OLYMP Clinical Diagnostic Laboratories

Current offers

News

New! "Risk Instult" panel

Stroke is an acute disease characterised by a sudden disruption of blood circulation in the brain. Therefore, early risk identification allows you to take the necessary steps to reduce the likelihood of developing a stroke and improve your quality of life.

 

The following panels are available for testing:

"Stroke Risk, Basic" panel

  • CBC
  • Total cholesterol
  • HDL-cholesterol
  • LDL cholesterol
  • Atherogenicity index
  • Glycosylated haemoglobin
  • C-Reactive protein cardio

"Stroke Risk, Complete" panel

  • CBC
  • total cholesterol
  • HDL-cholesterol
  • LDL cholesterol
  • Atherogenicity index
  • Glycosylated haemoglobin
  • C-Reactive protein cardio
  • Homocysteine
  • Coagulogram Profile (Haemostasis)

"Stroke Risk, Advanced" panel

  • CBC
  • total cholesterol
  • HDL-cholesterol
  • LDL cholesterol
  • Atherogenicity index
  • Glycosylated haemoglobin
  • C-Reactive protein cardio
  • Homocysteine
  • Coagulogram Profile (Haemostasis)
  • D-dimer
  • Lipoprotein (a)

 

Who is recommended to take the "Stroke Risk" panel?

 

This panel is relevant for:

  • Patients with high blood pressure;
  • Patients who are overweight or obese;
  • Patients with diabetes mellitus or prediabetes.
  • Patients with a history of thrombotic episodes;
  • People with unhealthy habits (smoking);
  • People with a family history of cardiovascular disease;
  • People with sedentary lifestyles and constant stress;
  • People who want to have a preventive check-up
20 March 2025

Work schedule of procedure rooms for March 21-24

20 March 2025

Working hours of treatment rooms for the International Women’s Day

7 March 2025
All news

Articles

All articles
Histological examination: modern diagnostic methods

Histological examination is an analysis of cells and tissues of the body that helps to detect diseases, including cancer. The main purpose is to understand if there are signs of pathology in the sample

Histological examination determines:

  • The presence of tumour cells in the sample
  • The nature of the tumour (benign or malignant).
  • Stage and type of tumour
Why Is Early Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis So Important?

Relevance of the problem of rheumatoid arthritis 

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease when the immune system attacks its own body, resulting in damage to various organ systems. Structural damage to the joints occurs more frequently, resulting in stiffness, soreness, swelling or redness, usually of symmetrical distribution (e.g., both hands or both feet). 

WHO estimates that as of 2019, about 18 million people worldwide suffered from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the number of patients with the disease is only increasing each year.

Why should early diagnosis of RA be done?

The main feature of RA is that the prognosis of the disease largely depends on the time of diagnosis.

In case of untimely diagnosis in the course of time from the onset of the disease, the majority of patients suffering from RA, lose the ability to work, have a pronounced pain syndrome and a tendency to chronicity.

RA is a vivid example of a disease in which the long-term prognosis is largely determined by the timeliness of diagnosis and the start of treatment. Early detection allows slowing the progression of joint lesions, preventing structural changes and preserving the patient's functional activity for a long time.

What methods are used for early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis?

In addition to joint inflammation, RA results in the production of specific markers such as rheumatoid factor (RF) and antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide (ACCP), which are important diagnostic tools.

Today, different isotypes to rheumatoid factor (RF), IgM, IgG and IgA are distinguished. But for a long time, clinical laboratories have been measuring classical rheumatoid factor as IgM antibodies. It has been shown that the sensitivity of RF IgM to RA varies from 55% to 90%, with the prognostic value of a positive result being about 30%, which is certainly not optimal.

Further study of RF immunoassays to IgG and IgA has significantly improved the diagnostic specificity (accuracy) of the test. Moreover, it has been reported that co-determination of RF IgA together with RF IgM precedes the development of RA several years earlier. RF IgG has also been shown to have a higher specificity for RA. And, during routine diagnosis, the presence of all three RF isotypes provided a specificity of up to 96%.

Of course, the main diagnostic criterion for RA remains the determination of antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide (ACCP). And according to recent studies of RA diagnosis, it has been suggested that the combination of RF IgM, IgA, IgG and ACCP has a specificity for RA close to 100%.

This combination of tests for ACCP and RF IgM, IgA, IgG can lead to early diagnosis of RA, even before clinical symptoms appear. For those who are very likely to have or develop RA, early diagnosis can change the outcome, as early treatment of RA has significant benefits for the overall result.

Finally, it should be emphasized that patients who have early diagnosis of RA have a higher "quality of life" and functional status throughout the whole period

Celiac Disease by the Numbers

Celiac disease (gluten enteropathy) is a chronic disease of autoimmune genesis caused by eating gluten, which carries HLA-DQ2 and/or -DQ8 alleles, therefore this disease can be transmitted genetically.

When the body is intolerant to gluten, there is a specific lesion of the walls of the small intestine, leading to atrophy of its villi, which is characterized by symptoms such as abdominal bloating, vomiting, weight loss. It is important to note that in most cases celiac disease can proceed without intestinal manifestations, and for this reason 1 out of 4 patients remained without a confirmed diagnosis. However, since the identification of specific markers of celiac disease, the presence of antibodies against tissue transglutaminase and deaminated gliadin peptides, the prevalence of celiac disease has been much higher than anticipated. According to the WHO, the global prevalence of gluten intolerance is 1% of the world's population.

Diagnosis of Celiac Disease Without Biopsy

Until 2012, a biopsy of the small intestine, followed by confirmation of intestinal wall atrophy, was a mandatory requirement for the diagnosis of celiac disease. However, according to recent controversial guidelines, the diagnosis can be made without biopsy in certain circumstances, especially in children. 

Over the past decade, the unambiguity of histological analysis has been questioned and a strong correlation between levels of tissue transglutaminase antibody titer and the severity of mucosal lesions has been recognized.

In 2012, the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) published new diagnostic criteria for celiac disease that allows the diagnosis of celiac disease without biopsy with symptoms and levels of immunoglobulin A against tissue transglutaminase which is 10 or more times the upper limit of normal.

Evidence in favor of this approach has been largely based on small studies.

The results of the ProCeDE diagnostic study show that the non-biopsy ESPGHAN approach allows a correct diagnosis of celiac disease. At least 50% of patients in clinical practice will benefit from this non-biopsy approach, which reduces the burden and risks of endoscopy for small bowel biopsy and anesthesia, while saving costs for health care systems.

Based on the results, it can be concluded that the new ESPGHAN diagnostic criteria for skipping biopsy allow a correct diagnosis of celiac disease in symptomatic children if tissue transglutaminase IgA levels are 10 or more times the upper normal limit, and therefore biopsy is not necessary in these children.

Non-HDL Cholesterol: New Perspective on Cardiovascular Risk

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide, and the lipid profile, particularly cholesterol levels, plays a key role in its development. For many years, the emphasis has been on determining total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). However, in recent years, increasing attention has been paid to non-HDL cholesterol, a new but promising indicator.

What is non-HDL cholesterol and how does it differ from other indicators?

Non-HDL cholesterol is a calculated parameter that reflects the total cholesterol content of all blood lipoproteins except HDL. It includes cholesterol found in LDL, intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). Unlike the traditional LDL assessment, non-HDL cholesterol more fully reflects the atherogenic potential (ability to form plaques) of lipids.

Why is non-HDL cholesterol important?

  • More complete risk assessment: Studies show that non-HDL cholesterol may be a more accurate predictor of CVD risk than LDL, especially in patients with elevated triglyceride levels. This is because it takes into account atherogenic particles that LDL does not cover.
  • Convenience of calculation: No additional tests are required to determine the level of non-HDL cholesterol. It is calculated by simply subtracting the HDL level from the total cholesterol level.
  • Fewer limitations: In some cases, LDL levels may be difficult or unreliable to measure, while non-HDL cholesterol remains a reliable indicator.

Studies supporting the significance of non-LDL cholesterol:

Multiple scientific papers support the significance of non-HDL cholesterol in assessing CVD risk due to its:

  • Prognostic value: Studies have shown that high levels of non-HDL cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and other cardiovascular events.
  • Relationship to atherosclerosis: Non-HDL cholesterol is involved in the development of atherosclerosis because the atherogenic particles it comprises readily penetrate the vessel walls and form plaques.
  • Efficacy in treatment monitoring: Studies demonstrate that lowering non-HDL cholesterol levels as a result of hypolipidemic therapy correlates with a reduced risk of cardiovascular events.

Clinical application:

An increasing number of clinical guidelines now recommend the use of non-HDL cholesterol in addition to traditional measures of lipid profile, especially in patients with:

  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • High triglyceride levels
  • Family history of early CVD.

How to interpret non-HDL cholesterol values?

Recommended non-HDL cholesterol values depend on the patient's overall cardiovascular risk:

  • Low and moderate risk: Desirable level < 3.8 mmol/L
  • High risk: Desirable level < 2.6 mmol/L
  • Very high risk: Desirable level < 2.2 mmol/L

Conclusion:

Non-HDL cholesterol is a promising marker of cardiovascular risk that complements traditional lipid profile indices. Its use allows for more accurate risk stratification, especially in patients with CVD risk factors, and effective monitoring of hypolipidemic therapy. Further studies continue to investigate its role in the development of CVDs, but it can already be said that non-HDL cholesterol deserves the attention of physicians and patients concerned about their heart health.

Important: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for consulting a physician. Please consult a qualified specialist for diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Cholesterol under the Christmas tree: how to keep the holidays from "loading" your blood vessels

New Year is a time of magic, joy and, of course, lavish feasts. We immerse ourselves in the festive atmosphere with pleasure, enjoying delicious food and drinks. But, no matter how beautiful these days are, they can be a real challenge for our body. This is especially true for lipid metabolism. Let's find out why New Year holidays can have a negative impact on fat metabolism and how to minimise the risks.

New Year's "paradox": holiday for stomach, stress for blood vessels

New Year's feasts are usually characterised by an abundance of fatty, fried, smoked and sweet dishes. These are just some of the factors that contribute to an increase in bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides:

  • Overeating: During the holidays, we often eat more than usual, which leads to excess calories and higher blood fat levels.
  • Fatty foods: Traditional New Year's Eve foods such as mayonnaise salads, fried meats and cakes are rich in saturated fats, which contribute to LDL levels.
  • Abundance of sweets: Candies, biscuits, cakes and other sweets are high in sugar, which is converted into triglycerides in the body, which also has an adverse effect on cholesterol.
  • Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption, especially hard alcohol, can increase triglyceride levels and, consequently, total cholesterol.
  • Reduced physical activity: During the holidays, we often sit more than we move, which slows down metabolism and contributes to fat storage.

How can holidays affect your cholesterol levels?

As a result of the festive "feast", the level of "bad" cholesterol (LDL) may increase and the level of "good" cholesterol (HDL) may decrease. This, in turn, increases the risk of atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart attacks and strokes.

How do you protect yourself and your cholesterol over the holidays?

Of course, no one is urging you to give up the festive mood and your favourite dishes. However, a moderate approach and some tricks will help you minimise the negative impact of the holidays on cholesterol levels:

  • Don't overeat: Try to eat moderate portions and be mindful of feeling full.
  • Choose the "right" fats: Favour dishes cooked with olive oil or grilled rather than deep-fried.
  • Increase your fibre intake: Add more vegetables, fruit and wholemeal bread to your holiday menu. Fibre helps lower cholesterol levels.
  • Limit sweets: Enjoy desserts moderately, favouring natural sweets such as fruit.
  • Moderate alcohol: Don't overindulge in alcohol, especially hard alcohol. Choose lighter drinks and consume them in reasonable quantities.
  • Keep moving: Despite the holidays, make time for walking, dancing or other physical activity.
  • Keep taking your prescribed medications: If you are taking cholesterol-lowering medications, remember to take them during the holidays.

Post-holiday "detox"

After the holidays are over, don't forget:

  • Check lipid metabolism levels (lipidogram). If there is cause for concern, see your doctor;
  • Return to a healthy diet;
  • Exercise regularly.

In conclusion:

The New Year holidays are a wonderful time, but you shouldn't forget about your health. Moderation and a conscious approach to nutrition will help you enjoy the holidays without compromising your cholesterol and overall health. May the New Year bring you only health and joy!