- Serum is the most commonly seen specimen used in the clinical chemistry lab.
- It is obtained via centrifugation of coagulated blood
- Can be tested for its electrolytes, antibodies, hormones, drugs, antigens, microbes, proteins, and other substances

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Clinical chemistry tests are performed on specimens such as:
- Serum
- Plasma
- Urine
- Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Specimens Tested in a Clinical Chemistry Lab

Serum is the straw-colored liquid component of blood plasma that remains after the clotting factors have been removed.

Serum

Cheriyedath, Susha. “Clinical Chemistry Tests.” News Medical-Life Sciences, 23 Aug. 2019, https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/Clinical-Chemistry-Tests.aspx.

Clinical Chemistry Tests Info from News Medical

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- Plasma is obtained via centrifugation of non-coagulated blood
- Can be tested for its blood cells, clotting factors, electrolytes (i.e. sodium, magnesium, calcium, chloride), hormones, and proteins (i.e. albumins, fibrinogen, globulins)

Uses for Plasma as a Specimen in the Clinical Chemistry Lab

- For clinical testing, urine from a 24-hour period is usually needed
- The container in which the urine is stored in usually contains a preservative to aid in the reaction needed for diagnostics

Uses for Urine as a Specimen in the Clinical Chemistry Lab

- CSF is a clear fluid that can be found in the brain/spine
- Similar to blood plasma, except it does not contain any proteins
- Typically analyzed in the CC lab for meningitis

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