HealthSpot applies strict high-quality standards that ensure the validity and reliability of diagnostic tests that are performed comfortably and safely in our facilities.
Appropriate and proper preparation of the examinees before each test is particularly important and essential for the successful obtaining of valid results.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION FOR THE COLLECTION OF BIOLOGICAL FLUIDS (URINE, BLOOD)
For special situations, consult your doctor or one of HealthSpot's experienced scientific staff who will always be there to assist you.
Collection of random urine sample
Random urine samples (general urinalysis) are collected in a special sterile container (urine collector).
Morning mid-morning urine is collected after thorough cleaning of the genital area.
24-hour urine collection
24-hour urine is collected in a special calibrated container and stored in the refrigerator (temperature +2 0C to + 8 0C).
Α. 24-hour urine collection
The first morning urine shall not be collected. The second urine and all other urine shall be collected in a special container.
Urine is collected up to the first morning urination of the following day. The first morning urination of the first and second day shall be at the same time. No urine must be missed.
Β. Special Diets for 24-hour urine collection
Special Diet for the following tests
- Metanephrines
- NOP-Metanephrine
- Catecholamines
- Dopamine
- Adrenaline
- NOP-Adrenaline
- VMA
- HVA
One 24-hour period before and during collection, the consumption of the following is prohibited:
- Chocolate, cocoa, tea, coffee and its contents (sweets, creams, candies, ice cream, etc.)
- Nuts
- Bananas
- Alcoholic beverages
- Bottled drinks (orange juice, Coca - Cola)
- Beetroot
72 hours before and during collection, the use of medicines is prohibited.
Before stopping medication, contact your doctor.
Special Diet for 24-hour urine calcium collection
Calcium and hormones related to osteoporosis should not be taken for at least 3 days before the day of collection. All urine should be collected and not part of it.
Special Diet for 24-hour urine hydroxyproline collection
In the special diet required during harvesting, the food should not contain any collagen. That is why the following are prohibited:
- Meat & meat products (sausages, meat soup, etc.)
- Fish (soups)
- Poultry (soups)
- Pudding - desserts
- Ice cream - Sweets - Candy
- Products with gelatine
The following are proposed as replacements: Cheese - milk - skimmed milk - yoghurt - eggs - pulses - green vegetable soups - salads - pasta.
Blood and biochemical tests
A 12-hour fast is required for blood sampling for blood and biochemical tests, except for patients with special cases who should consult their doctor.
Blood coagulation test
If the patient is taking anticoagulation medicine, it should not be taken on the morning of the examination. Fasting for 2 hours before the test is also recommended.
Immunological testing
Blood sampling shall be performed at any time of the day. No preparation is required.
Glucose curve
- The test is always performed in the morning.
- A carbohydrate-based diet (pasta, potatoes, peas, fruit, etc.) is recommended during the previous three days.
- General fasting and avoidance of alcohol and tobacco products is recommended, as well as vigorous exercise in the 12 hours prior to the test. If the subject is taking medication, he/she should have informed the doctor beforehand of the possibility of temporarily stopping it, as certain drugs may affect the result of the test.
Culture of vaginal swab
On the day of the examination the patient should not wash internally (intravaginal) and externally in the area. Also, vaginal suppositories and ointments should not have been used three days before the examination.
Culture of urethral secretions
Topical washing is recommended and then the patient should not urinate for 3 hours before coming to the laboratory to obtain the specimen.
For all cultures, you should not have been treated with antibiotics in the last week before the test (always check with your treating physician).
Hormonal screening
No special diet is required to measure most hormones.
- Parathyroid hormone and calcitonin: a 12-hour fast is required, therefore blood sampling is carried out in the morning.
- FSH, LH, estradiol: Blood sampling is performed on the 2nd-4th day of the cycle or another day as directed by the attending physician.
- Progesterone: Blood sampling is performed on the 21st day of the cycle or other day as directed by the attending Physician.
- D4-androstenedione: An early morning intake is required due to the fluctuation of its levels during the day. Blood sampling is recommended during the first 5 or the last 15 days of the cycle.
- Testosterone: Morning intake is required due to variation in its levels during the day. Also, avoidance of physical exercise or vigorous activity prior to the test is required.
- Cortisol: Measurement is done twice a day: in the morning when the value is highest and, in the afternoon, when the value drops.
- Prolactin: An early morning intake is required provided the patient has been awake approximately 3 hours before. It is recommended to avoid the use of phenothiazines, estrogens, antihypertensives, amphetamines, alpha-methyldopa 2 days before blood draw.
- Thyroid hormones: Morning intake before taking anti-thyroid drugs such as thyroxine. No special diet or fasting is required before thyroid hormone tests.
- B-chorionic gonadotropin: It is recommended that blood sampling be performed from day 2 of delayed menstruation onwards. In case of IVF, B-chorionic gonadotropin certifies a pregnancy 14 days after embryo transfer.
- Antidiuretic hormone (ADH): morning intake after a fast of at least 8 hours.
Neoplastic markers
The test is performed at any time of the day without diet or other preparation.
Mayer Fecal Test
The following are prohibited:
- Beetroot
- Brushing teeth
- Taking aspirin and anti-inflammatories
- Taking iron
- Consumption of foods with muscle fibres (meat)
The test should not be performed during menstruation, bleeding haemorrhoids or anal stretch marks.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION FOR IMAGING EXAMINATIONS
X-Ray
It is recommended that you wear clothing and other accessories (e.g. jewellery) that are easy to remove as you will be asked to do so before the X-ray. If you are taking any medication, you can take it as normal on the day of the examination.
Ultrasound examination
Depending on the examination you may need special preparation such as fasting or drinking several glasses of water before the examination. Please contact us for more information.
Ultrasound (U/S) – body triplex:
- Upper abdominal ultrasound (U/S)
Adult
The following types of food and drink should be avoided the day before the test:
- Legumes
- Vegetables
- Dairy products
- Fruits
- Fruits and vegetables
An 8-hour fast is required on the day of the test.
Infants - Children
Up to 6 months: A 3-hour fast is required on the day of the test. If a meal is required, chamomile rather than milk is preferred.
From 6 months to 6 years: On the day before the test, avoid eating legumes, vegetables and fruits. On the day of the test, avoid dairy products and fast for 4 hours before the test.
From 6 years and over: the day before the test avoid eating legumes, vegetables and fruit. On the day of the test, dairy products should be avoided and a 6-hour fast is required before the test.
Ultrasound (U/S) of the lower abdomen
Adults
One hour before the test start drinking water (about 5-6 glasses of water) and do not urinate. Lower abdominal ultrasound requires a strong urge to urinate.
Infants - Children
- Up to 2 years of age: No preparation required
- From 2 years of age and above, water consumption, indicatively:
- For 2 to 6 years of age: 2 glasses
- For 6 to 12 years: 3 glasses.
- For 12 years and over: 4 glasses.
The last urination of the child should be at least 2 hours before the test and before drinking water.
*For adult upper and lower abdominal ultrasound (U/S), the above instructions should be followed in combination.
U/S Triplex Abdominal Aortic, Triplex Mesenteric Vessel and Renal Artery Triplex
The day before the test, the following types of food and drink should be avoided:
- Legumes
- Dairy products
- Fruits and vegetables
- Carbonated drinks
An 8-hour fast is required on the day of the test.
Ultrasound (U/S) of mesenteric - paravertebral (Infants- Children)
Up to 6 months of age: A 3-hour fast is required for the day of the test. If a meal is required, chamomile rather than milk is preferred. Renal Artery Triplex
From 6 months to 5 years: On the day before the test, avoid eating legumes, vegetables and fruits. For the day of the test, avoid dairy products and fast for 4 hours before the test.
From 6 years and over: the day before the test avoid eating legumes, vegetables and fruit. For the day of the test, dairy products are avoided and a 6-hour fast is required before the test.
- Ultrasound (U/S) of the appendix (Infant-Pediatric)
- Up to 3 months: On the day of the examination, a 3-hour fast is required before the examination.
- From 3 months to 6 years: On the day of the examination, a 4-hour fast is required before the examination.
- From 6 years and older: On the day of the examination, a 6-hour fast is required before the examination.
- Ultrasound (U/S) of the Gastroesophageal Reflux (Infant-Pediatric)
- Infants: In order to carry out the examination, the infant must have been fed at least 3 hours earlier.
- Up to 2 years: Parents should bring sugared chamomile or Milupa-type chamomile with them to the test.
- From 2 years and older: Parents should bring water or juice (pear or apple) with them for the examination.
Computed Tomography
Intravenous administration of contrast agent or ingestion of a contrast agent may be necessary depending on the area to be examined. If you are taking any medication, you can take it as usual on the day of the test.
- Upper and/or lower abdomen CT
- Upper abdomen: The preparation includes 1 glass of water and taking a contrast agent and takes place inside the Polyclinic. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled appointment to receive the preparation.
- Lower abdomen: The preparation includes 3 glasses of water and taking gastrografin and takes place inside the Polyclinic. Please arrive 2 hours before your scheduled appointment to receive the preparation. Specifically:
- About 2 hours before your appointment you should drink 1 cap of gastrografin diluted in 1 glass of water. Immediately afterwards you urinate (no further urination follows until the X-ray is performed).
- Half an hour later drink another 1 cap of gastrografin, diluted in 1 glass of water.
- After half an hour drink again 1 cap of gastrografin, diluted in 1 glass of water.
- In total you will have consumed 3 glasses of water with gastrografin (1 cap) in each glass and you will be waiting for the test to take place.
If there are previous same exams (or any exam related to the reason for having the new x-ray), please bring them with you during the exam.
- Axial pyelography
If you are taking Glucophage or Norme L (Metformin), you should stop taking it 2 days before the examination, after contacting your attending physician. Make sure your kidney function is good.
Caution: There should be no allergy to iodine.
- CT coronary angiography
If you are taking Glucophage or Norme L (Metformin), you should stop taking it 2 days before the test, after contacting your attending physician.
For the day of the examination, a total fasting of 2 hours before its performance and avoiding coffee or tea on the same morning is required.
Magnetic resonance
For maximum security you will be asked to fill in a short questionnaire before the examination. In some cases, such as when wearing a pacemaker, you will need to contact your treating physician to find out about the type of material. Intravenous administration of contrast agent or ingestion of a contrast agent may be necessary depending on the area to be examined. If you are taking any medication, you can take it as usual on the day of the test.
Functional MRI
On the day of the exam, it is recommended that you arrive at the Polyclinic 1 hour before your scheduled appointment and avoid coffee and alcohol on the day of the exam. The last meal before the examination should be at least 3 hours earlier (not less than 3 hours).
To receive painkillers you should first contact your attending physician.