Guide to blood testing
Find out all about blood tests, including where to get a blood test, what happens when you have a blood test and how long it takes.
Symptom Checker
Worried about your health?
Select a symptom, answer some questions, get advice
Blood tests A-Z
Blood tests can be used to assess your health, as well as help your doctor diagnose or monitor a range of conditions. See this blood testing guide for general information and to understand what’s involved. You can also learn about specific types of blood tests below.
Blood glucose test
Blood glucose tests (blood sugar tests) are used to diagnose and monitor diabetes. Find out how to prepare for this test and what your results mean.
C-reactive protein (CRP) blood test
The C-reactive protein (CRP) test is a blood test that checks for inflammation in the body. Find out when it may be done and what your results mean.
Calcium blood test
A calcium test indicates how much calcium is in your blood. Find out how this test helps doctors diagnose, monitor or treat your illness.
Cholesterol and lipid tests
Learn about fats and cholesterol in your blood (lipid profile), including their purpose and what a high or low result means.
D-dimer test
The D-dimer test is a blood test that checks for, or monitors, blood-clotting problems. Find out what a positive result might mean for you.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) blood test
The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a blood test that can check for inflammation in your body. Find out more about ESR blood tests here.
Folate blood test
Folate is an important nutrient for making red blood cells. The folate blood test checks whether you have enough folate in your blood.
Full blood count (FBC)
A full blood count checks red and white blood cells and platelets to detect infections, anaemia and clotting problems and more.
HbA1c test
Find out about the HbA1c test - a blood test used to help diagnose diabetes and monitor blood sugar control in people with diabetes.
hCG test
The human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) test is usually used to confirm or monitor a pregnancy. It can be a blood or a urine test. Learn more here.
International normalised ratio (INR) test
The international normalised ratio (INR) is a blood test that checks how long your blood takes to clot. Learn how it works and what your results mean.
Iron studies blood test
Iron studies are blood tests that look at how much iron is in your blood and other cells. Too little or too much iron can cause health problems.
Kidney function blood tests
Kidney (renal) function tests are blood tests to check your kidney health. Read this to find out what is tested and what your results may mean.
Liver function tests
Liver function tests are blood tests that check how well your liver is working. Find out what LFTs measure and what your results may mean.
Magnesium blood test
A magnesium blood test checks your magnesium levels. Find out how to prepare for a magnesium blood test and what your results may mean.
Oestrogen blood test
Oestrogen blood tests help understand your hormone balance. Read more if you are planning pregnancy, are pregnant or your menstrual cycle is irregular.
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) test
A prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test can be used to test for prostate cancer. It can also be used to monitor prostate cancer.
Testosterone blood test
A testosterone blood test can show how much of the sex hormone testosterone is in your body. Males usually have more testosterone than females.
Thyroid function tests
A thyroid function blood test is used to check your thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3) blood levels.
Troponin blood test
Troponin blood tests can help work out if your heart muscle is damaged due to a heart attack. Read about troponin blood tests and when they are used.
Vitamin B12 test
Find out why you might need a Vitamin B12 blood test. Vitamin B12 is also called cobalamin or VitB12. Vitamin B12 can be low in vegetarians.
Vitamin D test
Vitamin D is important for bone health. A vitamin D blood test checks the level of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D in your blood. Find out more here.