Understanding pathology tests

Find out what pathology tests are used for, the different types of tests, why they are important, how to prepare for them and what the results mean.

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Paying for diagnostic testing

Diagnostic tests, such as pathology tests and imaging scans, can be expensive. Learn more here about the costs and what Medicare covers.

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Tests used in diagnosing dementia

Find out more about the tests doctors use to diagnose dementia. Learn about physical and neurological examinations, cognitive tests, x-rays and scans.

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Troponin blood test

Troponin blood tests can help work out if your heart muscle is damaged due to a heart attack. Read about troponin blood tests and when they are used.

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Full blood count (FBC)

A full blood count checks red and white blood cells and platelets to detect infections, anaemia and clotting problems and more.

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Liver function tests

Liver function tests are blood tests that check how well your liver is working. Find out what LFTs measure and what your results may mean.

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HbA1c test

Find out about the HbA1c test - a blood test used to help diagnose diabetes and monitor blood sugar control in people with diabetes.

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D-dimer test

The D-dimer test is a blood test that checks for, or monitors, blood-clotting problems. Find out what a positive result might mean for you.

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Magnesium blood test

A magnesium blood test checks your magnesium levels. Find out how to prepare for a magnesium blood test and what your results may mean.

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Guide to blood testing

Find out all about blood tests, including where to get a blood test, what happens when you have a blood test and how long it takes.

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Lumbar puncture

Lumbar puncture involves putting a needle into the lower back to diagnose and sometimes treat problems of the brain and spinal cord.

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Prostate specific antigen (PSA) test

A prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test can be used to test for prostate cancer. It can also be used to monitor prostate cancer.

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Oestrogen blood test

Oestrogen blood tests help understand your hormone balance. Read more if you are planning pregnancy, are pregnant or your menstrual cycle is irregular.

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Testosterone blood test

A testosterone blood test can show how much of the sex hormone testosterone is in your body. Males usually have more testosterone than females.

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Thyroid function tests

A thyroid function blood test is used to check your thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3) blood levels.

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Blood glucose test

Blood glucose tests (blood sugar tests) are used to diagnose and monitor diabetes. Find out how to prepare for this test and what your results mean.

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Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) blood test

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a blood test that can check for inflammation in your body. Find out more about ESR blood tests here.

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Calcium blood test

A calcium test indicates how much calcium is in your blood. Find out how this test helps doctors diagnose, monitor or treat your illness.

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Folate blood test

Folate is an important nutrient for making red blood cells. The folate blood test checks whether you have enough folate in your blood.

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Cholesterol and lipid tests

Learn about fats and cholesterol in your blood (lipid profile), including their purpose and what a high or low result means.

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Vitamin B12 test

Find out why you might need a Vitamin B12 blood test. Vitamin B12 is also called cobalamin or VitB12. Vitamin B12 can be low in vegetarians.

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hCG test

The human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) test is usually used to confirm or monitor a pregnancy. It can be a blood or a urine test. Learn more here.

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International normalised ratio (INR) test

The international normalised ratio (INR) is a blood test that checks how long your blood takes to clot. Learn how it works and what your results mean.

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Vitamin D test

Vitamin D is important for bone health. A vitamin D blood test checks the level of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D in your blood. Find out more here.

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C-reactive protein (CRP) blood test

The C-reactive protein (CRP) test is a blood test that checks for inflammation in the body. Find out when it may be done and what your results mean.

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Iron studies blood test

Iron studies are blood tests that look at how much iron is in your blood and other cells. Too little or too much iron can cause health problems.

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Transbronchial biopsy

A transbronchial biopsy is usually a safe and effective way of finding out if there is a problem in your lungs.

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Biopsy

A biopsy helps your doctor diagnose a medical condition. Find out more about what they are, different types of biopsies, and why you need a biopsy.

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Urine tests

Urine tests are used for many different reasons. They can diagnose conditions, such as pregnancy, infections, diseases and screen for drug use.

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Endometrial biopsy

An endometrial biopsy is usually a safe and effective way of finding out if there is a problem with the lining of your womb.

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