Clinical Chemistry: Principles, Techniques, Correlations: Principles, Techniques, Correlations

So far seems like a decent book but I entered the code to the Point and there is nothing available except for a preview. I emailed help and am hoping for a response. If things improve I'll try to revise my review. I was hoping to see an e-book online or maybe even the answers to some of the book questions. So far just a book preview.

The reviewer is a clinical chemist active as a generalist for close to 40 years in a large medical laboratory who has taught clinical chemistry and/or selected topics for multiple decades.

Strengths: Bishop is updated on a regular basis and provides a helpful text that is fairly inclusive and not overly esoteric. For routine testing, it provides a current overview. Of note, the addition of material on LC-MS was a nice update in both the 7th and 8th editions.

Areas needing improvement from my perspective:
1) Pregnancy and fetal testing: The absence of a chapter on reproductive physiology and relevant testing is a shortcoming. Instructors might find two alternative textbooks more helpful on this topic: 1) Arneson and Brickell (now dated) and 2) the more recent textbook by Larson which have dedicated chapters for pregnancy-related tests. In this text, some information on this topic is buried in a chapter for body fluid analysis relating to amniotic fluid. However a test that is done universally in every laboratory regardless of size --HCG for pregnancy testing-- receives scant mention except for its role as a tumor marker. Nothing on temporal changes during pregnancy (sharp rise curve in first trimester) and second trimester fall curve--of relevance in quad screens, nothing on its structural homology with anterior pituitary hormones, nothing on use in injections to mimic LH for fertility treatment, nothing on discordances across assays due to fragments and structural alterations. A positive is finally the inclusion in this edition of a what is described as a “newer test”, fetal fibronectin, (implemented in my former lab in 1999) for assessing premature delivery although it is buried in the pediatric chapter. Other additions that would be helpful would be information on 1st and 2nd trimester screening and the availability of non-invasive prenatal testing employing cell-free DNA.

2) The chapter on gonadal function is disappointing as it appears to be written by endocrinologists for the benefit of other endocrinologists. It is certainly not directed to students learning laboratory medicine. Space is wasted on irrelevant material (now across two editions) such as testosterone replacement therapy and estrogen supplementation- techs apparently need to know the options for administering testosterone- wow! A simple diagram on hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle would have been helpful. Additionally, there’s no discussion on testosterone (T) assays and the approaches, pitfalls, limitations, for free, total, and bioavailable T. The latter is not even defined. Discussion of analytical approaches to measuring free T: separation by dialysis; precipitation of SHBG fraction, or calculation using quantitation of Total T, SHBG, and albumin would be helpful. The rest of endocrine chapters are reasonably well done although analytical aspects receive little attention. A discussion of serum thyroglobulin for monitoring thyroid cancer finally appears in this edition. An algorithmic diagram for thyroid testing would be helpful using the “TSH first” strategy.

3) Proteins: Information on serum free light chains and their quantitation is lacking - many labs were routinely using this test in the early 2000's - well before the the 7th edition-- as an adjunct to serum protein monitoring. Quantitation is now standard lab practice in the workup and monitoring of multiple myeloma.

4) Cardiac Markers: In both the 7th and 8th edition, obsolete markers such as ischemia-modified albumin and fatty-acid binding protein continue to be mentioned. However reagents for the former test --although FDA-approved-- haven’t been available in the States for more than a decade and never generated any interest even when available. High-sensitivity troponin on the other hand has been a hot topic at national meetings for the past five years but receives no mention and is not even defined. No mention is made regarding sensitivity improvements with successive Tn generations, lack of harmonization of TnI assays or the contributory role of binary and ternary troponin complexes.

5) Minor shortcomings: Lipids, p. 340 question 12 has a question on Frederickson phenotypes, a carryover from previous editions, which are not even discussed (thankfully) in this edition. Page 344 references Chapter 5 for the discussion of indirect ISE measurements but no such discussion exists. Freezing point osmometry is mentioned but no mention of vapor pressure instruments is made and their differences with respect to detecting volatiles. Tumor markers: Total and free PSA are mentioned with no discussion of newer ancillary tests for prostate cancer.

Summary comments: Bishop continues to be a useful textbook but is becoming quite bloated. Tighter editing and review would be helpful to eliminate irrelevant material. I find the chapters on geriatric and pediatric clinical chemistry less than helpful (except for the newborn screening portion); most of this material could be integrated into other chapters. Instructors using this text will need to provide supplemental material for the areas mentioned above and summaries with detailed objectives to provide a clear focus for students. /R. Haas, PhD, DABCC

If your in a medical lab science program this book is very helpful to understand clinical chemistry !

The book itself is ok, but as a standalone book it isn't a very useful study tool. There isn't even a glossary, let alone answers to the end of chapter quizzes. If you want access to any of that information you must access their online content, which requires purchasing a new copy of the book. I did purchase a new copy of the book, registered online, and it still says I have no titles in my collection. After contacting customer service about this, they directed me to a new company that supposedly purchased a bunch of their titles, including this one. Long story short, even purchasing new I still don't have online access to this title and it's a pain to study.

This book doesn’t have cause study answers, question answers, or even a glossary. Other than that, it’s fine

Hello publisher,

Please correct the mistakes in your answer key in your end of chapter questions.

Thank you

The package arrived in decent quality. I except more for a brand new book, which is why I'm leaving four starts. Notice the minor wear on the corners pictured. As far as the content of the textbook goes, so far I am really enjoying it and it seems to explain things rather simply, which I can appreciate.

I always wanted my books to be hardbound as I don't like any creases. This is a good book to read especially when you're starting off with chemistry.

Good brand new text book. Exactly what I needed for my class.

I am keep finding hairs everytime I flip a page. So gross