Tests & investigations
Medical tests and investigations explained
Clear, referenced guides to common tests and scans — what each one is, why it is done, what to expect on the day and how to make sense of the results. 154 tests and growing.
Blood test
Blood TestA blood test involves taking a small sample of blood, usually from the arm, to check your … Full Blood Count (FBC)A full blood count is a common blood test that measures the different types of cells in yo… Thyroid Function TestA thyroid function test is a blood test that checks how well your thyroid gland is working… HbA1c Test (Blood Sugar)The HbA1c is a blood test that shows your average blood sugar over the past two to three m… Liver Function Test (LFTs)Liver function tests are a group of blood tests that check how well your liver is working … Kidney Function Test (U&E)A kidney function test is a blood test that checks how well your kidneys are filtering was… Cholesterol Test (Lipid Profile)A cholesterol test is a blood test that measures fats in your blood — total cholesterol, "… C-Reactive Protein Test (CRP)A CRP test measures C-reactive protein, a substance the liver makes when there is inflamma… ESR TestAn ESR test measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a tube. A faster rate suggests … Ferritin Test (Iron Stores)A ferritin test measures the protein that stores iron in the body, giving a good indicatio… Vitamin D TestA vitamin D test is a blood test that measures the level of vitamin D in your body, which … Vitamin B12 TestA vitamin B12 test is a blood test that checks your B12 level, which is needed for healthy… INR Test (Clotting)An INR test measures how long your blood takes to clot. It is mainly used to monitor the b… Blood Glucose TestA blood glucose test measures the amount of sugar in your blood. It is used to diagnose an… PSA TestA PSA test is a blood test that measures a protein made by the prostate. A raised level ca… Troponin TestA troponin test measures a protein released when the heart muscle is damaged. It is a key … D-dimer TestA D-dimer test measures a substance released when a blood clot breaks down. It is mainly u… Blood CultureA blood culture is a test that checks whether bacteria or other germs are growing in your … HIV TestAn HIV test checks whether you have the HIV virus, usually with a blood test or fingerpric… Cortisol TestA cortisol test measures the level of the stress hormone cortisol, made by the adrenal gla… Testosterone TestA testosterone test measures the level of the hormone testosterone in the blood. It helps … Female Hormone TestFemale hormone tests measure hormones such as FSH, LH and oestrogen. They help investigate… Prolactin TestA prolactin test measures the hormone prolactin, made by the pituitary gland. A raised lev… Amylase & Lipase TestAmylase and lipase are enzymes made by the pancreas. Blood tests measuring them are used m… Calcium Blood TestA calcium blood test measures the level of calcium in your blood, which is important for b… Magnesium TestA magnesium test measures the level of magnesium in your blood, a mineral important for mu… Uric Acid TestA uric acid test measures the level of urate in your blood. It is used mainly to help inve… Coeliac Disease Blood TestA coeliac blood test looks for antibodies produced when someone with coeliac disease eats … Folate TestA folate test measures the level of folate (a B vitamin) in your blood. It is used, often … BNP Blood TestA BNP blood test measures a hormone released when the heart is under strain, helping to di… Antinuclear Antibody TestAn antinuclear antibody (ANA) test looks for antibodies that attack the body’s own cells, … Rheumatoid Factor TestA rheumatoid factor test measures an antibody often found in rheumatoid arthritis and some… Anti-CCP TestAn anti-CCP test looks for antibodies that are highly specific to rheumatoid arthritis and… ANCA TestAn ANCA test looks for antibodies linked to certain types of blood vessel inflammation (va… Thyroid Antibody TestA thyroid antibody test looks for antibodies that attack the thyroid gland, helping to ide… CA-125 TestA CA-125 test measures a protein in the blood that can be raised in ovarian cancer and som… CEA TestA CEA test measures a protein that can be raised in some cancers, mainly used to monitor b… CA 19-9 TestA CA 19-9 test measures a protein that can be raised in pancreatic and some other cancers,… Alpha-Fetoprotein TestAn alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test measures a protein used as a marker for certain liver and … Hepatitis Blood TestA hepatitis blood test checks for infection with hepatitis viruses (usually B and C), whic… Glucose Tolerance TestA glucose tolerance test checks how your body handles sugar by measuring blood glucose bef… Parathyroid Hormone TestA parathyroid hormone (PTH) test measures a hormone that controls calcium levels, used to … Growth Hormone TestA growth hormone test checks levels of growth hormone or the related marker IGF-1, used to… Aldosterone and Renin TestThis blood test measures the hormones aldosterone and renin, which control salt, water and… Creatine Kinase TestA creatine kinase (CK) test measures an enzyme released when muscle is damaged, used to in… Lactate Blood TestA lactate blood test measures lactic acid, which rises when tissues are short of oxygen, u… Ammonia Blood TestAn ammonia blood test measures ammonia, a waste product that can build up when the liver i… Arterial Blood GasAn arterial blood gas (ABG) measures oxygen, carbon dioxide and acidity in blood taken fro… Procalcitonin TestA procalcitonin test measures a marker that rises with serious bacterial infection, helpin… Homocysteine TestA homocysteine test measures an amino acid in the blood that, when raised, is linked to vi… Clotting ScreenA clotting screen checks how well your blood forms clots, using tests such as PT and APTT … Blood Group and CrossmatchThis test identifies your blood group and checks compatibility so that blood can be given … Sickle Cell TestA sickle cell test checks for sickle cell trait or disease, an inherited condition affecti… G6PD TestA G6PD test checks for a deficiency of an enzyme that protects red blood cells, which can … Haemoglobin ElectrophoresisHaemoglobin electrophoresis identifies the different types of haemoglobin in your blood to… Iron StudiesIron studies are a group of blood tests that assess how much iron is in your body, used to… Reticulocyte CountA reticulocyte count measures the number of young red blood cells, showing how actively yo… Blood FilmA blood film is an examination of blood under a microscope to look at the appearance of bl… Monospot TestA monospot test looks for antibodies produced during glandular fever (infectious mononucle… Bone Marrow BiopsyA bone marrow biopsy takes a small sample of the soft tissue inside bone to examine blood …
Camera test
EndoscopyAn endoscopy uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera to look inside the body — commonly t… ColonoscopyA colonoscopy uses a thin, flexible camera to examine the inside of the large bowel. It ca… Gastroscopy (Upper Endoscopy)A gastroscopy is a test where a thin, flexible camera is passed through the mouth to look … BronchoscopyA bronchoscopy is a test where a thin camera is passed into the airways and lungs, usually… CystoscopyA cystoscopy is a test where a thin camera is passed along the urethra to look inside the … Flexible SigmoidoscopyA flexible sigmoidoscopy uses a thin, bendy camera passed into the back passage to look at… Capsule EndoscopyA capsule endoscopy involves swallowing a tiny disposable camera in a pill that takes thou… ERCPAn ERCP combines an endoscopy with X-rays to examine and treat problems in the bile ducts … HysteroscopyA hysteroscopy uses a thin camera passed through the vagina and cervix to look inside the … ColposcopyA colposcopy is a close examination of the cervix using a special magnifying instrument, u… Diagnostic LaparoscopyA diagnostic laparoscopy is keyhole surgery that uses a thin camera passed through a small… LaryngoscopyA laryngoscopy is an examination of the voice box (larynx) and throat, usually using a sma… NasendoscopyA nasendoscopy uses a very thin flexible camera passed through the nose to examine the nas… ProctoscopyA proctoscopy is a quick examination of the back passage (anus and lower rectum) using a s… Diagnostic ArthroscopyAn arthroscopy uses a small camera inserted through a tiny cut to look inside a joint, suc…
Heart test
ECG (Electrocardiogram)An ECG is a quick, painless test that records the heart's electrical activity through stic… Blood Pressure TestA blood pressure test measures the pressure of blood in your arteries using an inflatable … EchocardiogramAn echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan of the heart. It uses sound waves to show the hear… Holter Monitor (24-hour ECG)A Holter monitor is a portable device that records your heart’s rhythm continuously over a… Exercise Stress TestAn exercise stress test records your heart’s activity while you walk on a treadmill or cyc… Ambulatory Blood Pressure MonitoringThis test measures your blood pressure automatically over 24 hours as you go about your da… Cardiac MRIA cardiac MRI uses a powerful magnet and radio waves to produce detailed moving images of … Coronary Calcium ScoreA coronary calcium score is a quick CT scan that measures calcium in the heart’s arteries … Myocardial Perfusion ScanA myocardial perfusion scan uses a small radioactive tracer to show how well blood reaches… Tilt Table TestA tilt table test checks how your heart rate and blood pressure respond to a change in pos… Electrophysiology StudyAn electrophysiology (EP) study passes fine wires into the heart through a vein to map its… Ankle-Brachial Pressure IndexThe ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) compares blood pressure at the ankle with the arm… Implantable Loop RecorderAn implantable loop recorder is a small device placed under the skin of the chest to conti… Transoesophageal EchocardiogramA transoesophageal echocardiogram uses an ultrasound probe passed down the gullet to get d… Cardiac CatheterisationCardiac catheterisation threads a fine tube into the heart’s arteries to check for narrowi…
Imaging
X-rayAn X-ray is a quick, painless scan that uses a small amount of radiation to create images … CT ScanA CT scan uses X-rays and a computer to build detailed cross-section images of the body. I… MRI ScanAn MRI scan uses strong magnets and radio waves — not radiation — to produce very detailed… Ultrasound ScanAn ultrasound scan uses high-frequency sound waves to create live images of inside the bod… DEXA Scan (Bone Density)A DEXA scan is a quick, low-dose X-ray that measures bone strength. It is the main test us… PET ScanA PET scan uses a small amount of radioactive tracer to show how tissues are working, not … AngiogramAn angiogram is a test that uses dye and imaging to show the blood vessels, most often the… CT AngiogramA CT angiogram uses a CT scanner and an injection of contrast dye to produce detailed pict… CT Pulmonary AngiogramA CTPA is a specialised CT scan with contrast dye used mainly to look for a blood clot in … MR AngiogramAn MR angiogram uses an MRI scanner — and sometimes contrast dye — to produce detailed ima… Carotid UltrasoundA carotid ultrasound uses sound waves to check the carotid arteries in the neck for narrow… Doppler UltrasoundA Doppler ultrasound uses sound waves to show how blood is flowing through your veins and … Barium SwallowA barium swallow is an X-ray test where you drink a chalky liquid containing barium so tha… Barium EnemaA barium enema is an X-ray test where barium liquid is passed into the bowel through the b… VQ ScanA VQ scan is a nuclear medicine test that compares air flow and blood flow in the lungs, u… Bone ScanA bone scan uses a small radioactive injection and a special camera to highlight areas of … FibroScanA FibroScan is a quick, painless ultrasound-based test that measures the stiffness of your… Dating ScanA dating scan is an ultrasound in early pregnancy that confirms how many weeks pregnant yo… Anomaly ScanThe anomaly scan is a detailed ultrasound around 20 weeks of pregnancy that checks the bab…
Other
Urine TestA urine test checks a sample of your urine for signs of infection, kidney problems, diabet… BiopsyA biopsy is when a small sample of tissue is taken from the body and examined under a micr… Spirometry (Lung Function Test)Spirometry is a breathing test that measures how much air you can breathe out and how fast… Sleep StudyA sleep study records what happens to your body while you sleep — such as breathing, oxyge… EEG (Brainwave Test)An EEG records the electrical activity of the brain using small sensors on the scalp. It i… Nerve Conduction Study & EMGNerve conduction studies and EMG test how well your nerves and muscles are working, using … Allergy TestingAllergy testing helps find out what you are allergic to, using a skin prick test or a bloo… Stool TestA stool test analyses a sample of your poo to check for infection, inflammation, hidden bl… Pregnancy TestA pregnancy test checks for the hormone hCG, which is produced in pregnancy. It can be don… Genetic TestingGenetic testing analyses your DNA to look for changes linked to inherited conditions or di… Hearing TestA hearing test checks how well you can hear sounds of different pitches and volumes. It is… Eye TestAn eye test checks your vision and the health of your eyes. As well as measuring sight, it… Swab TestA swab test uses a soft cotton-tipped stick to collect a sample from an area such as the t… Urine CultureA urine culture grows any bacteria in a urine sample to confirm a urinary tract infection … Albumin-to-Creatinine RatioThe albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) measures protein leaking into the urine, an early si… 24-Hour Urine CollectionA 24-hour urine collection gathers all the urine you pass over a full day to measure subst… Faecal Calprotectin TestA faecal calprotectin test measures a protein in the stool that rises with inflammation in… Urine Drug TestA urine drug test checks for the presence of certain drugs or their breakdown products in … Helicobacter Pylori TestA Helicobacter pylori test checks for a stomach bacterium that can cause indigestion, ulce… Faecal Elastase TestA faecal elastase test measures an enzyme in the stool to check how well the pancreas is p… Urine Dipstick TestA urine dipstick is a quick test using a chemical strip to check urine for signs of infect… Semen AnalysisA semen analysis examines a semen sample to assess the number, movement and shape of sperm… Lumbar PunctureA lumbar puncture takes a sample of the fluid around the spinal cord and brain (cerebrospi… ElectromyographyElectromyography (EMG) measures the electrical activity of muscles to help diagnose proble… Visual Field TestA visual field test checks your full range of vision, including side (peripheral) vision, … TonometryTonometry measures the pressure inside your eye, an important check for glaucoma.… TympanometryTympanometry tests how well the eardrum moves and checks the middle ear, useful for detect… Urodynamic TestsUrodynamic tests measure how well the bladder stores and empties urine, used to investigat… Pleural AspirationPleural aspiration uses a needle to remove fluid from the space around the lungs, to relie… Abdominal ParacentesisParacentesis uses a needle or tube to remove fluid that has built up in the abdomen, to re… Skin BiopsyA skin biopsy removes a small sample of skin to examine under a microscope, used to diagno… FeNO TestA FeNO test measures nitric oxide in your breath, a marker of a certain type of airway inf…
Screening
MammogramA mammogram is a low-dose X-ray of the breast used to check for breast cancer, often befor… Cervical Screening (Smear Test)Cervical screening is a test that checks the health of the cervix. It looks for a virus (H… Bowel Cancer Screening (FIT)Bowel cancer screening uses a simple home test (FIT) that checks a stool sample for hidden… AAA ScreeningAAA screening is a quick ultrasound of the tummy that checks the main blood vessel (the ao… FIT TestA FIT test detects tiny amounts of blood in the stool that cannot be seen, used in bowel c… Newborn Blood Spot TestThe newborn blood spot test is a heel-prick test done in the first week of life to screen … Newborn Hearing ScreeningNewborn hearing screening checks a baby’s hearing soon after birth using quick, painless t… Diabetic Eye ScreeningDiabetic eye screening takes photographs of the back of the eyes to detect early changes f… Non-Invasive Prenatal TestingNIPT is a blood test in pregnancy that analyses fragments of the baby’s DNA in the mother’… Combined Screening TestThe combined test uses a blood test and the nuchal translucency ultrasound measurement to … AmniocentesisAmniocentesis is a diagnostic test in pregnancy that takes a small sample of the fluid aro… Chorionic Villus SamplingChorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a diagnostic pregnancy test that takes a small sample o… NHS Health CheckThe NHS Health Check is a midlife check-up for adults that assesses the risk of heart dise…
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