A refresher in biochem presented by Dr Suzie Ferrie, PhD, FDA
Suzie gives a highly practical refresher on interpreting biochemistry results with a strong focus on clinical reasoning rather than rote reference ranges.
Using clinical scenarios, Suzie explains how hydration, inflammation, acute phase response, feeding status, and sampling error can significantly alter results such as albumin, urea, electrolytes, calcium, and liver enzymes. She also addresses misconceptions. For example, the inappropriate use of albumin as a marker of malnutrition.
This presentation helps strengthen our confidence in interpreting pathology results and reinforces that biochemistry is one piece of the nutritional assessment puzzle—not a standalone answer.
Learn about:
- Biochemistry results being snapshots, not diagnoses — always interpret them within clinical context.
- Albumin reflects inflammation and nutritional risk, not nutritional status.
- How understanding physiology (inputs, outputs, distribution) is more important than memorising reference ranges.
Dr Suzie Ferrie is a senior clinician-researcher and Critical Care Dietitian in the ICU at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, a role she has held since 2001. She is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Sydney, a Fellow of Dietitians Australia, and Chair of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital’s Human Research Ethics Committee.
Dr Ferrie has authored over 50 peer-reviewed journal publications, along with book chapters and consumer nutrition articles. Her research focuses on gut function in critical illness and improving methods for nutritional assessment and monitoring in the ICU, with a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration and translation to clinical practice.
To register for the presentation and associated documents including the assessment quiz click here