Clinical Analyses

Helicobacter pylori, urease test, gastric biopsy

Aspartate aminotransferase, C-reactive protein (CRP), alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, GGT, prothrombin time

Microalbuminuria, glomerular filtration rate, creatinine clearance, aldosterone, kidney stone screening

Fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin, lipid profile, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), lipoprotein

Rheumatoid factor, ANA, anti-CCP, anti-TPO, transglutaminase, encephalitis, allergy testing, IgE, lactose intolerance, breath test for intolerance

Beta HCG, biochemical screening, pregnancy immunological test, genetic test, paternity test, prenatal diagnosis, genotyping

DHEA, progesterone, FSH, LH, cortisol, SHBG, somatostatin, beta-estradiol

PSA (prostate), CA 125 (ovary), CA 15-3 (breast), CA 19-9 (pancreas and gastrointestinal tract), CEA (colon and other tumors), alpha-fetoprotein (liver and testis)

HIV, HPV, hepatitis, herpes simplex, Borrelia, and Mycoplasma

TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), free T4, free and reverse T3, anti-thyroglobulin, anti-thyroid antibodies, anti-TPO.

Clinical analyses at Joaquim Chaves Saúde are carried out on a first-come, first-served basis, with no prior appointment required. However, in some units, appointments are available.

To book online: visit the JCS website, select the option "Book Clinical Analyses," choose the preferred location and time, and fill in your details. You will receive a confirmation by email and, on the day before your appointment, you will be contacted with preparation instructions.

You can also book via the JCS app: from the menu, select “Analyses and Laboratory > Clinical Analysis Units,” search for the desired test, and check whether prior booking is required under the "Recommendations" or "Collection Instructions" section.

Collection hours vary depending on the Clinical Analysis Unit. To check the hours of the unit closest to you: on the JCS website, go to Clinical Analysis Units and use the filters to find your preferred location.

On the map, you will have access to collection hours, address, and contact details. You can also find this information in the JCS app, in the "Units" section.

We have units with Saturday collections. Please check availability in the online locator.

Joaquim Chaves Saúde has a wide network of clinical analysis units. To find the nearest one, use the Clinical Analysis Unit locator on the website or the JCS app, in the "Units" section.

Please note: not all tests can be performed at every unit. Some require sample collection exclusively at the central laboratory.

To confirm, search for the desired test and check the "Collection Instructions" field. If in doubt, contact us at +351 214 124 300.

Yes, it is possible to carry out some simple tests without a medical prescription. However, without a prescription, the procedure will not be covered by your health insurance or the National Health Service (SNS), and you will therefore need to pay privately. You will also be required to sign an informed consent form.

For tests covered by the SNS or by insurance (such as ADSE), a valid medical prescription is required. The validity of the prescription may vary — check with your doctor or contact us to clarify any questions regarding your specific prescription.

Coverage for clinical analyses depends on your health insurance plan and the conditions of reimbursement by the National Health Service (SNS) or by ADSE.

We recommend that you check your insurance conditions in advance or contact our customer service at +351 214 124 300, where we can clarify your questions and help you understand which tests are covered.

For most blood tests, a minimum fasting period of 8 hours is recommended. For lipid tests (cholesterol, triglycerides, among others), 12 hours is ideal. Fasting helps prevent variations that may interfere with the results.

For urine tests, fasting is generally not required. The first urine of the morning is usually preferred, as it is more concentrated. Fasting is also not necessary for stool tests, and samples can be collected at any time of the day.

To find out whether your specific test requires fasting, check the “Preparation for collection” and “Recommendations” sections when searching for your test.

Yes, you may drink water in moderate amounts before your tests, even while fasting. Proper hydration makes blood collection easier.

Coffee, juices, milk, and sugary drinks are not allowed, as they may interfere with the results. Alcohol should also be avoided in the 24 hours prior to sample collection.

It is not recommended to consume alcohol before undergoing clinical tests, especially in the 24 hours prior to sample collection. Alcohol can alter various laboratory parameters, including liver function tests, blood glucose, triglycerides, and certain blood markers, potentially affecting the results.

It is also advisable to avoid smoking before tests, particularly in the 4 hours leading up to sample collection. Tobacco can interfere with certain parameters, such as hormones, glucose, inflammatory markers, and cardiovascular tests.

If you are fasting for blood tests, you should avoid:

- Alcoholic beverages
- Tobacco
- Chewing gum or similar products
- Coffee or any beverages other than water

If you have any doubts about the specific preparation for your test, consult the instructions provided by the clinical team or contact us before sample collection.

Each test may require different preparations, such as fasting, a special diet, or temporarily stopping medication.

Check the “Preparation for collection” and “Recommendations” sections when searching for your test or in the JCS app.

If you have an appointment, you will also receive the relevant instructions the day before.

Yes, some medications may influence laboratory results. Aspirin, for example, can affect coagulation parameters.

Antibiotics may alter microbiological cultures, and certain vitamins (such as vitamin C) can interfere with specific tests.

As a general rule, you should not stop your regular medication without medical advice. If in doubt, contact your doctor or the JCS team.

Note: You should also avoid intense physical exercise on the day before, as it may affect some blood parameters.

Yes, in most cases. However, menstruation may affect urine tests and some hormonal tests.

If you have any doubts, inform the team at the time of sample collection or consult your doctor.

Yes, but active infections or inflammation may affect some results, particularly inflammatory markers such as CRP (C-reactive protein) and the complete blood count.

If the tests are routine, it may be preferable to wait until recovery.

In urgent situations or when an infection is suspected, tests remain indicated.

Blood collection is a simple and quick procedure, carried out by healthcare professionals under conditions of safety, comfort, and privacy.

Blood is usually drawn from a vein in the inside of the elbow, using a sterile needle and tubes specifically designed for analysis. Before the puncture, a tourniquet is applied to the arm to make the vein easier to locate, and the area is properly disinfected.

The preferred arm for collection is generally the non-dominant one (for example, the left arm for right-handed individuals), as it is more comfortable after the procedure.

However, the final choice depends on the healthcare professional’s assessment, who will select the arm with the most accessible and suitable veins to ensure an effective and complication-free collection.

After the procedure, a dressing is applied to the puncture site, and it is recommended to apply pressure for a few seconds and avoid intense physical effort with the arm used in the following hours.

For most urine tests, you should collect the first urine of the morning in a sterile container (available at our units). Clean the genital area before collection, discard the first stream of urine, and collect the midstream urine (midstream collection).

The sample should be delivered within 2 hours after collection and kept in a cool place (between 2°C and 8°C). Samples older than 2 hours may produce altered results.

For 24-hour urine collection, a specific container will be provided along with detailed instructions.

Sample collection should be carried out using the kit provided by the laboratory — always use the sterile container indicated for this purpose. Place a small amount of stool in the container (usually about one-third full), avoiding contact with urine or toilet water. Close the container securely and label it with your name and date.

The sample should preferably be delivered on the same day as collection, but for most tests it can be stored in a refrigerator (between 2°C and 8°C) for up to 24 hours. For some specific tests (such as parasite examination), the timeframe may be shorter — follow the instructions provided.

Fasting is not required for stool collection, unless otherwise indicated by your doctor.

Yes, Joaquim Chaves Saúde offers home sample collection services.

For more information about availability, coverage areas, and costs, please contact us at +351 214 124 300.

The urinalysis (or urine type II) is a test that evaluates the physical and chemical characteristics, as well as the urinary sediment — detecting, for example, the presence of white blood cells, red blood cells, proteins, glucose, and bacteria. It is useful for screening urinary infections and other conditions, particularly kidney-related diseases.

A urine culture (with AST — antibiotic susceptibility testing) specifically identifies the microorganism causing the infection and indicates which antibiotics are effective. It is the test of choice when there is a suspicion of bacterial urinary infection.

If you experience burning during urination, urinary urgency, or other symptoms of infection, your doctor will usually request a urine culture with AST.

A stool analysis can detect bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections of the gastrointestinal tract, inflammatory bowel diseases (through calprotectin), occult bleeding in the digestive tract (fecal occult blood test — used in colorectal cancer screening), fat malabsorption (steatorrhea), among other conditions.

A stool culture is a specific microbiological test that identifies pathogenic bacteria in stool (such as Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter) and, when relevant, indicates which antibiotics are effective.

The common “stool test” (parasitological examination) mainly detects parasites and their eggs.

In most routine cases, results are available on the same day, within a few hours.

However, turnaround time varies depending on the type of test. To check the specific turnaround time, search for the test on the website or the JCS app — the “Turnaround time (business days)” field indicates the maximum timeframe. In some cases, results may be available earlier than the maximum time indicated.

Once the results are ready, you will be able to access them in your JCS Personal Area and will receive an email notification (if you opted for this at the time of sample collection).

Results are available in your JCS Personal Area (website and app), where you can view, download, and print them. To have full access to the Personal Area, you must validate your account in person at one of our Medical Clinics or through the digital mobile key.

If you prefer to receive your results by email, inform our staff on the day of the sample collection — you will be asked to confirm your email address.

For in-person collection: results are delivered to the patient upon presentation of the collection receipt and a photo ID. They may also be collected by a third party if they present their own identification and the collection receipt signed by the patient.

Each test report includes reference values for each parameter, making it possible to identify results above or below these ranges.

However, results should always be interpreted by your doctor, who will take into account the clinical context, symptoms, medication, and medical history.

A value outside the reference range does not necessarily mean disease — factors such as individual variation, time of collection, physical exertion, or hydration can influence some parameters.

Test results are provided to the patient upon presentation of the collection receipt and a photo ID.
They may also be collected by third parties, provided they present:

 - Their own identification document
 - The collection receipt signed by the patient

Results can also be made available digitally in the JCS Personal Area and sent by email, when authorized.

Yes. When your results are available, you will receive a notification by email, if you selected this option at the time of sample collection.

You can also check your results directly in your JCS Personal Area, via the website or app.