Appropriate request
The test should answer a defined clinical or occupational question and be interpreted in context.
World time
COHSEW knowledge / Independent test portfolio
Laboratory Testing Online
A searchable, plain-language guide to clinical and occupational laboratory tests—why they are requested, how professionals perform them and what follow-up may be considered.Understand before you test
One test is one piece of a clinical picture.
This portfolio supports informed conversations with qualified healthcare and occupational-health professionals. A result may be affected by symptoms, medicines, timing, collection quality, reference intervals and the specific method used.
ImportantThis information is educational. It does not diagnose disease, select a test for you or replace urgent care, a clinician, national screening guidance or the laboratory’s own patient instructions.
33Detailed guides
6Laboratory disciplines
Each guide follows the same useful structure: test, why it is performed, what it is used for, how it is performed, related conditions and possible further tests.
33guides found
01Hematology
Complete Blood Count (CBC/FBC)
To measure red cells, white cells, platelets and calculated red-cell indices as a broad view of blood and marrow health.
Sample · EDTA whole bloodView complete test guide ↗02Hematology
Peripheral Blood Film
To examine the size, shape, maturity and distribution of blood cells under a microscope when counts or symptoms need clarification.
Sample · Fresh EDTA blood and prepared slideView complete test guide ↗03Hematology
Reticulocyte Count
To measure young red blood cells and assess how actively the bone marrow is producing them.
Sample · EDTA whole bloodView complete test guide ↗04Hematology
Prothrombin Time and INR (PT/INR)
To assess part of the clotting pathway and standardise monitoring of vitamin-K antagonist anticoagulation.
Sample · Correctly filled citrate plasmaView complete test guide ↗05Hematology
D-dimer
To detect fragments produced when cross-linked fibrin clots are broken down.
Sample · Citrate plasmaView complete test guide ↗06Biochemistry
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
To measure a group of substances that reflect metabolism, fluid and electrolyte balance, kidney function, liver-related markers and proteins.
Sample · Serum or plasmaView complete test guide ↗07Biochemistry
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
To estimate average blood glucose exposure over roughly the previous two to three months.
Sample · EDTA whole bloodView complete test guide ↗08Biochemistry
Lipid Profile
To measure cholesterol and triglyceride fractions used in cardiovascular-risk assessment.
Sample · Serum or plasmaView complete test guide ↗09Biochemistry
Thyroid Function Tests
To assess thyroid regulation, usually beginning with thyroid-stimulating hormone and adding free thyroid hormones when appropriate.
Sample · SerumView complete test guide ↗10Biochemistry
Liver Function Profile
To assess patterns of liver-cell injury, bile-flow disturbance and selected aspects of liver synthetic function.
Sample · Serum or plasmaView complete test guide ↗11Biochemistry
Kidney Function Profile
To assess filtration and fluid or electrolyte handling using creatinine, estimated GFR and related measurements.
Sample · Serum/plasma plus urine when requestedView complete test guide ↗12Biochemistry
C-reactive Protein (CRP)
To measure a protein that rises in response to inflammation.
Sample · Serum or plasmaView complete test guide ↗13Biochemistry
Ferritin and Iron Studies
To estimate iron stores and evaluate iron availability using ferritin with iron, transferrin or saturation measurements.
Sample · SerumView complete test guide ↗14Microbiology
Urine Culture and Susceptibility
To determine whether significant bacteria or yeast are present in urine and, when relevant, which antimicrobials may work.
Sample · Clean-catch midstream urine or clinically specified specimenView complete test guide ↗15Microbiology
Blood Culture
To detect bacteria or fungi circulating in the bloodstream.
Sample · Aseptic venous blood collected into aerobic/anaerobic culture bottlesView complete test guide ↗16Microbiology
Stool Culture / Enteric Pathogen Panel
To identify selected bacterial, viral or parasitic causes of gastrointestinal illness.
Sample · Fresh stool in the specified container or transport mediumView complete test guide ↗17Microbiology
Sputum Culture
To identify bacteria or fungi that may be causing a lower respiratory infection.
Sample · Deep-cough sputum, not salivaView complete test guide ↗18Microbiology
Tuberculosis Molecular Test (NAAT)
To detect genetic material from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex more rapidly than culture.
Sample · Sputum or other clinically appropriate specimenView complete test guide ↗19Microbiology
Malaria Microscopy / Antigen Test
To detect malaria parasites or parasite antigens in a person with compatible illness or travel exposure.
Sample · EDTA or capillary bloodView complete test guide ↗20Molecular Pathology
Respiratory Pathogen PCR Panel
To detect nucleic acid from selected respiratory viruses and sometimes bacteria.
Sample · Nasopharyngeal, nasal or other validated respiratory specimenView complete test guide ↗21Molecular Pathology
High-Risk HPV DNA Test
To detect high-risk human papillomavirus types associated with cervical-cell changes.
Sample · Clinician-collected or validated self-collected cervical/vaginal sample, programme dependentView complete test guide ↗22Molecular Pathology
BRCA1/BRCA2 Genetic Test
To look for pathogenic variants associated with inherited or tumour-related cancer risk.
Sample · Blood, saliva or validated tumour specimen depending on purposeView complete test guide ↗23Molecular Pathology
EGFR Tumour Mutation Test
To identify selected EGFR alterations that may help classify a tumour and guide targeted-treatment decisions.
Sample · Tumour tissue or validated circulating tumour DNAView complete test guide ↗24Molecular Pathology
BCR::ABL1 Molecular Test
To detect or quantify the BCR::ABL1 fusion associated with specific myeloid and lymphoid leukaemias.
Sample · EDTA blood or bone marrowView complete test guide ↗25Histopathology & Cytology
Surgical Biopsy Histology
To examine tissue architecture and cell features when a lesion, inflammation or organ disorder needs diagnosis.
Sample · Fresh or formalin-fixed tissue as specifiedView complete test guide ↗26Histopathology & Cytology
Cervical Cytology (Pap Test)
To detect cervical-cell changes that may require surveillance or further assessment.
Sample · Cervical cells collected with a screening deviceView complete test guide ↗27Histopathology & Cytology
Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC)
To obtain a minimally invasive cellular sample from a palpable or image-guided lesion.
Sample · Cells aspirated from a lump or organ lesionView complete test guide ↗28Histopathology & Cytology
Body Fluid Cytology
To examine cells shed into a body fluid for malignancy, inflammation or other abnormalities.
Sample · Pleural, peritoneal, cerebrospinal or other body fluidView complete test guide ↗29Occupational Health
Occupational Spirometry
To measure airflow and lung volumes for respiratory health surveillance or clinical assessment.
Sample · Standardised forced breathing manoeuvresView complete test guide ↗30Occupational Health
Occupational Audiometry
To detect and track hearing changes in workers exposed to hazardous noise.
Sample · Behavioural hearing thresholds in a controlled test environmentView complete test guide ↗31Occupational Health
Blood Lead Level
To measure absorbed lead and support exposure-control and medical-surveillance decisions.
Sample · Lead-free EDTA venous bloodView complete test guide ↗32Occupational Health
Cholinesterase Activity Monitoring
To monitor inhibition of cholinesterase enzymes in workers exposed to certain organophosphate or carbamate pesticides.
Sample · Whole blood and/or serum/plasma depending on programmeView complete test guide ↗33Occupational Health
Urinary Biological Exposure Monitoring
To estimate uptake of selected workplace chemicals or metabolites when a validated biological monitoring approach exists.
Sample · Timed or end-of-shift urine, analyte dependentView complete test guide ↗Laboratory quality principles
Right patient. Right sample. Right method. Right meaning.
Test quality extends from the decision to request a test through collection, examination, interpretation and communication.
Specimen integrity
Identity, container, collection, transport, timing and acceptance criteria protect the result.
Analytical control
Validated methods, competence, calibration and quality controls support reliability.
Responsible interpretation
Reference intervals, uncertainty, limitations and urgent-result pathways shape safe use.
Portfolio references
Built from recognised public guidance.
Individual guides link to their primary public reference. These overarching sources support the portfolio’s quality and patient-information approach.
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