Laboratory

Laboratory Departments

Biochemistry: Precise measurement of glucose, lipids, enzymes, and electrolytes to monitor the function of vital organs such as the liver, kidneys, and heart using fully automated analyzers.
Hematology: Comprehensive analysis of blood cells for the diagnosis of anemia, hematologic disorders, and malignancies using advanced cell-counting technologies.
Coagulation: Assessment of blood clotting factors to evaluate bleeding and thrombosis risks; essential for cardiac patients and preoperative evaluations.
Microbiology: Culture and accurate identification of pathogenic bacteria and fungi, along with antimicrobial susceptibility testing to support targeted infection treatment.
Blood Bank: Accurate blood typing and preparation of safe, compatible blood products for transfusion in emergency situations, surgical procedures, and specialized patient care.
Serology: Detection of antibodies and antigens for the diagnosis of rheumatologic, autoimmune, and infectious diseases based on immune system responses.
Urinalysis: Microscopic and chemical examination of urine for the early detection of infections, kidney stones, diabetes, and urinary tract abnormalities.
Blood Gas Analysis: Rapid assessment of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and arterial blood pH levels for accurate evaluation of respiratory function and acid-base balance.
Pathology: Microscopic examination of tissue and cellular specimens by expert pathologists for the definitive diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions.
Genetics: Advanced analysis of DNA and chromosomes for the diagnosis of congenital diseases, hereditary disorders, and prenatal health assessment.
Sample Collection: Specimen collection performed in a calm and fully sterile environment with minimal discomfort by experienced staff, including specialized care for neonates, children, and adults.
Infectious Diseases: Rapid and sensitive detection of viral and infectious agents (such as hepatitis, HIV, and others) using modern molecular diagnostic techniques.

In addition to routine laboratory testing, our laboratory offers a range of specialized cardiovascular tests for comprehensive assessment of heart and vascular health. A key advantage of these tests is their rapid turnaround time in emergency situations, enabling early detection of acute cardiac events and timely intervention to reduce serious complications.

• Lipid Profile Testing

  Measuring blood lipid levels is one of the most important components of a preventive health assessment. This test provides valuable insight into an individual's risk of cardiovascular disease.
  
  The following four key parameters are evaluated:
  
  1. Total Cholesterol
  2. LDL Cholesterol (Low-Density Lipoprotein)
  3. HDL Cholesterol (High-Density Lipoprotein)
  4. Triglycerides
  
  💡 Preparation: Fasting is required for this test. Please avoid food and beverages for 8–12 hours prior to sample collection. Water consumption is permitted.

• Cardiac Enzymes (Markers of Myocardial Injury)

  Cardiac biomarkers are among the most critical laboratory tools for the early and definitive diagnosis of heart muscle injury. Following a heart attack or myocardial damage, these proteins are released into the bloodstream, providing valuable information about the patient's condition.
  
  Three major cardiac biomarkers are routinely assessed:
  
  1. Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB) | A Reliable Time-Sensitive Marker
  CK-MB is one of the most useful biomarkers for confirming myocardial infarction.
  ⏱️ Time to Elevation: Approximately 6 hours after symptom onset.
  📈 Peak Level: Typically reaches its highest concentration around 18 hours after the event.
  
  2. Troponins (Troponin I & Troponin T) | The Most Sensitive Indicators
  Troponins are highly sensitive and specific markers of cardiac muscle injury.
  ⏱️ Time to Elevation: Detectable approximately 4 hours after a cardiac event.
  📅 Duration: Troponin levels may remain elevated for up to two weeks, making them especially valuable for delayed diagnosis.
  
  3. Myoglobin | The Earliest Warning Marker
  When rapid diagnosis is essential, myoglobin can provide early indications of cardiac injury.
  ⚡️ Key Feature: One of the first proteins released into the bloodstream after myocardial damage.
  ⏱️ Time to Elevation: Detectable as early as 2 hours after symptom onset.

• Specialized Cardiovascular Risk Factors

  1. Homocysteine
  Homocysteine is an important amino acid marker in the blood. Elevated levels are associated with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease. While genetic factors may contribute, vitamin B12 deficiency is one of the most common causes of elevated homocysteine levels.
  
  💡 Recommendation: Adequate intake of folic acid and B-complex vitamins can help reduce homocysteine levels.

  2. C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
  CRP is a valuable predictor of cardiovascular disease because it reflects inflammation within the arterial system. Conditions such as obesity and diabetes are strongly associated with elevated CRP levels. Research has shown that visceral fat (abdominal fat) is one of the strongest indicators of increased CRP.
  
  💡 Recommendation: Lowering CRP largely depends on lifestyle modification, including adopting a heart-healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity aimed at reducing abdominal fat, and avoiding tobacco use.

Genetics Laboratory

• Who Should Consider Genetic Counseling?

  Genetic counseling is an effective approach for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of inherited disorders. During the counseling process, detailed information regarding the nature of a condition, its clinical manifestations, progression, and potential outcomes is reviewed.
  
  A comprehensive family pedigree is constructed and inheritance patterns are analyzed to estimate the likelihood of a genetic condition occurring or recurring in an individual or other family members.
  
  When necessary, additional evaluations may include molecular, chromosomal, laboratory, and imaging studies. Once the underlying cause is identified, evidence-based recommendations for prevention, monitoring, and treatment are provided according to the specific needs of each family.
  
  Genetic counseling is one of the most accessible and effective strategies for reducing the risk of congenital anomalies and hereditary diseases. It plays a significant role in various medical specialties, including obstetrics and gynecology, infertility, cardiovascular medicine, oncology, neonatology, and hematology.

• Genetic Counseling Is Recommended in the Following Situations
  • Consanguineous (related-family) marriages
  • Advanced maternal or paternal age at marriage or pregnancy
  • Newly diagnosed genetic disorders
  • Recurrent pregnancy loss (especially associated with coagulation disorders such as Factor II and Factor V mutations)
  • Infertility
  • Carrier screening for common inherited disorders
  • Having a child with congenital anomalies or intellectual disability
  • Family history of inherited disorders such as cystic fibrosis, congenital heart defects, Fragile X syndrome, or diabetes
  • Exposure to potentially harmful agents including medications, chemicals, alcohol, or radiation therapy
  • Personal or family concerns regarding genetic health risks
  • Certain behavioral disorders with a suspected genetic basis
• Genetics Laboratory Services

  Equipped with advanced technologies, the Genetics Laboratory provides comprehensive genetic diagnostic services for both prenatal and postnatal evaluations at government-approved rates.

  Molecular Genetics
  Diagnostic testing for a wide range of conditions, including:

  • Metabolic disorders
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Hereditary hearing loss
  • Male infertility
  • Pregnancy loss and miscarriage
  • Neuromuscular disorders
  • Mitochondrial diseases
  • Various forms of cancer
  • Other molecular disorders as requested by the treating physician

  Cytogenetics and Karyotyping
  Karyotype analysis is used to evaluate chromosome number and structure and to identify chromosomal abnormalities.
  
  This test is recommended in the following situations:

  • Congenital anomalies and birth defects
  • Family history of chromosomal syndromes such as Down syndrome
  • Infertility
  • History of structural chromosomal abnormalities
  • Abnormal prenatal screening results
  • Developmental delay and growth disorders
  • Recurrent miscarriage
  • Menstrual disorders or amenorrhea
  • Ambiguous genitalia
  • History of neonatal death or stillbirth
  • Chromosome instability disorders such as Fanconi anemia, Ataxia-Telangiectasia, and Bloom syndrome
  • Intellectual disability
  • Sex determination and Y-chromosome evaluation in selected cases
  • Prenatal sex determination in special clinical circumstances
  • Families with a child affected by disability or developmental disorders
• Techniques Used in the Genetics Laboratory
  • PCR and PCR-derived methods for DNA amplification and analysis
  • DNA and RNA extraction from blood and saliva samples
  • Agarose gel electrophoresis for DNA and RNA fragment analysis
  • Sanger Sequencing
  • Karyotyping for chromosome number and structural analysis
  • MLPA (Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification)
  • NGS (Next-Generation Sequencing) Data Analysis