We offer advanced tests in many specialty areas. Our specialized pathology and molecular testing services help us diagnose, stage and plan treatment for cancer. Our renal pathology team provides kidney biopsies for transplants and a wide range of other kidney diseases. This depth and breadth of expertise is unmatched in the region.

All of our laboratories are accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). CAP accreditation illustrates our commitment to the highest quality control and safety standards.

We are among the top National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded academic pathology programs in the U.S. This distinction means we have the resources to perform groundbreaking research and share our findings with the next generation of lab scientists.

A basic metabolic panel tests substances in your blood, including glucose (a type of sugar), electrolytes and certain metabolites that can help assess kidney problems or dehydration.

A cholesterol test, or lipid profile, measures cholesterol and fat levels in your blood. Too much cholesterol in your blood means you may be at risk for heart disease, heart attack or stroke.

A complete blood count (CBC) measures different components of your blood, including white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. A CBC is a very common test and often the first indicator of infections or diseases such as anemia and other blood disorders.

This test checks your blood and urine for waste products that your kidneys should be removing from your body through urine. Abnormal results could indicate kidney disease.

Pap and human papillomavirus (HPV) tests are part of cervical cancer screening for women. Your provider takes a swab of cells from your cervix and a pathologist examines the sample for signs of disease. HPV testing is now moving towards being the primary method for screening for cervical cancer.

A thyroid test evaluates how well your thyroid, a gland in your neck that produces hormones, is functioning. The test can diagnose thyroid disorders such as hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

This test is an evaluation of your urine. We may do a urinalysis to diagnose or monitor urinary tract infections, diabetes, kidney problems and liver diseases.

Apheresis is the process of removing blood components, such as platelets or white blood cells, and replacing them with healthy cells from a donor. We may use apheresis to treat leukemia, bleeding disorders and other conditions. At UC Davis Health, we are an official apheresis collection center for the Be the Match National Marrow Donor Program and one of only a few full-service apheresis units serving Northern California.

Our dermatopathology team evaluates an extensive range of skin conditions, including autoimmune skin diseases, uncommon oral mucosal diseases and skin cancers. In fact, our researchers led a study using a new technology to identify biomarkers (signs of disease) in early stage melanoma. Our work means we can diagnose skin diseases sooner, when treatment is more effective.

Molecular pathologists study blood and tissue samples at the cellular level, looking for genetic mutations (abnormal gene changes). Molecular pathology is especially important in identifying certain cancers and inherited diseases, such as sickle cell disease. Identifying genetic mutations helps us make an accurate diagnosis, plan effective treatment and predict a prognosis.

UC Davis Health offers a full-service renal pathology diagnostic service. Renal pathologists focus on studying and diagnosing kidney diseases. We evaluate native and transplant kidney biopsies, providing an essential service for our nationally recognized kidney transplant program. UC Davis Health is consistently recognized as one of the highest-volume kidney transplant programs in the U.S., with patient outcomes and survival rates exceeding the national average.

Transfusion medicine is a medical specialty that focuses on collecting and testing blood from donors to give to people in critical need of blood. Our transfusion services are accredited by the Association of American Blood Banks. We support UC Davis Health’s level 1 trauma center (UC Davis Medical Center), the only one of its kind in inland Northern California, for both adult and pediatric emergencies.