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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HbA1c test

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

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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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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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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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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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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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Cholesterol and lipid tests

Read about cholesterol (or lipid profile) blood tests, which look at cholesterol and other fats in your blood, and what the 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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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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Calcium blood test

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

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Liver function tests

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

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Full blood count (FBC)

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

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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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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.

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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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Oestrogen blood test

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

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Testosterone blood test

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

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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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International normalised ratio (INR) test

The international normalised ratio (INR) test is a measure of the time taken for your blood to clot. Find out more about this test and what it means.

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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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Guide to blood testing

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

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Blood tests A-Z

From the fasting blood glucose test to the prostate (PSA) test, there are many kinds of blood tests. Browse the index and learn how to prepare for your test.

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hCG levels

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that is found in your urine and blood when you're pregnant. Find out more about hCG here.

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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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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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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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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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