Decoding your thyroid: A Conversation with an Endocrinologist

As with all healthcare professions, teaching and lifelong learning is essential to the field of laboratory medicine. In this episode, Drs. Victoria Higgins and Jennifer Taher discuss their perspectives on education in laboratory medicine and CliCK, an innovative tool they created together for teaching laboratory medicine knowledge.

From energy and metabolism to weight and mood, the thyroid influences nearly every part of your health. In this episode, endocrinologist, Dr. Don Morrish, and clinical biochemist, Dr. Josh Raizman, unpack common thyroid disorders, explain what thyroid blood tests really mean, and reveal how clinical laboratories help ensure accurate results.

In this episode, Drs. Jennifer Dmetrichuk and Paul Yip gives us a rare view into the forensic realm and the importance of this branch of laboratory medicine. Using the example of trying to determine diabetes-related deaths, Jennifer and Paul discuss the value and challenges with applying biochemistry testing to unique forensic samples and specimens.

Sorry for the hiatus but we are back with a new episode on a topic that everyone can relate to! In this episode, we speak to Dr. Elliot Lass about lipids and everything related to managing lipids as a family physician whether it is using laboratory results or making decisions on lifestyle changes. Drawing from his personal experience, Elliot gives us insight into the importance of balancing risk versus benefits when taking care of patients across all ages, even for routine medical issues like lipids.

Beyond Clinical Biochemists, Medical Laboratory Technologists and Laboratory Assistants represent the frontline staff in laboratory medicine and are essential to technical operations as they collect blood, process samples, run the tests and report the results. In this special episode to celebrate National Medical Laboratory Week, Michelle Hoad speaks to us about the crisis currently faced by medical laboratories in Ontario and the huge strides she has been able to make in her advocacy work for Medical Laboratory Technologists.

In this episode, Dr. Christopher McCudden takes us through the realm of data, informatics and artificial intelligence in medicine outlining the opportunities and challenges of using large amounts of data to improve healthcare. While we tried to limit the amount of technical jargon used, this episode may be more geared towards those with some familiarity with this topic.

In this second episode of a series highlighting publications from the official journal of CSCC, Clinical Biochemistry, Dr. Junyan Shi discusses the innovative concept of “Hospital at Home” programs, how they are transforming patient care, and the critical role that laboratory testing plays in making these programs successful.

In this episode, Drs. Mark Swain and Albert Tsui breaks down the basics of liver health and disease and explains the significant benefits of a new blood-based test for liver fibrosis called FIB4.

In this first episode of a new series highlighting publications from the official journal of CSCC, Clinical Biochemistry, Drs. Paola Galozzi and Daniela Basso discuss the importance of moving towards sustainable practices within laboratory medicine and share their experiences and wisdom from initiatives they have led within the University of Padova.

In this episode, Dr. Annie Martin takes us through the Health Beyond Initiative within the Canadian Space Agency on the framework and advancements in astronautical health and how it applies to the general population.