practical takeaways to apply in practice. That's all for today. Be sure to check the show notes for more information on today's stories. Got a story you'd like to hear on the podcast? Write to us at stories at CAP.org. We're back at 5 a.m. Eastern for another episode of CAP News. I'm Elizabeth McMahon. Have a great day.