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Tests & Pathology Explained

What your blood test results mean, how to prepare for common medical tests, and plain-English guides to every major investigation your GP might order.

📋 Individual pages reference RCPA Pathology Manual, MBS Online (mbsonline.gov.au), and RACGP clinical guidelines. Always follow your GP’s specific preparation instructions — they may differ from general guidance based on your clinical situation.
🇦🇺 Australia only
📋 How to prepare 🩸 Blood tests ❤️ Heart tests 🏥 Scans & imaging

How to prepare

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Do I Need to Fast for My Blood Test?
Yes/no fasting guide for 26 common tests — FBC, lipids, glucose, iron studies, HbA1c and more. Whether coffee counts. Whether you need to rebook.
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Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT / OGTT)
Fast overnight, arrive early, expect 2–3 hours at the lab. What happens step by step.
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24-Hour Urine Collection
Which void to flush, which to collect, storage, and the most common mistakes to avoid.
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All Other Tests — General Prep Guide
ECG, echocardiogram, stress test, Holter, ABPM, colonoscopy, sleep study, and more.
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What to Expect at Your Scan
X-ray, CT, MRI, or ultrasound — fasting rules, contrast dye, what to wear, and how long each scan takes.

Blood tests explained

Full Blood Count (FBC)
Red cells, white cells, platelets, haemoglobin. The most common blood test your GP orders.
Results explainedNo fasting
HbA1c
Your 3-month blood sugar average. Used to diagnose and monitor type 2 diabetes. No fasting needed.
Results explainedNo fasting
Cholesterol & Lipid Panel
LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. What each number means for your heart risk.
Results explainedFasting sometimes
TSH — Thyroid Test
The main test for thyroid function. What TSH measures and what high or low results mean.
Results explainedNo fasting
eGFR — Kidney Function
How well your kidneys are filtering your blood. What the number means and when GPs recheck it.
Results explainedNo fasting
Vitamin D
25-hydroxyvitamin D in nmol/L, what it checks, and when Medicare rebates it (item 66833).
Results explainedNo fasting
Vitamin B12 & Folate
Why B12 and folate are checked together, what they measure, and Australian units.
Results explainedNo fasting
CRP & ESR — Inflammation Markers
What these inflammation markers measure, the difference between them, and reporting units.
Results explainedNo fasting
Uric Acid (Urate)
The urate test, its link to gout, and why timing of the test matters.
Results explainedNo fasting
Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, albumin. What each marker measures and when they rise.
Results explainedNo fasting
PSA — Prostate Test
What PSA measures, what a high result means, and the Australian context for prostate cancer screening.
Results explainedPrep matters
Prostate Examination (DRE)
What a digital rectal examination involves, what it feels like, and current Australian guidance on when it's used.
What to expect
🔍 Search All Pathology Tests
FBC, UEC, LFT, TFT, HbA1c, iron studies, lipids, CRP, PSA and more — searchable plain-English guide.
All tests

Heart & vascular tests

Echocardiogram (Heart Ultrasound)
What it shows, what to expect, how long it takes, and Australian Medicare rebate information.
How to prepareNo fasting
Exercise Stress Test (Treadmill ECG)
Why GPs refer for a treadmill ECG, what happens during the test, and who can and cannot have one.
How to prepare
Holter Monitor (24–48hr ECG)
Ambulatory ECG monitoring for palpitations and irregular heartbeat. What to wear and avoid.
How to prepare
24-Hour Blood Pressure Monitor (ABPM)
How ambulatory BP monitoring works, what the numbers mean, and when GPs order it.
How to prepare
Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)
Peripheral arterial disease test done in clinic. What the numbers mean and who needs it.
Results explained
Calcium Score (CAC Scan)
Coronary artery calcium scoring — what the Agatston score means and why there is no Medicare rebate.
Results explained

Scans & imaging

X-ray, CT, MRI & Ultrasound
Fasting rules, contrast dye, what to wear, how long each scan takes. All scan types in one guide.
How to prepare
Bone Density Scan (DEXA)
How to prepare, who qualifies for a Medicare rebate, and what your T-score and Z-score mean.
How to prepareResults explained
Pregnancy Ultrasound
First trimester dating scan, morphology scan at 18–20 weeks — what each scan checks and when to book.
How to prepare
Related tools
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Fasting Blood Test Guide
Do I need to fast? Answer for 26 tests.
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Bowel Cancer Screening
NBCSP — who qualifies and how it works.
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DEXA Eligibility Checker
Do I qualify for a Medicare bone density scan?
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What Does High Cholesterol Mean?
Your result explained in plain English.