Lab Tests Explained

Understand what electrolyte blood tests measure, what normal and abnormal sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate levels indicate, and how these results are used clinically.

Understand what vitamin B12 and folate blood tests measure, what causes deficiency, and how laboratory results are interpreted in clinical practice.

Learn what tumour markers are, how PSA, CA-125, CEA, and AFP tests work, and what elevated levels may indicate in a clinical context.

Inflammation markers including ESR, CRP, ferritin, and procalcitonin help detect and monitor inflammation and infection. This guide explains what each measures and how they are used together.

A bone profile blood test measures calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and sometimes vitamin D to assess bone health and mineral metabolism. This guide explains each component.

Coagulation tests including PT, INR, APTT, fibrinogen, and D-dimer assess the blood’s ability to clot. This guide explains what each test measures and when it is used.

Urinalysis examines the physical, chemical, and microscopic properties of urine to detect kidney disease, infection, diabetes, and more. This guide explains what each component measures.

Blood glucose tests include fasting glucose, random glucose, and the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). This guide explains how each is used to diagnose and monitor diabetes and prediabetes.

Iron studies measure serum iron, ferritin, TIBC, and transferrin saturation to assess iron stores and identify anaemia or iron overload. This guide explains what each result means.

Thyroid function tests measure TSH, free T4, and sometimes free T3 to assess how well the thyroid gland is working. This guide explains what each result means and how the tests are used.