Chemical Pathology
Several pathologists, biochemists and senior medical laboratory technologists have dedicated their time to carry out various laboratory tests prior to the appointment of the first chemical pathologist in 2003. The biochemistry section of the laboratory was renamed as the department of chemical pathology.
The manual laboratory was converted to an automated laboratory with the introduction of the first ever fully automated biochemistry analyser in 2004.
The metabolic laboratory which was established by refurbishing the old biochemistry section in the oldest building of the hospital in 2016 provides a national service for the detection and monitoring of patients with inborn errors of metabolism. Prior to purchasing advanced instruments and establishment of metabolic lab, qualitative tests such as thin layer chromatography for amino acids and sugars were conducted by the dedicated senior medical laboratory technologist, Mrs Padmini Meeriyagalle.
We use internationally recognized clinical testing platforms and participate in regular quality control programs to maintain the standards of service.
For other investigations related to diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism, we liaise with accredited international laboratories for further tests.
The staff is comprised of a chemical pathologist, two medical doctors, and post graduate trainees, seven medical laboratory technologists including the chief medical laboratory technologist, 3 orderlies and 3 minor staff members.
Dr. Iresha Jasinghe
Consultant Chemical Pathologist
The department of chemical pathology has two sections, the main laboratory or general biochemistry and metabolic laboratory.
The general biochemistry section provides 24-hour general chemistry in blood, urine and other fluids. It coordinates hormonal and tumor marker analysis for the admitted and clinic patients by sending samples to nearby hospitals that have the facility. Our services are extended to the pediatric population referred through government hospitals throughout the country.
The laboratory offers investigations into amino acids in plasma, and urine organic acids to detect amino acidopathies and organic acidaemias using high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry respectively. (PDF versions of request forms are available on-line)
It also offers sweat analysis for the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.
In addition the laboratory provides the service of stone analysis by infra-red spectroscopy technique.
The list of Tests
Blood Samples
- Glucose
- Urea
- Creatinine
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Alanine transaminase
- Aspartate transaminase
- Alkaline Phosphatase
- Gamma glutamyl transferase
- Total protein
- Albumin
- Total bilirubin
- Direct bilirubin
- Total cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Total calcium
- Magnesium
- Total creatine kinase
- Lactate dehydrogenase
- Osmolality
- Uric acid
- Ammonia
- Phosphate
- C-reactive protein
- Lactate
- Amino acid
Urine Samples
- Sodium
- Potassium
- osmolality
- pH (semi quantitative)
- Protein
- Calcium
- Phosphate
- Uric acid
- Magnesium
- 24-hour calcium, phosphate, uric acid, magnesium, protein
- 24-hour creatinine clearance
- Ketone bodies (semi quantitative)
- Urobilinogen (semi quantitative)
- Porphobilinogen (semi quantitative)
- Porphyrins (semi quantitative)
- Reducing substances (qualitative)
- Glucose (semi quantitative)
- Organic acid
CSF Samples
- Protein
- Glucose
- Chloride
- Deposits- cells
Body Fluid Samples
- Protein
- Glucose
Sweat Samples
- Chloride
Renal Stone Analysis (arranged in other hospitals)
- TSH
- Free T4
- Free T3
- LH
- FSH
- Prolactin
- Cortisol
- Growth Hormone
- Progesterone
- Estradiol
- Testosterone
- Insulin
- C-peptide
- PTH
- hCG
- PSA
- AFP
- CEA
- Thyroglobulin
- Lipid profile
- ACTH
The chemical pathology department supports the clinical services, education of medical laboratory technologists, medical students and postgraduate trainees and engages in research and continuous development efforts to improve the quality of laboratory support in patient care.