Tests starting with the letter A
Laboratory Test Guide: Tests Beginning with the Letter "A"
A complete list of all tests beginning with the letter "A" performed at Egemed Hospitals’ Medical Laboratories is provided below. To help our patients understand these tests in advance, a brief medical description of each test group and its intended laboratory use are clearly stated.
Biochemistry, Hormone, and Metabolism Tests
ACTH
Description: It is an adrenocorticotropic hormone secreted by the pituitary gland.
Purpose: It is used in the diagnosis of adrenal and pituitary gland disorders.
ACYLCARNITINE PROFILE (Tandem MS)
Description: This test measures the carnitine profile, which reflects intracellular energy metabolism.
Purpose: Used for screening for inherited metabolic disorders and fatty acid oxidation defects.
ADENOSINE DEAMINASE (ADA) CSF
ADENOSINE DEAMINASE (ADA) Serum
ADENOSINE DEAMINASE (ADA) Intravenous Solution
Description: This test measures the level of an important enzyme involved in purine metabolism in various body fluids.
Purpose: It is a strong marker, particularly for the cellular diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) infections.
ADRENAL STEROID PANEL Serum
Description: This is a general screening test for steroid hormones secreted by the adrenal glands.
Purpose: Used in the analysis of adrenal insufficiency, tumors, and hormonal imbalances.
AFP (NTD)
Alpha-Fetoprotein
Description: It is a protein produced during the fetal period and secreted by the liver in adults.
Purpose: Used for neural tube defect screening during pregnancy and as a liver tumor marker in adults.
Albumin (serum)
Description: It is the protein found in the highest concentration in the blood and is produced by the liver.
Purpose: To assess liver and kidney function and the patient’s overall nutritional status.
ALDOLAZ
Description: It is an enzyme involved in muscle tissue and glycolysis.
Purpose: It is used in the diagnosis of skeletal muscle diseases that lead to muscle wasting.
Aldosterone
ALDOSTERONE (Outpatient)
Description: It is a hormone that regulates the balance of sodium and potassium in the kidneys.
Purpose: To investigate the causes of hypertension and to test adrenal gland function.
ALFA-1 ANTITRYPSIN (Serum)
Description: It is a protein that protects the lungs from destructive enzymes.
Purpose: To investigate genetic predisposition to COPD (emphysema) and liver diseases that develop at an early age.
Alkaline Phosphatase
Description: This enzyme is found in abundance in the liver, bile ducts, and bone tissue.
Purpose: Used to detect bile duct obstructions and bone metabolism disorders.
ALCOHOL (ETHANOL)
Description: This test measures the amount of ethyl alcohol in the blood or urine.
Purpose: This is performed in cases of alcohol poisoning, emergencies, or for medical or forensic screenings.
ALT
AST
Description: These are key enzymes that reflect the integrity of liver cells.
Purpose: This test is routinely performed to detect conditions such as liver damage, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and fatty liver disease.
AMYLASE ISOENZYMES
Amylase, Serum, and Urine
Description: It is a digestive enzyme produced by the salivary glands and the pancreas.
Purpose: Used in the diagnosis of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and related diseases of the digestive tract.
AMMONIA
Explanation: It is a toxic substance produced as a result of protein breakdown and cleared by the liver.
Purpose: To detect severe liver failure and hepatic encephalopathy (impaired consciousness).
Serum ANDROSTENEDIONE
Description: It is a precursor androgen (male hormone) that can be converted into testosterone and estrogen.
Purpose: For the diagnosis of hirsutism in women, PCOS, and hormonal disorders in men.
Anti-Müllerian Hormone
Description: It is a hormone secreted by the follicles in a woman's ovaries.
Purpose: It is used to determine ovarian reserve and predict the chances of success in IVF treatment.
Apolipoprotein A1
Apolipoprotein B
Apolipoprotein B/A1 ratio
Description: This test measures specific lipid carrier proteins that transport cholesterol in the blood.
Purpose: It enables the accurate prediction of the risk of heart attack and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
ARSENIC Total Hair
Description: A toxicological measurement of the amount of heavy metals accumulated in a strand of hair.
Purpose: To detect chronic arsenic poisoning and environmental/occupational exposure to heavy metals.
ASPARTYLGLUCOSAMINIDASE, Leukocyte
Description: This test measures the activity of specific lysosomal enzymes in leukocytes (white blood cells).
Purpose: To diagnose aspartylglucosaminuria, a rare genetic lysosomal storage disorder.
Immunology, Serology, and Autoantibody Tests
ADALIMUMAB
ANTI-INFLIXIMAB ANTIBODY
Description: This test measures the blood levels of biologic drugs (targeted therapies) used in rheumatology and gastroenterology, as well as the presence of resistance antibodies against these drugs.
Purpose: Used to monitor the effectiveness of biological therapies and adjust dosages.
ANA (Antinuclear Antibody)
ANTINUCLEAR ANTIBODY (ANA)
Explanation: These are autoantibodies produced by the immune system against its own cell nuclei.
Purpose: This is the primary screening test for systemic autoimmune (rheumatic) diseases, particularly lupus (SLE).
Anti-Beta-2 Glycoprotein 1 IgA
Anti-Beta-2 Glycoprotein 1 IgG
Anti-Beta-2 Glycoprotein 1 IgM
Description: This test measures subtypes of autoantibodies that interfere with the coagulation system.
Purpose: It is used in the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome, recurrent miscarriages, and blood clots (thrombosis).
Anti-CCP (Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide) Antibody
Description: It is a highly specific autoantibody produced in response to the inflammatory process in the joints.
Purpose: It is the gold standard for the early and definitive diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory joint disease).
Anti-Deaminated Gliadin Peptide (DGP) Antibody IgA
Anti-Deaminated Gliadin Peptide (DGP) Antibody IgG
Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA
ANTI-ENDOMYSIAL ANTIBODY (EMA) IgA
ANTI-ENDOMYSIAL ANTIBODY (EMA) IgG
Explanation: These are harmful antibodies produced by the immune system in the intestines in response to the consumption of gluten proteins.
Purpose: To establish a definitive diagnosis of celiac disease and gluten intolerance, as well as to monitor dietary compliance.
Anti-Delta Antibody
Anti-HAV IgM
Anti-HAV Total
Anti-HBc IgM
Anti-HBc Total (IgM+IgG)
Anti-HBe
Anti-HBs
Anti-HCV
Description: These are the acute (IgM) and immune (IgG/Total) antibodies produced by the body against hepatitis viruses types A, B, C, and Delta (D), which affect the liver.
Purpose: To determine whether the patient has had a jaundice infection, is a carrier, or is protected by vaccination.
Anti-Desmoglein 1
Anti-Desmoglein 1-3
Explanation: These are autoantibodies that attack the proteins (desmosomes) that bind skin cells together.
Purpose: Used in the diagnosis of pemphigus, a condition characterized by fluid-filled blisters on the skin.
Anti-DNase B
ASO (Quantitative)
Explanation: It is an immune response that develops against the toxins produced by streptococcal bacteria.
Purpose: To confirm the risk of joint rheumatism or kidney inflammation caused by a past infection with the "Beta" bacterium.
Anti-dsDNA
Anti-dsDNA, ELISA
Anti-dsDNA, IIF, Crithidia luciliae
Description: These are antibodies produced against double-stranded DNA and confirmed using various laboratory methods.
Purpose: It is highly specific for the diagnosis of SLE (systemic lupus) and for monitoring renal involvement.
ANTI-PHOSPHOLIPASE A-2 RECEPTOR (PLA2-R) ANTIBODY, ELISA
Description: It is an antibody produced by the body against a specific receptor found in the renal glomeruli.
Purpose: To monitor the diagnosis and course of Primary Membranous Nephropathy (a type of kidney inflammation).
Anti-Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD65) Antibody, ELISA
Anti-Islet (Islet) Antibody
Explanation: These are autoantibodies that attack the islet cells and enzymes that produce insulin in the pancreas.
Purpose: This test is used to diagnose Type 1 diabetes (diabetes that begins at a young age) and to identify LADA syndrome.
Anti-Cardiolipin Antibody (ACA) IgG
Anti-Cardiolipin Antibody (ACA) IgM
Description: These are antibodies produced against cellular lipids (phospholipids) that disrupt the clotting process.
Purpose: Used to screen for recurrent pregnancy loss and the risk of intravascular clotting (thrombosis).
ANTI-LIPOPROTEIN RECEPTOR-RELATED PROTEIN 4 (LRP4) ANTIBODY
ANTI-MUSCLE-SPECIFIC KINASE (MuSK) ANTIBODY
ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTOR ANTIBODY
Description: This is a panel of autoantibodies that target receptors at the junctions (neuromuscular junctions) where nerves and muscles communicate.
Purpose: This test is ordered to establish a definitive diagnosis and identify subtypes of myasthenia gravis, a condition characterized by muscle weakness.
ANTIMITOCONDRIAL ANTIBODY (AMA)
Description: An autoantibody directed against mitochondria, the cell's powerhouse.
Purpose: This test is used to diagnose primary biliary cholangitis, an autoimmune disease of the liver’s bile ducts.
Anti-Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG)IgG
Anti-Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG) IgG, CSF
Description: This test involves screening for antibodies that target specific proteins in the nerve sheath (myelin) in both blood and cerebrospinal fluid.
Purpose: To distinguish between optic nerve inflammation and demyelinating neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS).
Anti-Neuronal Antibodies
ANTI-NEURONAL ANTIBODIES (PNP), IIF
ANTI-NEURONAL ANTIBODIES (PNP), Immunoblot
Description: This is the screening of antibodies directed against neurons in the central nervous system using advanced fluorescence and blot techniques.
Purpose: It is used in the diagnosis of "paraneoplastic syndromes," which typically arise when an undiagnosed cancer affects the nervous system.
Anti-Parietal Cell Antibody (PCA)
Description: It is an autoantibody directed against parietal cells, which produce the factors necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12 in the stomach.
Purpose: To identify the cause of pernicious anemia and autoimmune gastritis.
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM
Explanation: These are the acute and long-term immune antibodies produced by the body in response to the COVID-19 virus.
Purpose: To confirm a past infection or to measure the level of antibodies (protection) resulting from vaccination.
Microbiology and Culture Tests
Abscess Culture
Description: This is the process of culturing a sample taken from an infected (purulent) tissue in a laboratory setting.
Purpose: To identify the specific bacterium causing the infection.
AF Genital Test
Description: Culturing of a swab sample taken from the genital area on specialized Mycoplasma/Ureaplasma media.
Purpose: To screen for specific drug-resistant pathogens that cause sexually transmitted infections.
Amoeba Antibody
Description: This test detects antibodies in the blood against the Entamoeba histolytica parasite.
Purpose: Used in the diagnosis of severe dysentery and amoebic liver abscess.
Anal Tape
Description: This is the microscopic examination of a sample taken from the anal region using the clear tape method, particularly in children.
Purpose: To detect pinworm (Oxyura) eggs.
Antibiogram
Antibiogram (Quantitative)
Description: This is a precise (quantitative) measurement (using MIC values) of which antibiotics a bacterium cultured in a medium is susceptible to or resistant to.
Objective: To select the correct antibiotic that will help the patient recover as quickly as possible.
ARB Screening
SCREENING FOR ACID-RESISTANT BACILLI (ARB) AND MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS CULTURE
Description: This involves searching for the tuberculosis bacterium in sputum or other bodily fluids using special stains and incubating the sample for an extended period.
Purpose: To establish a definitive, gold-standard diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB).
ASPERGILLUS (GALACTOMANNAN) ANTIGEN
Description: This test detects the presence of a structural antigen (galactomannan) from Aspergillus species in blood or respiratory secretions.
Purpose: For the early diagnosis of life-threatening fungal infections in immunocompromised patients (e.g., those with cancer).
Genetic and Molecular Analyses
ACE I/D MUTATION ANALYSIS
Description: This is a molecular analysis of a mutation in the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) gene, which regulates blood pressure.
Purpose: To determine the risk of heart attack, hypertension, and predisposition to cardiovascular disease.
ALZHEIMER PANEL
ALZHEIMER TYPE 1 (APP exons 16 and 17)
ALZHEIMER TYPE 1 (APP whole gene)
ALZHEIMER TYPE 4 (PSEN2 whole gene)
Description: This involves the mapping of chromosomal gene sequences that cause early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease.
Objective: To identify genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease at the cellular level.
CHROMOSOME ANALYSIS IN AMNIOTIC FLUID
Description: It involves mapping the genome of fetal cells obtained from the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby in the womb.
Purpose: It is performed to definitively diagnose severe chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome, before birth.
ANTITHROMBIN III GENE ANALYSIS
Description: This study investigates a defect in the gene that encodes antithrombin III, a protein that prevents unnecessary blood clotting.
Purpose: To assess the risk of unexplained heart attacks at a young age, recurrent miscarriages, and deep vein thrombosis.
Hematology and Coagulation Tests
APTT (Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time)
Description: This is a basic hematological (blood) test that measures the blood clotting process (intrinsic pathway) in seconds.
Purpose: Used to screen for bleeding disorders (such as hemophilia) and to monitor patients receiving heparin (a blood thinner) treatment.