Laboratory medicine

1. General Principles of Laboratory Medicine

• Pre-analytical, analytical, post-analytical phases
• Specimen collection & handling
• Reference ranges & biological variability
• Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV
• Critical values & lab alert systems
• Lab informatics (LIS)

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2. Hematology

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

• RBC indices (MCV/MCH/MCHC/RDW)
• Approach to anemia
• Leukocytosis & leukopenia
• Thrombocytopenia & thrombocytosis

Hemoglobinopathies

• Hb electrophoresis
• Thalassemias
• Sickle cell disease

Bone Marrow

• Indications & interpretation
• Myelodysplasia, leukemias

Coagulation

• PT/INR, aPTT, TT, RT, dRVVT, Mixed study, fibrinogen, D-dimer
• Coagulation factor assays
• Thrombophilia testing
• Evaluation of bleeding & thrombosis disorders

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3. Clinical Chemistry

Basic Panels

• Electrolytes (Na, K, Cl, HCO3)
• Bicarbonate / Metabolic acidosis
• Renal panel (BUN, creatinine, eGFR)
• Liver panel (AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, bilirubin)
• Amylase / Lipase
• Lipid profile

Endocrine Testing

• Thyroid function tests (TSH, FT4, FT3)
• Cortisol & ACTH
• Gonadal hormones
• Prolactin
• Growth hormone axis

Cardiac Markers

• Troponin
• CK-MB
• BNP/NT-proBNP

Metabolic Disorders

• Glucose / Chronic glycemic testing (HbA1c, CGM)
• Lactate
• Ketone
• Ammonia
• Uric acid
• Iron profiles

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4. Microbiology

Bacteriology

• Specimen collection by site (blood, urine, CSF, wound)
• Gram stain interpretation / Culture & sensitivity
• Rapid antigen testing
• Anaerobic infections

Antibiogram

• Reading susceptibility reports
• ESBL, AmpC, CRE
• MRSA, VRE

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5. Virology

• PCR & viral load testing
• Serology for viral infections
• HBV, HCV monitoring
• HIV testing & interpretation
• Influenza, RSV panels
• TORCH screening

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6. Parasitology & Mycology

• Stool O&P
• Malaria smear
• Fungal culture
• Candida vs invasive fungal markers (β-D-glucan, galactomannan)
• Cryptococcal antigen

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7. Immunology & Autoimmune Serology

• ANA & autoimmune panels
• Anti-dsDNA, Anti-Sm, Anti-U1 RNP
• ENA profiles
• ANCA
• Rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP
• Complement levels (C3, C4)
• Allergy testing (IgE, specific IgE)
• Immunology lab testing
• Acute phase reactant (CRP, ESR, procalcitonin)
• Tumor markers (AFP, CEA, CA125, CA19-9, CA15-3, CA 27.29, PSA, β-hCG, calcitonin, thyroglobulin, chromogranin A, LDH, NSE, CA 72-4, CYFRA21-1, ProGRP, β2-Microglobulin)

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8. Transfusion Medicine (Blood Bank)

• Blood typing (ABO/Rh)
• Antibody screen & crossmatch
• Indications for blood components
• PRC
• Platelets
• FFP
• Cryoprecipitate
• Transfusion reactions
• Massive transfusion protocol
• Stem cell / apheresis basics

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9. Molecular Diagnostics & Genetics

• PCR
• Real-time PCR
• Next-generation sequencing (NGS)
• Minimal residual disease (MRD)
• Pharmacogenomics (CYP450, HLA-B*1502)
• Prenatal genetic screening

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10. Toxicology

• Drug screens (UDS)
• Interpretation pitfalls (false positive/negative)
• Alcohol level
• Acetaminophen & salicylate levels
• Heavy metals (lead, mercury)
• Therapeutic drug monitoring (vancomycin, phenytoin, digoxin)

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11. Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)

• Glucose meter accuracy
• ABG interpretation
• POC troponin
• POC INR
• Pregnancy tests

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12. Laboratory Quality, Errors & Interpretation

• Quality control (QC)
• Quality assurance (QA)
• Proficiency testing
• Common lab errors
• Delta checks
• Turnaround time improvement

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