Test Type Information

Molecular Diagnostics

Advances in the Human Genome Project are having a major impact on the diagnostic capabilities of clinical laboratories. NorDx offers a broad selection of tests:

Special Chemistry

The Automated Chemistry and the Special Chemistry Departments provide 24-hour, 7 days a week coverage with much of testing available on a 24-hour basis. The team is comprised of professionally trained and certified personnel. NorDx provides two comprehensive automated blood chemistry test menus for measurement of serum and plasma specimens. The use of serum indices provides automated detection of adverse specimen conditions such as lipemia and hemolysis.

Special Chemistry offers a wide range of testing, including:
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Drugs of Abuse Testing
Cardiac Marker Monitoring
Tumor Marker Monitoring
Fetal Lung Maturity Assessment
Volatiles Analysis
Pentobarbital Monitoring
Breath Hydrogen Analysis

Coagulation

The Coagulation Laboratory provides a comprehensive menu of services to assist the clinician in diagnosing and managing disorders of hemostasis and thrombosis. The laboratory uses state-of-the-art technology in diagnostic evaluations, including molecular techniques. The Medical Director and staff technologists have years of experience and expertise in coagulation. Our strengths include:
Providing rapid and complete evaluation of patients with bleeding disorders

Assessing patients with thrombophilia
Monitoring various forms of anticoagulation, including traditional oral anticoagulation and heparin, as well as the newer antithrombotic agents
Monitoring oral anticoagulation and heparin in patients with Lupus anticoagulants

Clinical consultation to assist clinicians in determining the most cost-effective utilization of our laboratory services and to provide the most meaningful clinical information
Supporting other laboratories in meeting regulatory requirements and improving their performance. This may include establishing reference ranges, therapeutic ranges, reagent factor sensitivities, trouble-shooting, and proficiency testing
Veterinary Coagulopathies

Cytopathology

Routine cytologic examination of Pap smears collected by conventional or ThinPrep® methods. Routine, negative specimens are reported using the Bethesda Reporting System.
Examinations of non-gynecological body fluids are performed using monolayer technology

Endocrinology

The Endocrinology Laboratory performs endocrine tests using automated immunoassay measurement systems that provide high analytic sensitivity and faster turnaround times. The Endocrinology Laboratory also features clinical correlation of test performance with the Maine Center for Endocrine/Diabetes Clinic. This includes:

Comprehensive of thyroid hormone assays
Endocrine function testing
Fertility testing
Microalbuminuria and Hemoglobin A1C testing

Tissue Pathology

Routine histologic examination of hematoxylin-and-eosin stained sections are performed. Histochemical and Immunohistochemical stains are performed as indicated. Reports include gross description, final diagnosis, and comments on the differential diagnosis. Consultative services are provided by the large consulting staff, who have expertise in general pathology, as well as a wide range of subspecialty areas. Routine specimens are reported within two days of receipt, while more complex specimens requiring additional testing are reported within three days.

Flow Cytometry

The Flow Cytometry Laboratory performs assays for clinical diagnostic testing. The major clinical applications are:
DNA ploidy analysis of solid tumor
T- and B-cell quantitation
Leukemia immunophenotyping by flow cytometry
Lymphoma immunophenotyping by flow cytometry
Plasma cell disorders
Platelet cell antibody testing

Hematology

The Department of Hematology offers a variety of comprehensive laboratory and pathology tests for disorders of the peripheral blood and bone marrow. Accurate diagnosis and precise subtyping of hematologic neoplasms are essential for proper patient management. We also offer diagnosis of hereditary disorders that principally affect erythrocytes. Our goal is to provide the referring physician with an accurate hematologic evaluation in an efficient and cost-effective manner. The following services are available:

Morphological consultation - Hematopathology consultation
Essential for accurate interpretation of any hematologic study to include examination of:
Peripheral blood smears
Bone marrow aspirate smears, and/or bone marrow biopsy sections/blocks
Enzyme cytochemical stains
Miscellaneous stains and procedures such as:
Kleihauer-Betke
NBT dye
Giemsa stain
Hereditary disorders of the erythrocytes
Hemoglobin electrophoresis
G6PD
Osmotic fragility testing to include both routine and incubated studies
Veterinary Hematology

Immunoassay

The Immunoassay Laboratory offers a specialized menu of electrophoresis techniques for the evaluation of serum, urine, CSF proteins, LD isoenzymes, and lipids. In addition, this section performs:
Serum protein quantitation
Rheumatoid factor
Autoimmune antibody testing
Complete serologic testing menu for hepatitis and HIV
Immune status determination for childhood diseases
RPR and CSF VDRL testing for syphilis
Custom electrophoresis reports, pathologist reviewed

Microbiology

The highly trained and experienced staff in our Department of Microbiology use a broad spectrum of manual and automated methods to provide comprehensive service in all areas of infectious disease diagnosis and treatment.
Routine Bacteriology
Anaerobic Bacteriology
Mycology
Mycobacteriology
Virology
Sexually Transmitted Diseases