Laboratory

Measures red cells, white cells and platelets to detect anaemia, infection or clotting disorders.

Measures blood haemoglobin concentration to detect and grade anaemia.

Measures the proportion of blood occupied by red cells, confirming anaemia or dehydration.

A non-specific marker of inflammation, infection or chronic disease activity.

Microscopic examination of blood to detect and quantify malaria parasites.

Microscopic review of blood cell shape to investigate abnormal counts or anaemia.

Counts young red cells to assess how the bone marrow is responding to anaemia.

Screening test detecting sickle-shaped red cells suggestive of sickle cell disease.

Separates haemoglobin types to confirm sickle cell disease or thalassaemia.

Determines blood group and Rhesus factor before transfusion, surgery or in pregnancy.

Confirms that donor blood is compatible with the patient before transfusion.

Detects antibodies bound to red cells in haemolytic anaemia or newborn jaundice.

Detects irregular red cell antibodies, especially in Rhesus-negative pregnancy.

Assesses clotting and monitors warfarin therapy or liver function.

Assesses the intrinsic clotting pathway and monitors heparin treatment.

Measures a key clotting protein in bleeding disorders and obstetric emergencies.

Screens for abnormal clot breakdown suggesting thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.

Bedside assessment of platelet function before a minor surgical procedure.

Detects an enzyme deficiency that causes red cell breakdown after certain drugs.

Measures blood sugar after fasting to diagnose or monitor diabetes.

Measures blood sugar at any time to detect high or low glucose.

Timed glucose measurements diagnosing diabetes or gestational diabetes in pregnancy.

Reflects average blood sugar over three months to monitor diabetes control.

Assesses kidney function and hydration status.

The principal marker of kidney function and filtration capacity.

Measures uric acid to investigate gout, kidney stones or pre-eclampsia.

Measures the salts controlling fluid balance, nerve and heart function.

Measures calcium to assess bone, parathyroid and kidney disorders.

Measures magnesium in malnutrition, irregular heart rhythm or eclampsia care.

Assesses mineral balance in kidney and bone disease.

A liver enzyme raised in hepatitis, drug injury or fatty liver.

A liver and muscle enzyme raised in hepatic or muscle damage.

An enzyme raised in bile duct obstruction and bone disease.

A liver enzyme marking bile duct disease or alcohol-related liver injury.

Measures bile pigment to investigate jaundice in adults and newborns.

Assesses nutritional status, liver function and protein loss.

Measures cholesterol and triglycerides to estimate cardiovascular risk.

Measures total blood cholesterol as a cardiovascular risk marker.

Distinguishes protective from harmful cholesterol for risk assessment.

Measures blood fats linked to pancreatitis and metabolic syndrome.

An enzyme raised in acute pancreatitis and salivary gland disease.

A more specific pancreatic enzyme confirming acute pancreatitis.

A marker of acute inflammation or bacterial infection and response to treatment.

A marker distinguishing bacterial sepsis from other causes of inflammation.

Detects heart muscle damage in suspected myocardial infarction.

Enzymes raised in cardiac or skeletal muscle injury.

A non-specific marker of tissue damage, red cell breakdown or malignancy.

Assesses iron stores and transport in suspected iron-deficiency anaemia.

Measures body iron stores, the earliest marker of iron deficiency.

Measures the vitamins required for red cell production and nerve function.

Measures vitamin D status, which affects bone strength and immunity.

Separates blood proteins to investigate chronic infection or myeloma.

Measures blood oxygen, carbon dioxide and acidity in respiratory failure.

Chemical and microscopic urine examination detecting infection, blood, protein or crystals.

Grows urinary bacteria and identifies the antibiotics that will treat them.

Microscopic examination of stool detecting intestinal worms, amoebae and giardia.

Grows the bacteria causing diarrhoea and identifies suitable antibiotic treatment.

Detects hidden blood in stool suggesting bleeding or bowel disease.

Grows bacteria from blood to diagnose bloodstream infection and guide antibiotics.

Identifies the bacteria infecting a wound or abscess and the effective antibiotics.

Rapid microscopic staining classifying bacteria to guide the first antibiotic choice.

Microscopic detection of tuberculosis bacteria in sputum.

A molecular test detecting tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance within hours.

Identifies vaginal infection including bacterial vaginosis, candida and trichomonas.

Detects gonorrhoea and other organisms causing urethral discharge.

Identifies streptococcal and other bacterial causes of sore throat.

Cell count, chemistry and culture of spinal fluid to diagnose meningitis.

Microscopic detection of fungal elements in skin, hair or nail infection.

Grows and identifies the fungi causing persistent skin or systemic infection.

Detects the bacterium that causes gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.

Assesses sperm count, movement and shape in the investigation of male infertility.

A rapid antibody test screening for HIV infection, with counselling.

Sequential confirmatory testing establishing a definitive HIV diagnosis.

Measures circulating virus to confirm that antiretroviral treatment is working.

Measures immune status in a person living with HIV.

Detects active hepatitis B infection or carriage.

Assesses immunity to hepatitis B after vaccination or past infection.

Screens for hepatitis C infection, a cause of chronic liver disease.

Detects recent hepatitis A infection causing acute jaundice.

A screening test for syphilis, performed routinely in antenatal care.

Confirms syphilis infection after a positive screening test.

Detects antibodies against Salmonella typhi in suspected typhoid fever.

Rapid detection of typhoid antibodies in a patient with fever.

Detects brucellosis, acquired from unpasteurised milk or contact with livestock.

An antibody supporting the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Detects recent streptococcal infection linked to rheumatic fever.

Screens for autoimmune connective tissue disease such as lupus.

Detects dengue infection in travellers or patients with fever.

A rapid antigen test detecting malaria in a patient with fever.

Rapid detection of COVID-19 infection for symptoms or travel screening.

Molecular confirmation of COVID-19, accepted for travel certification.

Detects toxoplasma infection, which matters in pregnancy and low immunity.

Assesses rubella immunity or recent infection in pregnancy.

The first-line test for an underactive or overactive thyroid gland.

Measures active thyroid hormone to clarify thyroid dysfunction.

Measures circulating thyroid hormone alongside TSH.

Confirms and dates pregnancy, and monitors ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.

Investigates absent periods, infertility or abnormal breast milk production.

Assesses ovarian or testicular function in infertility and menopause.

Assesses ovulation and the regulation of reproductive hormones.

Measures the main female hormone in infertility and menstrual disorders.

Confirms ovulation and assesses early pregnancy viability.

Assesses low male hormone in men, or excess male hormone in women.

Estimates remaining ovarian reserve during fertility assessment.

Screens for prostate enlargement or prostate cancer in men.

Assesses adrenal gland function in suspected Cushing or Addison disease.

Investigates abnormal calcium levels and metabolic bone disease.

Assesses insulin resistance in metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovaries.

Microscopic examination of cervical cells to detect pre-cancerous change.

Detects high-risk human papillomavirus, the national cervical cancer screening method.

Microscopic tissue examination confirming cervical pre-cancer or cancer.

Needle sampling of a lump so that its cells can be examined for cancer.

Microscopic examination of removed tissue to establish a definitive diagnosis.

Examines cells in pleural, abdominal or joint fluid for infection or cancer.

A bedside finger-prick measurement of blood sugar.

A rapid bedside haemoglobin measurement to screen for anaemia.

A rapid strip test detecting protein, sugar, blood, ketones and infection.

A rapid urine test detecting the pregnancy hormone hCG.

Rapid screening for hepatitis B infection.

Rapid antibody screening for syphilis, used in the antenatal clinic.

A bedside test for heart muscle damage in suspected heart attack.

Non-invasive measurement of the oxygen saturation of the blood.

Examination with basic blood tests, urinalysis and chest radiograph for fitness to work.

A grouped review with blood, urine, imaging and cardiac screening.

Stool analysis and examination certifying fitness to handle food.

Vision, hearing and general fitness assessment for a driving licence.

Examination, chest radiograph and blood tests required for a visa or migration.

Grouped tests for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, haemoglobin and blood group.

Grouped screening for HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, blood group and sickling.

Glucose, HbA1c, kidney function and lipids to detect and stage diabetes.

Lipids, glucose, kidney function and an ECG to estimate heart disease risk.

Clinical assessment, with an ECG, confirming fitness for sport or school.