Laboratory Tests in Kyiv

Laboratory diagnostics is one of the most important branches of medicine, without which it would be impossible to detect many diseases accurately and, most importantly, in good time. Laboratory tests are methods of examining samples of blood, urine, stool, scrapings and swabs, semen, tissue for histology, and more on specialized equipment. According to WHO, 75–90% of all the tests prescribed to and performed for patients are laboratory tests.

Do you know this but still doubt the importance of laboratory methods in the timely diagnosis of diseases? It is time to set aside the stereotype that laboratory diagnostics in Ukraine is “slow, painful, expensive, and of insufficient quality.” Perhaps you have heard this, or even believe it yourself. At CSM Clinic, a full-cycle multidisciplinary clinic in Kyiv, we can help dispel this myth. Our specialists perform tests promptly and aim to provide reliable results. At our clinic you can also get a professional interpretation of your test results from an experienced doctor.

When You May Need Laboratory Tests

Laboratory diagnostics may be needed in three cases:

• as part of a routine check-up (regardless of the reason for it; for women, for example, this may be an examination for registration during pregnancy);
• when there are certain symptoms and complaints that require laboratory diagnostics to establish a diagnosis;

to monitor an already diagnosed disease in order to control prescribed therapy or before surgery.

The CSM Clinic laboratory also offers comprehensive packages that include several laboratory diagnostic methods.

How to Prepare for Tests

Preparation for tests may include different requirements depending on the laboratory diagnostic method. The reliability of the results depends on whether the preparation recommendations are followed.

Blood test

• consult your doctor about whether it is necessary and possible to temporarily stop medications and hormonal drugs whose use may affect the reliability of results (except when the test is prescribed to monitor the effect of therapy);
• it is recommended to give the sample in the morning (from 8:00 to 11:00), since reference values are based on these hours;
• avoid psycho-emotional stress on the day of the test (especially for hormone panel values);
• rest for 15–30 minutes before venous blood collection, and limit physical activity the day before;
• do not smoke for 1–2 hours before the procedure;
• exclude fatty, fried, smoked, and spicy foods from your usual diet 1–2 days before the tests;
• leave an interval of at least 8 hours since your last meal.

The following must be taken strictly on an empty stomach: blood biochemistry (including glucose), hemostasis system tests, hormone panel, tumor markers, markers of autoimmune diseases, and the allergy test panel. A three-hour interval between blood collection and the last meal is acceptable for tests such as a CBC, blood group and Rh factor, PCR for infectious diseases, and serology.

There are separate preparation rules for each blood parameter.

Urine test

• perform genital hygiene;
• stop taking diuretics 2–3 days before the test;
• before collecting urine, insert a gynecological tampon into the vagina (for women).

A general urinalysis, urine glucose, iodine and protein tests, Nechiporenko and Zimnitsky urine tests, the Reberg test, and others also have specific rules, which the doctor explains when prescribing the test.

Stool test

• 2–3 days before collecting the sample, stop taking medications such as laxatives, iron, copper, and bismuth preparations, and absorbents (especially activated charcoal), and stop using rectal suppositories and fat-based ointments;
• wait until menstruation has ended;
• it is recommended to collect the sample in the morning; if your bowel routine does not allow it, the sample can be prepared in advance, but no more than 8 hours before it is delivered to the laboratory (additional requirements for advance preparation: store the stool in a refrigerator at +2 to +8 °C);
• make sure that no urine or water gets into the sample.

When prescribing the test, the doctor explains its specific preparation rules.

PCR tests

For COVID-19

• before a throat swab, it is not recommended to: use any oral products intended to be dissolved or to irrigate the oropharynx, or to rinse the nose, within 6 hours; chew gum and/or candy, eat and/or drink, brush your teeth, rinse your mouth and/or throat, or smoke within 3–4 hours;

• before a nasal swab, it is not recommended to use drops, sprays, ointments, or nasal rinses within 3–4 hours, and if there is heavy discharge, clear the nasal passages by blowing your nose (shortly before the test).

Other types of polymerase chain reaction

There are separate preparation rules depending on the parameter to be determined. It is best to ask your doctor about them.

Semen analysis

• buy a special plastic container in advance;
• avoid ejaculation for at least 48 hours;
• avoid alcohol (regardless of strength);
• exclude spicy, fatty, and smoked foods from your usual diet;
• stop smoking for several days;
• consult your doctor about whether it is possible to temporarily stop medications (especially sleeping pills, antidepressants, and sedatives) and hormonal drugs whose use may affect the reliability of results;
• avoid concentrated heat on the genitals for 24 hours before collecting the biomaterial (this means no baths, saunas, tanning beds, hot baths, and so on).

Enterobiasis scraping

The sample is collected in the morning (always before a bowel movement and before genital hygiene). The doctor will describe the specifics of the procedure when prescribing the test.

Demodex test

• for 3–4 days before collecting the biological material, avoid decorative and skincare cosmetics, personal hygiene products with a high alkali content, and topical medications;
• stop washing your face 24 hours before the test (even with plain water).

The doctor explains the rules for collecting eyelashes and eyebrow hairs and taking an epithelial scraping when prescribing the test.

Urogenital swabs in women

• wait until days 10–20 of the menstrual cycle (unless the doctor has prescribed a different specific period);
• wait 3 months after any surgical procedures on the cervix (including colposcopy with biopsy);
• avoid vaginal intercourse for 3 days before the procedure;
• do not douche for at least 5 days.

Bacteriological tests

All types of bacteriological tests are performed before the start of antibacterial therapy or in the intervals between courses of treatment.

Reasons to Postpone Laboratory Tests

Factors that may be a reason not to have laboratory tests include:

• an X-ray, MRI, CT, endoscopy, ultrasound, manual examination, biopsy, and the like around the day of sample collection (blood is not drawn for any tests immediately after them);
• massage, reflexology, or physiotherapy immediately before blood collection for laboratory tests;
• intravenous administration of medications;
• alcohol consumption within the previous 24 hours before the tests;
• smoking less than 1 hour before collecting blood, urine, a swab, and so on;
• cystoscopy less than 5–7 days before a urine test;
• menstruation in women (urogenital scrapings and swabs, as well as stool and urine samples, should not be collected);
• an enema before collecting a stool sample (it is necessary to wait 2–3 hours);
• any bleeding, or the two-week period after gastroscopy and colonoscopy (stool cannot be tested for occult blood);
• cracks or injured skin and mucous membrane in the anal area (it is not advisable to collect an enterobiasis scraping);
• obstacles to obtaining reliable results in any bacteriological tests and ELISA (an exception is when the doctor prescribes the test to monitor the effectiveness of treatment).

And this is far from a complete list of limitations.

You can learn more about the nuances of taking laboratory tests from your doctor.

How Tests Are Taken

For collecting biological material, CSM Clinic uses only quality consumables with a high level of infection safety (disposable automatic lancets, vacuum systems with double-ended needles, sterile urine and stool containers, sterile glass slides, and sterile disposable instruments such as cotton swabs, scalpels, and special brushes).

Capillary and venous blood is collected in the treatment room.

The patient collects urine and stool independently into sterile containers and then delivers them to the clinic for testing in zip bags.

Swabs and scrapings are in most cases taken directly by the doctor in the consultation room. To do this, the specialist runs a sterile instrument intended for the specific type of test over the mucosa; for a skin scraping, a scalpel is used (the skin remains intact, only epithelial scales are scraped). The resulting sample is then transferred to a glass slide and/or placed, together with the instrument, in a special container or test tube.

Collecting biological material for a test takes a little over 10 minutes.

Almost all procedures are painless, although in highly sensitive people they may be accompanied by mild discomfort.

If a procedure involves slight pain, local anesthesia is used. Depending on the sampling area, this may be either a freezing spray or lidocaine drops.

After collection and receipt, the material is sent to the laboratory as quickly as possible for testing.

Test Results and Their Interpretation

Thanks to its own modern laboratory, tests at CSM Clinic are performed as quickly as possible (some of them may be ready within 1–2 hours). After collection, biomaterials are delivered to a laboratory equipped with high-throughput equipment promptly.

Even when test results include reference values by sex and age, only a doctor can provide a qualified interpretation. The accuracy of the diagnosis and the appropriateness of the prescribed treatment (if it is needed based on the laboratory results) depend on the correct interpretation of the tests.

You can get a doctor's consultation at our full-cycle clinic.

Advantages of Laboratory Diagnostics at the Clinic

1. CSM Clinic is a full-cycle multidisciplinary medical center with its own laboratory, which performs over 1,000 types of laboratory tests. Biological samples for tests are collected at all clinic branches.
2. Blood is collected only into special vacuum test systems to improve the quality of laboratory tests. This method of collection also helps prevent infection of both the patient and staff.
3. Laboratory tests are performed on high-precision equipment from leading international manufacturers.
4. Every test is reviewed by a laboratory doctor.
5. Many tests are ready quickly, some within 1–2 hours (if the testing method allows).
6. Fast turnaround for laboratory tests in urgent (Cito) mode.
7. A high level of confidentiality of medical information.
8. Reasonable prices for tests in the medical laboratory.

Want to learn as much as possible about your health in 15 minutes? Planning an annual check-up but not sure where to take tests to get results you can rely on? You can book laboratory tests in Kyiv at CSM Clinic at a convenient time by phone through the contact center or via the feedback form on the website. (Biological samples are collected at all clinic branches.) Contact us: quality diagnostics is the basis of successful treatment.