Nutrition in the clinical laboratory

Nutrition is a developing facet of patient care that can be enhanced by appropriate laboratory support. The importance of the laboratory is underscored by the growing interest and appreciation for marginal malnutrition that can only be diagnosed by biochemical means. Clinical laboratories have the opportunity to provide leadership in advancing nutrition to the forefront of medical care. The overall quality and cost-effectiveness of medical care can be improved through the development of reliable tests to detect malnutrition, abandonment of tests of little value, emphasizing those tests of merit, and persuading clinicians of the benefits of measuring nutritional analytes. Nutrition test panels are an effective way of assuring appropriate and comprehensive laboratory support of nutritional care.