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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

Lumbar puncture

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

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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

Read more

Thyroid function tests

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

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

Transbronchial biopsy

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

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

Urine tests

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

Read more