6 Common Blood Tests and What They Show

6 Common Blood Tests and What They Show

Blood tests are commonly prescribed by doctors to check for a range of health conditions, from anaemia to diabetes. They are used in the prevention, treatment, monitoring and research of diseases. They can also be used to assess the future risk of developing a disease.

While interpreting the results of your test is best left to the doctor, understanding what is going on and how to read the results can be useful. Regardless, to start the process you can get a request for pathology online using our service.

Here are five of the most common blood tests you will likely be exposed to in Australia:

Full blood count

A full blood count tests for a broad range of diseases, illnesses and infections. It does this by providing information on the development and number of certain cells in your blood (i.e. platelets, red cells, and white cells).

Abnormalities may suggest an infection, anaemia, or certain blood cancers like leukaemia.

Iron studies

Testing your iron levels can help your doctor determine whether or not there is too much or too little iron in your body. Low iron levels may indicate anaemia, whereas high iron levels (iron overload) can increase your risk of serious conditions like heart failure, diabetes or liver disease.

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test

A TSH test can check for or monitor thyroid disorders such as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and certain cancers and autoimmune conditions. TSH is responsible for getting the thyroid to create vital hormones which maintain basic bodily functioning, such as breathing, temperature and heart rate.


A urinalysis involves a number of tests using a urine sample. These tests check for a number of diseases, such as diabetes and kidney disease. They can also check for pregnancy and urinary tract infections.

Liver function

Liver function tests help to assess the state of your liver by measuring the amount of substances produced or excreted from the organ. These tests are important for the early diagnosis and treatment of liver conditions.

Abnormalities may suggest a disease or infection of the liver.

INR (International Normalised Ratio)

An INR test is useful for assessing the effectiveness of a medication on a person. It works by looking at how well the person’s blood clots. It is especially important for people who take anti-clotting medication such as warfarin.

If you think you may need a blood test, request a consult with one of our medical practitioners to get a pathology referral.

by Instant Consult

Source: https://www.instantconsult.com.au/6-common-blood-tests-and-what-they-show