Clinical Laboratories

Clinical Biochemistry Unit

Many routine and specific tests in the protein, carbohydrate, enzyme and electrolyte groups are performed on blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid and other body fluids using dedicated kits and autoanalyzers.

• Diabetes tests: blood sugar (glucose), glucose tolerance test, Hemoglobin A1c, insulin, HOMA-IR, urine microalbumin, urine protein

• Liver, pancreas and biliary tract tests: AST, ALT, GGT, ALP, LDH, amylase, lipase

• Kidney tests: urea (BUN), creatinine, complete urinalysis,

• Cardiac (heart) tests: CK, CK-MB, Troponin T, AST, LDH

• Bone marker tests: ALP, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D

• Blood fats (lipids): cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol

• Anemia tests: complete blood count, iron, iron-binding capacity, transferrin saturation, ferritin, vitamin B12, folic acid

• Electrolytes: sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus

Hormones, Tumor Markers and Drug Levels Unit

In this unit, thyroid, pancreatic, parathyroid, adrenal and fertility hormones, drug levels and vitamins are analyzed daily using fully automated systems (such as TSH, Anti-Tg, Anti-TPO, insulin, PTH, 25-hydroxy vitamin D3, cortisol, prolactin, FSH, LH, E2, B-HCG, digoxin, B12 and folic acid). This unit also measures tumor markers related to the gastrointestinal system (liver, pancreas, stomach, colon), lungs, prostate, breast and ovaries, such as CEA, AFP, CA 15-3, CA 125, CA 19-9, F-PSA and TPSA.

Serology Unit

Using fully automated devices, this unit performs tests for the analysis of proteins in body fluids (ASO, CRP, RF, immunoglobulins, complement, etc.), hepatitis (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, etc.) and AIDS (HIV) tests, tests identifying infections in pregnancy (TORCH group), tests for Brucella and typhoid, autoantibodies for the diagnosis of rheumatological diseases (ANA, ENA, Anti-dsDNA, ANCA, Anti-CCP, etc.) and all other serological tests.

Hematology Unit

Complete blood counts are performed with fully automated 22-parameter blood count systems, and peripheral blood smears are evaluated by a hematology specialist. Coagulation tests such as PT, aPTT and D-dimer are also performed in this unit using an automated coagulation analyzer. Likewise, the sedimentation test is performed and reported on automated systems.

Microbiology and Parasitology Unit

Direct and stained examinations of infectious bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, antigen tests, bacterial and fungal cultures and species-level identification are performed. The antibiotic susceptibility of microorganisms grown from all types of patient samples (throat, urine, blood, urogenital samples, CSF, sputum, wounds, etc.) is determined, and culture and antibiogram results are provided within 24-48 hours. Blood cultures are monitored with an automated growth-detection system (BacT/ALERT 3D Microbial Detection Systems), allowing rapid results. In addition, pathogens such as Ureaplasma/Mycoplasma that are tested from urogenital materials and cannot be grown in routine cultures are cultured on special media, and their antibiotic susceptibility can be determined.

In the microorganism identification process, automated kits and computer software are used alongside conventional methods. Bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing are performed using both the classic Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and an automated system, and results are reported together with MIC values according to the criteria of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Rapid antigen tests allow the detection of certain bacteria (Strep A, pneumococcal antigen, Legionella antigen, Chlamydia, Clostridium difficile toxin A, H. pylori, etc.), certain viral antigens (rotavirus, adenovirus, norovirus, RSV, influenza A-B, etc.) and parasitic agents (amoeba-Giardia antigen). Stool parasite examination is performed using the formalin-ethyl acetate concentration method. In addition, PCR testing for certain specific microorganisms (HPV and genotyping, HSV 1-2, syphilis, etc.) is carried out in cooperation with contracted laboratories. AFB staining specific to the tuberculosis bacterium and tuberculosis culture on Lowenstein-Jensen medium are also performed on all types of samples. Our microbiology unit also performs the spermiogram (semen analysis) test, with morphology and motility assessed according to WHO (World Health Organization) criteria. When requested, morphological evaluation according to Kruger strict criteria using a special sperm stain can be performed, as well as sperm washing and preparation with swim-up techniques for insemination.