Specialties of laboratory examinations

Clinical chemistry and hematology laboratory examinations play a central role in disease diagnosis, monitoring, and risk assessment. 

Basic clinical chemistry includes examinations related to fluid and electrolyte balance, liver and kidney function, inflammatory markers, and chemical urine examinations. In addition, hormone, drug level, tumor marker, and metabolic disorder examinations are performed. 

Hematology examinations include complete blood counts, blood and bone marrow cell morphology, diagnostics of hematologic malignancies (i.e. leukemia), coagulation tests, and transfusion-related examination. 

The clinical microbiology laboratory performs examinations in bacteriology, virology, infection serology, autoimmune diseases, mycology, and parasitology. The laboratory investigates whether the disease is caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses. 

Pathology laboratories examine cell and tissue samples. Tissue samples—such as skin, tumor, and endoscopic biopsies—are processed in the histology laboratory for microscopic examination on glass slides. 

A pathologist provides a diagnostic report based on the examined sample. Cytology laboratory prepares cell samples—such as urine, sputum, and cervical smear (pap test)—on slides, which are first reviewed by a screener and then reported by a pathologist. 

The clinical genetics laboratory focuses on the diagnosis of genetic diseases, assessment of hereditary risk within families, and genetic counseling. 

The laboratory's role is to support the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases or predispositions through genetic testing, and increasingly, to guide the selection of appropriate and personalized pharmacological treatments.