Blood sciences – chemical pathology

Chemical pathology

Clinical biochemistry involves the study of body fluids (mostly serum and urine), examining them for the presence of chemicals and measuring their qualities.  These chemicals include minerals, proteins, enzymes, hormones and drugs.

Biochemical testing is used to:

• diagnose disease conditions – such as heart disease
• monitor treatment – for example in diabetes
• test for drugs – during treatment or in overdose

In addition, screening is carried out for diseases such as cystic fibrosis and cancers.

We use state of the art equipment in our biochemistry departments and employ highly trained and experienced scientists to undertake the testing.

Download the blood sciences user handbook (4MB pdf)

National Centre for Drug Adherence Testing

We have developed world-leading expertise in the measurement of prescribed medications. By measuring the quantity and types of medicine in the urine, we can determine whether a patient is adherent to their medication. Studies have found that non-adherence is a critical factor in poor hypertension control.

In response to this pressing issue, a team of doctors and scientists from UHL, together with the University of Leicester, have setup the National Centre for Adherence Testing (NCAT). Our NCAT service is currently used by over 30 NHS Trusts across the UK, and researchers from Europe and the USA.

Specimen requirement: Random urine – plain universal

Samples must be received in the laboratory within three days of collection. Samples that are unable to be sent within three days should be stored frozen on receipt. Samples can undergo one freeze-thaw cycle, prior to receipt.

Please state if this has been adhered to on the request form to prevent unnecessary sample rejections / delays.

Important information: Please state the name and dose of drugs prescribed, together with the last time the patient has taken their medication, on the request form. A new version of the request form is available to download below.

Turnaround time: 14 working days

Antihypertensive drugs detected by our screening procedure

NCAT Request Form (29kB xlsx)

Drugs of abuse screening (DOAs)

Drug misuse is defined as drug taking which is hazardous or harmful and unsanctioned by professional standards. Addiction to illicit drugs has many detrimental effects on individuals and society as a whole. Urine drug screening by the laboratory plays a vital role in these programmes by ensuring that clients are compliant with prescribed substitution therapies by monitoring illicit drug use.

Specimen requirement: Random urine – plain universal

Turnaround time: 5 working days

Drugs included in our screening method:

Drugs not listed here will not be detected by this technique. If you wish to screen for additional drugs please contact the Toxicology Laboratory on 0116 258 5772.