Blood tests A-Z

12-minute read

Blood tests can be used to assess your health, as well as help your doctor diagnose or monitor a range of conditions. See this blood testing guide for general information and to understand what’s involved. You can also learn about specific types of blood tests below.

Blood glucose test

Blood glucose tests, also sometimes called blood sugar tests, are usually used to check for or monitor diabetes.

Calcium blood test

A calcium test provides information about how much calcium is in your blood.

Cholesterol and lipid tests

A cholesterol (or lipid profile) test looks at the various levels of cholesterol and other fats in your blood.

C-reactive protein (CRP) blood test

The C-reactive protein test is a general blood test, which checks for infection or inflammation in the body.

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 means for you.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test checks for inflammation where red blood cells clump together in the body.

Folate test

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

Full blood count

A full blood count is a common blood test for general health, which can also provide information about a range of conditions.

HbA1c test

An HbA1c is a type of blood test which is used to help diagnose and monitor people with diabetes.

hCG test

The human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) test is usually used to confirm or monitor a pregnancy.

International normalised ratio (INR) test

An international normalised ratio (INR) test measures the time taken for your blood to clot.

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 problems.

Kidney function tests

There are many reasons why your kidneys may not work effectively. Learn how kidney function tests can help your doctor check up on your kidneys.

Liver function tests

Liver function tests are blood tests that can provide information about how your liver is working.

Magnesium blood test

A magnesium blood test is carried out to see if your body has enough magnesium. Most people get sufficient magnesium from food.

Oestrogen blood test

Many women at some time have a blood test for oestrogen. It might be during pregnancy, if their menstrual cycle is unusual, or for some other reason.

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) test

A PSA test can be used to help monitor prostate cancer, although test outcomes often point to other conditions.

Testosterone blood test

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

Thyroid function tests

Thyroid function tests are used to check for a number of thyroid problems. The tests usually include thyroid stimulating hormones (THSs) T4 and T3.

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.

Vitamin B12 test

This test measures the amount of vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, in your blood.

Vitamin D test

Vitamin D deficiency is common in Australians, so your doctor may ask you to take a test as part of your general check up.

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