Search common pathology tests explained in plain English. Tap a test to see what it measures, why your GP ordered it, and what results mean.
Longer explainers on individual tests, scans and diagnoses.
Blood and urine tests
What Is a Full Blood Count (FBC)? · What Is HbA1c? · What Is eGFR? Your Result Explained · What Is a Cholesterol Blood Test? · What Is a TSH Test? · What Are Liver Function Tests (LFTs)? · What Is a CRP Test? · What Is a Vitamin D Test? · What Is a Vitamin B12 Test? · What Is a Uric Acid Test? · What Is CK (Creatine Kinase)? · What Is a PSA Test? · GTT
Heart and vascular tests
What Is an Exercise Stress Test (Treadmill ECG)? · What Is an Echocardiogram (Heart Ultrasound)? · What Is a Holter Monitor? ECG Monitoring Explained · What Is a 24-Hour Blood Pressure Monitor? ABPM Explained · What Is an Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) Test? · What Is a Calcium Score (CAC Scan)?
Scans and screening
What Is a Bone Density Scan (DEXA)? · Pregnancy Ultrasound Scans · What to Expect at Your Scan · Cervical Screening Test (formerly Pap Smear)
What a diagnosis means
What Does a Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis Mean? · What Does High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Mean? · What Does a High Cholesterol Diagnosis Mean? · What Does CKD Stage 3 Mean? · What Does an Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Diagnosis Mean? · What Does an Osteoarthritis Diagnosis Mean?
Other
These are simplified explanations. For full clinical detail on any pathology test, see the authoritative sources:
ptex.au โ Pathology Tests Explained โ patient-friendly, from the RCPA
RCPA Pathology Manual โ clinical reference for health professionals