Tests & Investigations topics
Tests and Investigations A-K
Read our selection of articles about medical tests and investigations. Find out about diagnostic tests to help detect disease as well as screening tests to help keep you and your family healthy
Addison's disease: diagnosis
A diagnosis of Addison`s disease is made by biochemical laboratory tests. The aim of these tests is first to determine whether there are insufficient levels of cortisol and then to establish the cause.
Allergy blood tests
Allergy blood tests can be used to determine if you are having an allergic reaction, and what you are allergic to.
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) tests in pregnancy
An alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test is a blood test that can show whether your fetus has signs of some birth defects, in particular, spina bifida (a type of neural tube defect).
Amniocentesis
Amniocentesis is a test that is used in pregnancy to detect certain abnormalities in babies.
Amniocentesis: what you need to know
Amniocentesis is a test that can be done in pregnancy. It is possible to tell from the test whether a fetus has certain birth defects.
Barium enema: lower bowel examination
Barium enema is an X-ray test that allows your doctor to examine the lower part of your bowel.
Barium swallow and barium meal tests
Both a barium swallow and a barium meal test involve a series of X-rays being taken of your upper digestive tract.
Biopsy
A biopsy is a procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed for examination to help diagnose a disease.
Blood pressure: what is your target?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. Find out what are normal, high and low blood pressure levels.
Blood typing
Classifying blood types is particularly important when it comes to blood transfusions.
Bone mineral density tests
Bone mineral density testing assesses the mineral content of your bones. Low bone mineral density - osteopenia or osteoporosis - makes bones weak and prone to break.
Breast awareness
Help detect breast cancer early by being breast aware, having regular mammograms and reporting unusual breast changes to your doctor.
Breast cancer: detection and diagnosis
Early detection of breast cancer through being 'breast aware' and mammogram screening can help the chances of surviving this cancer.
Cervical cancer: symptoms and diagnosis
If you have an abnormal Pap test result, you may need further tests for cervical cancer.
Cholangiography
Cholangiography is an examination that uses X-rays and contrast medium (dye) to view your bile ducts.
Cholecystography
Cholecystography is a procedure that helps to diagnose gallstones using X-rays and contrast medium to show up the gallbladder and bile duct.
Cholesterol tests
Cholesterol tests are important in assessing your risk of heart disease. Find out what they measure and who should be tested.
Cholesterol: what is your target?
Measuring the levels of good and bad cholesterol can give an indicator of your cardiovascular health.
Coeliac disease: tests
Find out about the tests used to diagnose coeliac disease.
Colonoscopy: examination of the colon
A colonoscopy is an examination of the colon (large bowel), using a colonoscope a long, thin, flexible tube containing a camera and a light.
Coronary angiography
Coronary angiography allows doctors to obtain vital information about the severity and position of any narrowing in the arteries of the heart.
CT scan
A CT scan is a sophisticated X-ray that takes a 3-dimensional picture of any part of the body using a computer. CT scans can often replace other techniques used to diagnose, such as exploratory surgery.
CT scans (CAT scans)
CT (computed tomography) scans are a special type of X-ray that can give detailed and 3-dimensional images of the body's internal structures.
Diabetes and blood glucose monitoring
Keeping track of your blood glucose level is an important part of managing diabetes mellitus (commonly known as diabetes).
Diabetes and urine glucose monitoring
A urine glucose test determines whether or not glucose (sugar) is present in the urine, and can be used to help monitor diabetes control.
Diabetes: type 2 diabetes testing
Find out who is at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and who should be tested for this condition.
Electrocardiogram - ECG
An electrocardiogram is a medical test, commonly called an ECG or EKG, that uses a machine to measure and record the electrical activity in the heart.
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that records electrical signals within the brain, and can be used to diagnose several conditions, including epilepsy.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
ERCP is an investigation used to view the gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas and pancreatic duct.
Endoscopy
In an endoscopy, a doctor looks down a thin lighted tube inserted into the body to see the internal structures.
Exercise stress testing
Exercise stress testing assesses the performance and capacity of the heart during exercise and is used to help diagnose or investigate heart disease.
Faecal occult blood test
Faecal occult blood test is a chemical test that can detect tiny traces of blood in the stool that may indicate the presence of disease.
Full blood count (FBC)
A full blood count is a common blood test that measures the number and status of different types of blood cells, including red cells, white cells and platelets.
Gallstones: diagnosing with ultrasound
Ultrasound is the most common technique used to confirm the presence of gallstones.
Gallstones: diagnosis
Several tests may be used in the diagnosis of gallstones, including blood tests, ultrasound and cholangiography.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux: tests and investigations
Read about some of the tests used to diagnose and assess gastro-oesophageal reflux.
Gastroscopy: examination of the upper digestive tract
Gastroscopy is an examination of the upper digestive tract (the stomach and duodenum) using a long, thin, flexible tube with a camera.
Health checks
If you never go to the doctor, you may be missing some important preventive checks that can help keep you healthy.
Health checks men should have
Check out the screening tests and examinations that healthy men should have to monitor for diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Health checks women should have
Find out about the regular screening tests and examinations that healthy women should have to monitor for diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Hearing tests and audiograms
Your audiogram is a picture of your hearing. It indicates how much your hearing varies from normal and, if there is a hearing loss, where the problem might be located in the hearing pathway.
Helicobacter pylori test: simple test for stomach germ
Helicobacter pylori infection of the stomach can be diagnosed using several different tests, including a breath test.
Hepatitis C: liver biopsy / fibroscan
Find out what`s involved when you have a liver biopsy or a fibroscan to assess the degree of liver fibrosis.
A diagnosis of Addison`s disease is made by biochemical laboratory tests. The aim of these tests is first to determine whether there are insufficient levels of cortisol and then to establish the cause.
Allergy blood tests
Allergy blood tests can be used to determine if you are having an allergic reaction, and what you are allergic to.
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) tests in pregnancy
An alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test is a blood test that can show whether your fetus has signs of some birth defects, in particular, spina bifida (a type of neural tube defect).
Amniocentesis
Amniocentesis is a test that is used in pregnancy to detect certain abnormalities in babies.
Amniocentesis: what you need to know
Amniocentesis is a test that can be done in pregnancy. It is possible to tell from the test whether a fetus has certain birth defects.
Barium enema: lower bowel examination
Barium enema is an X-ray test that allows your doctor to examine the lower part of your bowel.
Barium swallow and barium meal tests
Both a barium swallow and a barium meal test involve a series of X-rays being taken of your upper digestive tract.
Biopsy
A biopsy is a procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed for examination to help diagnose a disease.
Blood pressure: what is your target?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. Find out what are normal, high and low blood pressure levels.
Blood typing
Classifying blood types is particularly important when it comes to blood transfusions.
Bone mineral density tests
Bone mineral density testing assesses the mineral content of your bones. Low bone mineral density - osteopenia or osteoporosis - makes bones weak and prone to break.
Breast awareness
Help detect breast cancer early by being breast aware, having regular mammograms and reporting unusual breast changes to your doctor.
Breast cancer: detection and diagnosis
Early detection of breast cancer through being 'breast aware' and mammogram screening can help the chances of surviving this cancer.
Cervical cancer: symptoms and diagnosis
If you have an abnormal Pap test result, you may need further tests for cervical cancer.
Cholangiography
Cholangiography is an examination that uses X-rays and contrast medium (dye) to view your bile ducts.
Cholecystography
Cholecystography is a procedure that helps to diagnose gallstones using X-rays and contrast medium to show up the gallbladder and bile duct.
Cholesterol tests
Cholesterol tests are important in assessing your risk of heart disease. Find out what they measure and who should be tested.
Cholesterol: what is your target?
Measuring the levels of good and bad cholesterol can give an indicator of your cardiovascular health.
Coeliac disease: tests
Find out about the tests used to diagnose coeliac disease.
Colonoscopy: examination of the colon
A colonoscopy is an examination of the colon (large bowel), using a colonoscope a long, thin, flexible tube containing a camera and a light.
Coronary angiography
Coronary angiography allows doctors to obtain vital information about the severity and position of any narrowing in the arteries of the heart.
CT scan
A CT scan is a sophisticated X-ray that takes a 3-dimensional picture of any part of the body using a computer. CT scans can often replace other techniques used to diagnose, such as exploratory surgery.
CT scans (CAT scans)
CT (computed tomography) scans are a special type of X-ray that can give detailed and 3-dimensional images of the body's internal structures.
Diabetes and blood glucose monitoring
Keeping track of your blood glucose level is an important part of managing diabetes mellitus (commonly known as diabetes).
Diabetes and urine glucose monitoring
A urine glucose test determines whether or not glucose (sugar) is present in the urine, and can be used to help monitor diabetes control.
Diabetes: type 2 diabetes testing
Find out who is at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and who should be tested for this condition.
Electrocardiogram - ECG
An electrocardiogram is a medical test, commonly called an ECG or EKG, that uses a machine to measure and record the electrical activity in the heart.
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that records electrical signals within the brain, and can be used to diagnose several conditions, including epilepsy.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
ERCP is an investigation used to view the gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas and pancreatic duct.
Endoscopy
In an endoscopy, a doctor looks down a thin lighted tube inserted into the body to see the internal structures.
Exercise stress testing
Exercise stress testing assesses the performance and capacity of the heart during exercise and is used to help diagnose or investigate heart disease.
Faecal occult blood test
Faecal occult blood test is a chemical test that can detect tiny traces of blood in the stool that may indicate the presence of disease.
Full blood count (FBC)
A full blood count is a common blood test that measures the number and status of different types of blood cells, including red cells, white cells and platelets.
Gallstones: diagnosing with ultrasound
Ultrasound is the most common technique used to confirm the presence of gallstones.
Gallstones: diagnosis
Several tests may be used in the diagnosis of gallstones, including blood tests, ultrasound and cholangiography.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux: tests and investigations
Read about some of the tests used to diagnose and assess gastro-oesophageal reflux.
Gastroscopy: examination of the upper digestive tract
Gastroscopy is an examination of the upper digestive tract (the stomach and duodenum) using a long, thin, flexible tube with a camera.
Health checks
If you never go to the doctor, you may be missing some important preventive checks that can help keep you healthy.
Health checks men should have
Check out the screening tests and examinations that healthy men should have to monitor for diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Health checks women should have
Find out about the regular screening tests and examinations that healthy women should have to monitor for diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Hearing tests and audiograms
Your audiogram is a picture of your hearing. It indicates how much your hearing varies from normal and, if there is a hearing loss, where the problem might be located in the hearing pathway.
Helicobacter pylori test: simple test for stomach germ
Helicobacter pylori infection of the stomach can be diagnosed using several different tests, including a breath test.
Hepatitis C: liver biopsy / fibroscan
Find out what`s involved when you have a liver biopsy or a fibroscan to assess the degree of liver fibrosis.
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