Chemistry

Clinical/Contact Information:
See the Chemistry Laboratory page of the MGH Laboratory Handbook

Overview

The Clinical Chemistry Laboratory is a full-service facility serving both adult and pediatric patients 24 hours a day. The test menu includes general chemistries, blood gas analysis, therapeutic drug testing, endocrine testing, and comprehensive emergency toxicology and psychotropic drug testing services. The Chemistry Laboratory also performs blood gas, electrolyte, and specialized testing to support critical care services at MGH. These services, which include the Cardiac Surgery and Intensive Care Units, require rapid turnaround times for the management of critically ill patients. The laboratory utilizes state-of-the-art technology, including a pneumatic tube transport system, automated analytic systems, and specialized information management to provide rapid services for critical care testing on a 24-hour basis.

The Immunodiagnostics Section of the Clinical Chemistry Laboratory provides a full-service program for diagnostic testing, test interpretation, and management consultation for patients with endocrine and metabolic disorders. State-of-the-art assays for the diagnosis of endocrine disorders, including thyroid, pituitary, adrenal, and metabolic bone disease are performed. Specialized expertise in pituitary markers is available.