Tests

Clinical laboratory tests

Search by test name or browse the laboratory areas. Each analysis has its own page covering preparation, specimen, method, results, indicative values and limitations.

Test catalogue

Browse our tests and laboratory analyses

Each test has its own page explaining why it is requested, how the sample is collected, what preparation is needed, how it is processed, the results it may provide and its main limitations.

Search by test name or browse the laboratory areas. If you are unsure which test you need, the Askabide team can guide you based on the reason for your enquiry.

Blood and biochemistry

Five-part blood count, dry chemistry, glucose, lipids, kidney and liver function, anaemia and inflammation.

Hormones and fertility

Thyroid, female and male reproductive hormones, prolactin and β-hCG by immunoassay when available.

PCR, STIs and infections

HPV, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV, SARS-CoV-2 and serology, with specimen selection based on exposure and method.

Urine, cultures and pathology

Urinalysis, urine culture, gynaecological cultures, cytology and biopsies with sample traceability.

Obstetric and family genetics

Non-invasive prenatal screening, hereditary cancer, family studies and kinship through partner laboratories.

Toxicology and special tests

Urine drug testing with chain of custody, pre-operative panels, tumour markers and specialised tests.

Clinical catalogue

Explore the full catalogue

The catalogue contains 30 clinical guides. Availability, price and turnaround are confirmed for each centre and date.

30 tests foundIntervals vary by method, analyser, reagent, units, age, sex, pregnancy, menstrual-cycle phase and reference population. The valid interval is the one printed on the laboratory report.

Blood and biochemistry Processed at Askabide

Complete blood count with 5-part differential

Counts red cells, white cells and platelets, with automated classification of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils.

Venous blood in an EDTA tube.

Analytical phase in minutes; often same day after quality checks and validation.

Blood and biochemistry Processed at Askabide

General biochemistry by dry chemistry

A panel of substances and enzymes providing information on metabolism, kidneys, liver, proteins and mineral balance, processed with dry-chemistry reagents when available.

Venous blood; usually serum or plasma depending on the test.

Many routine determinations may be validated the same day; this is confirmed according to panel, timing and controls.

Blood and biochemistry Processed at Askabide

Glucose and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c)

Assess current blood glucose and, for HbA1c, average glucose exposure over roughly the previous two to three months.

Venous or capillary blood depending on the validated test and procedure.

Usually same day when available and quality controls are acceptable.

Blood and biochemistry Processed at Askabide

Lipid profile

Measures total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides to assess cardiovascular risk together with age, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and other factors.

Venous blood; serum or plasma depending on method.

Usually same day when processed on site.

Blood and biochemistry Processed at Askabide

Kidney function

Combines creatinine, urea, estimated glomerular filtration rate and, when indicated, electrolytes and urine albumin/protein.

Venous blood; some panels also require a spot or 24-hour urine sample.

Many determinations same day; 24-hour urine or referred tests may take longer.

Blood and biochemistry Processed at Askabide

Liver profile

Groups enzymes and proteins that provide clues about hepatocellular injury, cholestasis and synthetic function without replacing clinical or imaging assessment.

Venous blood, usually serum.

Usually same day when determinations are processed on site.

Blood and biochemistry Combined pathway

Iron and anaemia study

Combines CBC, ferritin, iron, transferrin or saturation and, when indicated, vitamin B12 and folate to investigate anaemia.

Venous blood; more than one tube may be required.

CBC and part of the chemistry may be same day; ferritin, B12 or folate depend on reagents and pathway.

Blood and biochemistry Processed at Askabide

C-reactive protein (CRP)

A non-specific marker of inflammation that may rise with infection, injury, surgery or inflammatory disease.

Venous blood; serum, plasma or whole blood depending on the validated reagent.

Rapid analytical phase; often same day after validation.

Hormones and fertility Combined pathway

Thyroid profile: TSH and thyroid hormones

Assesses the thyroid axis using TSH and, when indicated, free T4, T3 and thyroid antibodies.

Venous blood; serum or plasma depending on reagent.

TSH and free T4 may be rapid when cartridges are active; antibodies and other tests may be referred.

Hormones and fertility Combined pathway

Female hormone and fertility profile

May include FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, TSH, AMH and other tests according to the clinical question and cycle timing.

Venous blood; some tests require a specific cycle day.

Active ichroma II determinations may be reported rapidly; AMH and specialised tests may be referred.

Hormones and fertility Combined pathway

Male hormone profile

May include total testosterone, SHBG or calculated free testosterone, LH, FSH, prolactin, TSH and other tests according to symptoms and fertility.

Venous blood, preferably in the morning for testosterone.

Active ichroma II hormones may be rapid; SHBG and specialised tests may be referred.

Hormones and fertility Processed at Askabide

β-hCG: pregnancy testing and follow-up

Detects or quantifies human chorionic gonadotropin. It may confirm biochemical pregnancy and support early follow-up with symptoms and ultrasound.

Venous blood for quantitative β-hCG; urine for qualitative testing depending on service.

Rapid when the cartridge is available; serial repeat is often scheduled after 48 hours when indicated.

Urine, cultures and pathology Processed at Askabide

General urinalysis

Assesses appearance, concentration and substances such as protein, glucose, blood, nitrites or leukocytes; microscopy may be added.

Midstream urine in a sterile container; first morning urine if instructed.

Dipstick is rapid; sediment and validation may be completed the same day.

Urine, cultures and pathology Combined pathway

Urine culture

Looks for bacteria or fungi causing urinary infection and, when appropriate, determines antibiotic susceptibility.

Midstream urine in a sterile container; other specimens require clinical collection.

Preliminary result commonly 24–48 hours; identification and susceptibility may require 48–72 hours or longer.

Urine, cultures and pathology Combined pathway

Gynaecological cultures and swabs

Investigate organisms in vaginal, cervical or other specimens, choosing culture, microscopy or PCR according to symptoms and suspicion.

Vaginal, cervical, vulval, urethral or other site-specific swab.

Microscopy or rapid tests may be early; cultures take 2–5 days and some fungi longer.

Urine, cultures and pathology Combined pathway

Cervical cytology

Examines cervical cells for reactive changes, atypia and intraepithelial lesions; it is not the same as an HPV PCR.

Cervical sample collected with a brush or spatula, usually in liquid medium.

Usually several working days; longer if additional review is needed.

Urine, cultures and pathology Combined pathway

Biopsies and histopathology

Examines tissue obtained by biopsy or surgery to provide a histological diagnosis and, where relevant, grade, margins or ancillary tests.

Tissue in appropriate fixative or fresh according to procedure; the container must never be improvised.

Usually several working days; may be longer for extra sections, stains, immunohistochemistry or expert review.

PCR, STIs and infections Processed at Askabide

High-risk HPV by PCR/NAAT

Detects DNA or other genetic material from high-risk human papillomavirus types in a cervical or vaginal sample.

Clinician-collected cervical sample or vaginal sample, only when accepted by the assay in use.

The analytical phase can be completed rapidly; the report is released after controls, validation and according to batch scheduling.

PCR, STIs and infections Processed at Askabide

Chlamydia and gonorrhoea by PCR/NAAT

Detects genetic material from Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae at the sampled anatomical site.

First-catch urine, vaginal/cervical/urethral swab and, only when assay-validated, rectal or pharyngeal swab.

Usually the same day or next working day when sample and controls are valid.

PCR, STIs and infections Combined pathway

HIV: combined test and PCR/NAT

The strategy depends on time since exposure: an antigen/antibody test for screening and PCR/NAT for specific indications or very recent exposure.

Venous blood; tube type depends on the assay.

Screening can be rapid; reactive or indeterminate results and some molecular studies require confirmation and take longer.

PCR, STIs and infections Processed at Askabide

SARS-CoV-2 by PCR/NAAT

Detects SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in a respiratory sample compatible with the assay used.

Nasal or nasopharyngeal swab, or another specimen expressly validated for the assay.

Rapid result when processed on site and controls pass; exact timing depends on receipt time and analytical workflow.

PCR, STIs and infections Combined pathway

Sexually transmitted infection serology

Tests antigens or antibodies for infections such as syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, according to the requested profile.

Venous blood.

Some tests can be reported rapidly; reactive or equivocal findings require confirmation and more time.

Obstetric and family genetics Partner laboratory

Obstetric and prenatal genetics

Includes genetic screening or diagnostic tests during pregnancy, selected according to gestational age, history and clinical counselling.

Maternal blood for cell-free fetal DNA; other tests may require chorionic villi, amniotic fluid or another specimen collected at a specialist centre.

Turnaround depends on the study and partner laboratory; it is usually several working days and may be longer if repeat or confirmation is needed.

Obstetric and family genetics Partner laboratory

Family genetics and hereditary cancer

Studies genes related to inherited disorders or familial predisposition, based on a clinical indication and informed consent.

Venous blood or saliva/buccal swab, depending on the study and partner laboratory.

Several weeks for many studies; timing depends on panel, technique, sample quality and whether extension or confirmation is required.

Obstetric and family genetics Partner laboratory

Paternity and kinship testing

Compares genetic markers between people to assess biological compatibility. Procedures differ for private information and legally admissible results.

Usually a buccal swab; in specific cases, blood or another specimen accepted by the laboratory.

Several working days, depending on participants, test type and chain-of-custody requirements.

Toxicology and special tests Combined pathway

Urine drug testing

Screens urine for groups of substances or metabolites. A presumptive positive may require confirmation with a specific analytical technique.

Fresh urine in a suitable container; identity checks and chain of custody for occupational, legal or administrative use.

Screening can be rapid; chromatographic/mass-spectrometric confirmation is referred and takes several days.

Blood and biochemistry Combined pathway

Coagulation studies

Measures coagulation times and parameters such as PT/INR and aPTT, according to the request. It may form part of pre-operative or anticoagulant monitoring.

Venous blood in a correctly filled citrate tube.

Timing depends on the requested test and active pathway; coagulation samples have strict pre-analytical requirements.

Toxicology and special tests Combined pathway

Pre-operative blood tests

A set of tests selected according to the procedure, age, history, medicines and anaesthetic or surgical criteria; there is no universal panel for everyone.

Venous blood and, if requested, urine or other specimens.

Many routine tests may be available the same day; referred or repeated tests take longer.

Toxicology and special tests Combined pathway

Tumour markers

Measures substances associated with selected tumours or tissues, mainly for monitoring or specific clinical situations; it is not a universal 'cancer detection blood test'.

Usually venous blood; some tests use urine or other fluids.

Variable: some tests can be processed rapidly and others are referred. Timing is confirmed for each marker.

Toxicology and special tests Combined pathway

Vitamins and micronutrients

Assesses selected nutrients—such as vitamin D, vitamin B12 or folate—when symptoms, risk factors or monitoring justify testing; they do not all use the same specimen or method.

Usually venous blood.

Some tests can be processed by immunoassay at Askabide when an active validated reagent is available; others are referred and take several days.

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