The branch of science that examines the chemical substances in the structure of living things in the form of humans, animals, plants and microorganisms and the chemical processes that continue throughout the life of the living thing is called biochemistry. Medical biochemistry, on the other hand, is the branch of science in which various tissues, secretions and fluids of the body are examined at the level of molecular structure in order to diagnose diseases, examine disease processes and distinguish them from each other.
In order to diagnose the disease in the clinical setting, the data obtained and the results of biochemical analyzes should be evaluated with a holistic system. In this context, negative or positive results obtained in the medical biochemistry laboratory can be guiding, supportive or pioneering in the diagnosis process of the disease. Thus, the clinical findings and the findings of the biochemical analysis results are considered as an integrated event beyond complementing each other.
Medical biochemistry plays a complementary role in the recognition process of diseases. In addition, it is extremely important in terms of preventive medicine. The findings obtained as a result of the medical biochemical examination of people before they experience the symptoms of the disease help to detect diseases that may occur in the future. In the medical biochemistry laboratory, many tests are applied in addition to the routine tests performed in the diagnosis and treatment processes of various diseases.
Major Tests Applied in the Department of Medical Biochemistry
Hereditary Cancer Genetic Screenings: Cancer is a genetically based disease that results from some changes in genes. Gene changes are mostly caused by changes in a person's gene structure throughout his life. In other words, it can be said that it is acquired for gene changes. Very few types of cancer are inherited. Since acquired or inherited changes in the gene structure of the person disrupt processes such as proliferation, differentiation or death of the cell mechanism, it causes the cells to begin to multiply uncontrollably, thus causing cancer.
Thanks to the hereditary cancer genetic screening panel, the PAL, NBN, MUTYH, MSH6, MSH2, MLH1, MEN1, MET, EPCAM, CHEK2, CDH1, CDK4, BRCA2, BRIP1, BMPR1A, BRCA1, ATM and APC genes in the blood are screened and the person is diagnosed with cancer. It can be determined whether it carries mutations that may be associated with it. Especially in women, the risks in the family of patients with breast cancer and ovarian cancer can be specifically evaluated with BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Analysis.
Hereditary cancer genetic screening test is not recommended to be done voluntarily. However, if there is a first-degree relative diagnosed with cancer, if there are two or more relatives diagnosed with cancer in the family, if the same cancer type is observed in different members of the family, if there is more than one type of cancer in the same individual in the family, or if a family member under the age of 50 is diagnosed with cancer, an oncologist must be consulted. or a medical geneticist should be consulted. The necessary test requests are made by the doctor by taking a detailed history of the family, and the person is informed in detail about the relevant tests and the results.
Antibody Detection for Immunotherapy Treatment: Immunotherapy is one of the latest developments in cancer. Basically, one of these treatments, which aims to use the person's own immune system for his own treatment, is "Racotumomab". Racotumomab is recognized as an antibody vaccine against N-Glycol GM3 Ganglioside, an antigen found on the outer surface of the lung cancer cell. The medical biochemistry department examines the Racotumomab IgG and Racotumomab IgM tests to measure the success of treatment in patients receiving this vaccine.
Tumor Markers: It is the test of protein, enzyme, antigen and hormone structures that are monitored in the blood and followed in the case of cancer screening, diagnosis, classification, evaluation of progression and treatment success, and recurrence. The main tumor markers are:
    Nuclear Matrix Protein (NMP-22): It is used for the diagnosis of bladder cancer.
    Calcitonin: It is used for the diagnosis of thyroid cancers.
    Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP): It is used to monitor the diagnosis and treatment of testicular tumors and liver cancer.
    Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG): It is used in the diagnosis and treatment of testicular tumors and trophoblastic tumors.
    CA 19-9: Tumor marker related to pancreatic and intestinal cancers.
    CA 72-4: It is a tumor marker related to bowel and stomach cancers.
    Human Epididymis Protein (HE4) and CA 125: Tumor markers related to ovarian and uterine cancers.
    Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA): It is used in the diagnosis, staging and follow-up of treatment of intestinal, stomach and pancreatic cancers.
    Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA): It is used in the screening, diagnosis, staging and treatment of prostate cancer.
Biochemistry – Electrolyte Test Groups

• Fasting and postprandial blood sugar
• LOWER,
• GGT,
• LDH,
• Glucose tolerance tests,
• HDL and LDL cholesterol,
• triglyceride,
• total cholesterol,
• cholinesterase,
• CK-MB,
• Creatine kinase (CK),
• Calcium,
• Magnesium,
• Uric acid,
• C-reactive protein (CRP),
• iron binding capacity,
• Total and direct bilirubin,
• Sodium, potassium, chlorine, lithium, iron etc.
  Hormone – Serology Test Groups
• TSH,
• Free T3 and Free T4,
• prolactin,
• insulin,
• HCG,
• cortisol,
• HOMA-IR,
• Troponin I,
• ACTH,
• HBsAg,
• anti HIV,
• Anti HCV,
• parathormone,
• Vitamin B12,
• BNP,
• ferritin,
• homocysteine,
• procalcitonin,
• progesterone,
• Testosterone etc.
  Neuroinflammatory Panel
• Anti Nuclear Antibody,
• Anti NMDA Antibody,
• Anti AMPA Antibody,
• ENA Profile.
  Hematology
• Sedimentation,
• Complete blood count.
  coagulation
• Fibrinogen,
• D-Dimer,
• APTT,
• PT
  Urine and Stool Analysis
• 24-hour urine analysis (total protein, creatinine clearance),
• stool microscopy,
• Hidden blood in stool
• Fecal parasite examination,
• Routine urinalysis.
  Toxicology Analysis
• Advanced toxicology and confirmation analysis,
• Emergency toxicology test.
  Drug Levels
• Drug blood level measurement (TDM)
  What Diseases Does Medical Biochemistry Treat?
  The medical biochemist is responsible for evaluating, reporting, and validating patient test results and ensuring that inappropriate tests are repeated. In addition, it has the duty to carry out laboratory tests of sample fluids taken from blood, urine and other intra-body cavities by manual methods, and to consult with other doctors and team members about the test results of the patient.