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At Biohealth Medical Laboratory, we specialize in complete blood testing in five (5) major areas: Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Immunology/Serology, Immunohematology (Blood Bank), and Microbiology.

Clinical Chemistry

 

The Clinical Chemistry department analyzes body fluid chemical contents. Most tests performed in this department are done on blood serum --  the liquid portion of the blood after clot formation and plasma --  the liquid portion of blood when clot formation is prevented by the use of an anticoagulant. Procedures include analyzing all body fluids (serum, plasma, urine, spinal fluid, joint fluid, etc…) for specific content. Some major tests performed include glucose;  total protein; cholesterol; triglycerides; creatinine; electrolytes ( sodium, potassium, chloride, carbon dioxide); Enzymes (substances that if elevated may indicate damage to different body tissues such as the heart, liver, kidneys, etc…); Hormone levels (reproductive hormones, thyroid, etc…); Tumor Markers (prostate, colon, breast, ovary, etc…), and various Drug Level studies.

Hematology

 

The Hematology department concentrates on counting various components of the blood, including white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, red cell indices, platelets, and other important parameters.  Other procedures include Reticulocyte Count, Hemoglobin Electrophoresis (for Sickle Cell & other abnormal Hemoglobins), Sedimentation Rate (measurement used to detect  and monitor an inflammatory response to tissue injury), and much more.

       An additional area often included within the Hematology department of the medical laboratory is Coagulation studies.  Hemostasis is the mechanism that enables the body to control and stop bleeding from an injured blood vessel and is more commonly termed the process of “coagulation”, specifically referring to testing of the mechanisms that prevent the loss of vital body fluids by plugging ruptured vessels to stop bleeding.  Prothrombin Time (PT) / PT-INR , the Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT), and the Bleeding Time (a screening test for detecting disorders of platelet function and platelet count) are some routine tests performed usually to detect hemostatic disorders and to monitor oral anticoagulant and heparin therapy.   

Immunology / Serology

 

This department includes antigen (a foreign substance that induces an immune response) and antibody (protein substances or serum factors produced by one’s body in response to a foreign agent/substance) testing to determine diseases that have antigen and antibody pathogenesis.  Routine tests include Syphilis, Rubella, H.pylori (common cause of gastric ulcers), HIV, Hepatitis, Herpes, Infectious Mononucleosis, various Autoimmune Disease testing, and much more.

Immunohematology (Blood Bank)

 

Basic routine procedure performed in this department will include the ABO and Rh blood type.
Please inquire about the availability of other tests not listed or mentioned.

Microbiology

 

Disease-causing microorganisms (bacteria and parasites) are isolated, observed, and identified in the Microbiology department. These microorganisms may be obtained from different body fluids and/or sites including urine, stool (rectal swabs), wounds, eyes, ears, and genital area.  In addition, susceptibility testing (where organisms are exposed to different antibiotics) is also performed in the Microbiology department.  Laboratory personal, in  turn, can then report to the physician the antibiotic that most effectively inhibit or kill the organism.

 

Other Areas of Testing

(i). Other Body Fluids
      • Urine / Urine Analysis
      • Semen / Semen Analysis     
    
(ii). Other specialized tests, offered as “send-outs”
      • Genetic Disease testing
      • DNA analysis
      • Cytology analysis
      • Biopsy analysis