PrintPatient.co.uk has an extensive section of leaflets on tests and investigations. They include explanations of blood tests, X-rays, scans, endoscopy, etc.
Other UK sources of information about tests and investigations
Ambulatory Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG). Information from Patient.co.uk.
- ECG. Information from The British Heart Foundation.
Amniocentesis
- Amniocentesis. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Amniocentesis: what you need to know. Information from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
- Amniocentesis. Information from NHS Choices.
Angiogram (arteriogram)
- Coronary angiography. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Angiogram or arteriogram. Information from The Circulation Foundation.
- Renal angiography and angioplasty. Information from Edinburgh Renal Unit.
- Angiogram of the Brain. Information from the Brain and Spine Foundation.
Antibody and Antigen Tests
- Antibody and antigen tests. Information from Patient.co.uk.
Arthroscopy and Arthroscopic Surgery
- Arthroscopy and arthroscopic surgery. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Ankle arthroscopy. Information from West Suffolk Hospital.
- Ankle arthroscopy. Information from Simon Moyes, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon.
- Elbow Arthroscopy. Information from Cambridge University Hospital.
Audiometry
- Audiometry. Information from Patient.co.uk.
Barium Enema
- Barium Enema. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Information for patients having a barium enema. Information from The Royal College of Radiologists.
- Barium enema. Information from NHS Choices.
Barium Swallow / Meal / Follow Through
- Barium swallow/meal/follow through. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Information for patients having a barium swallow and meal. Information from The Royal College of Radiologists.
Biopsy
- Biopsy. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Information for patients undergoing percutaneous biopsy. Information from The Royal College of Radiologists.
Blood Clotting Tests
- Blood clotting tests. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Coagulation factors. Information from Lab Tests Online.
Blood Grouping (Typing)
- Blood Grouping (Typing). Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Blood group basics. Information from The National Blood Service.
Blood Tests - General Points
- Blood tests - general points. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Blood tests. Information from Lab Tests Online.
- Blood tests. Information from NHS Choices.
Blood Tests to Detect Inflammation
- Blood tests to detect inflammation. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- C-Reactive Protein (blood test). Information from Lab Tests Online.
- ESR (blood test). Information from Lab Tests Online.
- Blood tests. Information from NHS Choices.
Bone Marrow Biopsy and Aspiration
- Bone Marrow Biopsy and Aspiration. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy. Information from Lab Tests Online.
Bone Scan
- Bone Scan. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Bone Scan. Information from The Royal College of Radiologists.
- Bone Scan. Information from The Prostate Cancer Charity.
- Bone Scan. Information from Cancer Research UK.
Bronchoscopy
- Bronchoscopy. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Having a Bronchoscopy. Information from The British Thoracic Society.
- Bronchoscopy. Information from The British Lung Foundation.
Cardiac Catheterisation
- Cardiac Catheterisation. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Cardiac Catheterisation. Information from Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Cardiotocography
- Cardiotocography. Information from Patient.co.uk.
Cerebral Angiography
- Cerebral Angiography. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Information for patients undergoing an angiogram. Information from the Royal College of Radiologists.
- Complications of angiography. Information from NHS Choices.
Chorionic Villus Sampling
- Chorionic Villus Sampling. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Chorionic villus sampling (CVS): what you need to know . Information from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
- Chorionic Villus Sampling. Information from NHS Choices.
Chromosome Analysis (Genetic Testing)
- Genetic Testing. Information from Patient.co.uk.
Colonoscopy
- Colonoscopy. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Virtual Colonoscopy. Information from St Marks Hospital and Academic Institute.
- Colonoscopy. Information from West Suffolk Hospital.
- Colonoscopy - video. Information from NHS Choices.
Colposcopy
- Colposcopy. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Colposcopy. Information from NHS Choices.
Coombs' Test
- Coomb's Test. Information from Patient.co.uk.
Coronary Angiography
- Coronary Angiography. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Coronary Angiography. Information from The Royal College of Radiologists.
- Angiogram. Information from The British Heart Foundation.
- Angiogram. Information from NHS Choices.
CT Scan
Cystoscopy
- Cystoscopy. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Cystoscopy. Information from NHS Choices.
Cystourethrogram
- Cystourethrogram. Information from Patient.co.uk.
DEXA Scan
DMSA Scan
- DMSA Scan. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Arnold Goes for a DMSA Scan. Information from UK National Kidney Federation.
- DMSA Scan. Information from Southend Hospital.
Duplex Ultrasound Scan
- Duplex Ultrasound Scan. Information from Patient.co.uk.
Echocardiogram
- Echocardiogram. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Echocardiogram. Information from the British Heart Foundation.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Electrocardiogram (ECG). Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Electrocardiogram. Information from the British Heart Foundation.
Electroencephalograph (EEG)
- Electroencephalograph (EEG). Information from Patient.co.uk.
- EEG (Electroencephalogram) . Information from Epilepsy Action.
- Electroencephalography (EEG). Information from Teens First For Health by Great Ormond Street Hospital.
- EEG. Information from NHS Choices.
Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration
- Endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for mediastinal metastases. Information from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence.
- Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial biopsy for peripheral lung lesions. Information from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence.
Endoscopic Ultrasound Scan
- Endoscopic Ultrasound Scan. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Endoscopic Ultrasound Scan (EUS). Information from Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Endoscopy (Gastroscopy)
- Gastroscopy (Endoscopy). Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Gastroscopy. Information from Cambridge University Hospital NHS Trust.
- Endoscoopy. Information from NHS Choices.
ERCP
- ERCP. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography). Information from the British Liver Trust.
- ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography). Information from Cancer Research UK.
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Information from Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate
- Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate. Information from Patient.co.uk.
Exercise Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Exercise Electrocardiogram (ECG). Information from Patient.co.uk.
- ECG. Information from the British Heart Foundation.
- The Exercise Tolerance Test. Information from the Sussex Cardiac Centre.
Faecal Occult Blood Test
- Faecal Occult Blood Test. Information from Patient.co.uk.
Fine Needle Aspiration
- Fine Needle Aspiration. Information from Patient.co.uk.
Full Blood Count and Blood Smear
- Full Blood Count and Blood Smear. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Full Blood Count. Information from Lab Tests Online.
Gallium Scan
- Gallium Scan. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Nuclear medicine Gallium scan. Information from Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust.
- Gallium scan. Information from Southend NHS Hospitals.
- Information about your Gallium Scan. Information from Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust.
Gastroscopy (Endoscopy)
- Gastroscopy (Endoscopy). Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Gastroscopy. Information from Cambridge University Hospital NHS Trust.
- Endoscoopy. Information from NHS Choices.
Genetic Testing (Chromosome Analysis)
- Genetic Testing. Information from Patient.co.uk.
Glucose Tolerance Test
- Glucose Tolerance Test. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Glucose Tests. Information from Lab Tests Online.
Hearing Tests
- Hearing Tests. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Check Your Hearing. Information from Action on Hearing Loss.
- Hearing Tests. Information from NHS Choices.
Hysterosalpingography
- Hysterosalpingography. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- HSG - (Hysterosalpingography). Information from Chelsea and Westminister Hospitals.
- Hysterosalpingography - HSG. Information from Infertility Guidance Service.
Hysteroscopy
- Hysteroscopy. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Hysteroscopy. Information from NHS Choices.
Intravenous Urography (Pyelography)
- Intravenous Urography (Pyelography). Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Information for patients having an intravenous pyelogram (IVP) or an intravenous urogram (IVU). Information from The Royal College of Radiologists.
- IVU (Intravenous urogram) or IVP (IV pyelogram). Information from Cancer Research UK.
Isotope (Radionuclide) Scan
- Radionuclide (Isotope) Scan. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Radionuclide Tests. Information from the British Heart Foundation.
- Radionuclide Tests. Information from Shropshire and Staffordshire Heart and Stroke Network.
Kidney Biopsy (Renal Biopsy)
- Kidney Biopsy (Renal Biopsy). Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Renal biopsy. Information from Edinburgh Royal Infirmary Renal Unit.
- Kidney Biopsy. Information from the UK National Kidney Federation.
Laparoscopy and Laparoscopic Surgery
- Laparoscopy and Laparoscopic Surgery Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Information for you after a laparoscopy Information from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
- Laparoscopy. Information from NHS Choices.
Liver Biopsy
- Liver Biopsy. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Tests for liver cancer. Information from Cancer Research UK.
- Liver Biopsy. Information from North Wales NHS Trust.
- Liver Biopsy. Information from Teens First for Health by Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Liver Function Tests
- Liver Function Tests. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Liver Function Tests. Information from British Liver Trust.
- Liver Function Tests. Information from Lab Tests Online.
- Liver Function Tests. Information from Cancer Research UK.
Lumbar Puncture
- Lumbar Puncture. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Lumbar Puncture. Information from Cancer Research UK.
- Lumbar puncture and intrathecal chemotherapy. Information from Macmillan Cancer Support.
- Lumbar Puncture. Information from NHS Choices.
Mediastinoscopy
- Mediastinoscopy. Information from Patient.co.uk.
MRCP Scan
- MRCP Scan. Information from Patient.co.uk.
MRI Scan
- MRI Scan. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- MRI Scan. Information from the Royal College of Radiologists.
- MRI Scan. Information from the British Brain and Spine Foundation.
- Having an MRI Scan. Information from Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
- MRI Scan. Information from NHS Choices.
Myocardial Perfusion Scan
- Myocardial Perfusion Scan. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Radionuclide Tests. Information from the British Heart Foundation.
- What happens during a myocardial perfusion scan?
? Information from Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust. - Myocardial Perfusion Scan. Information from Poole Hospital NHS Trust.
Nerve Conduction Studies
- Nerve Conduction Studies. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- What is EMG and nerve conduction studies?. Information from the British Brain and Spine Foundation.
- What are nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG)? Information from the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust.
- Electromyographic (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Studies Information from Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust.
Patch Testing for Contact Dermatitis
- Patch Testing for Contact Dermatitis. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Patch Testing Information from British Association of Dermatologists.
PET Scan
- PET Scan. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- PET Scan. Information from Cancer Research UK.
- PET Scan. Information from NHS Choices.
PSA Testing for Prostate Cancer
- PSA Testing for Prostate Cancer. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- What is PSA. Information from Prostate UK.
- Understanding the PSA Test. Information from Macmillan Cancer Support.
- PSA. Information from Lab Tests Online.
Radionuclide (Isotope) Scan
- Radionuclide (Isotope) Scan. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Radionuclide Tests. Information from the British Heart Foundation.
- Radionuclide Tests. Information from Shropshire and Staffordshire Heart and Stroke Network.
Renal Biopsy (Kidney Biopsy )
- Kidney Biopsy (Renal Biopsy). Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Renal biopsy. Information from Edinburgh Royal Infirmary Renal Unit.
- Kidney Biopsy. Information from the UK National Kidney Federation.
Routine Kidney Function Blood Test
- Routine Kidney Function Blood Test. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Kidney and Urinary Tract Function, Disorders, and Diseases. Information from Lab Tests Online.
- Routine Kidney Function Blood Test. Information from Edinburgh Renal Unit.
- Measuring Kidney Function. Information from UK National Kidney Federation.
Screening Tests
Most screening tests are done within the NHS. However, taking up offers of private health screening, outside of the NHS, is becoming increasingly popular. The UK National Screening Committee has published a guide for the public with advice to help people make decisions about private screening tests.
Screening tests offered within the NHS include:
- Antenatal and Newborn Screening
- Fetal Anomaly (including Down's syndrome)
- Pre-natal Screening and Diagnosis of Down's Syndrome. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- The UK NSC policy on Down's Syndrome screening in pregnancy. Information from the UK National Screening Committee.
- Fetal anomaly screening across the UK. Information from the UK Screening Portal.
- Antenatal Screening. Information from Healthtalkonline.
- Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy
- Infectious diseases in pregnancy screening across the UK. Information from the UK Screening Portal.
- Newborn and Infant Physical Examination
- Newborn and infant physical examination screening across the UK. Information from the UK Screening Portal.
- Newborn Blood Spot
- Newborn blood spot screening across the UK. Information from the UK Screening Portal.
- Newborn Hearing
- Newborn hearing screening across the UK. Information from the UK Screening Portal.
- Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia
- Sickle Cell Trait and Sickle Cell Screening Tests. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Sickle cell and thalassaemia screening across the UK. Information from the UK Screening Portal.
- Screening for Sickle Cell and Beta Thalassaemia. Information from Healthtalkonline.
- Fetal Anomaly (including Down's syndrome)
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening across the UK. Information from the UK Screening Portal.
- Bowel Cancer Screening
- Screening for Colorectal (Bowel) Cancer. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Bowel cancer screening across the UK. Information from the UK Screening Portal.
- Bowel Screening. Information from Healthtalkonline.
- Breast Screening
- Breast Screening. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Breast screening across the UK. Information from the UK Screening Portal.
- Breast Screening. Information from Healthtalkonline.
- Cervical Screening (Smear Test)
- Cervical Screening Test. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Cervical screening across the UK. Information from the UK Screening Portal.
- Cervical Screening Test. Information from NHS Choices.
- The Cervical Screening Test. Information from Macmillan Cancer Support.
- Cervical Screening. Information from Healthtalkonline.
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Diabetic Retinopathy. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Diabetic retinopathy screening across the UK. Information from the UK Screening Portal.
Semen Analysis
- Semen Analysis (The Sperm Count). Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Semen Analysis. Information from Lab Tests Online.
Sigmoidoscopy
- Sigmoidoscopy. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Sigmoidoscopy. Information from North of England NHS Cancer Network.
- Diagnosing bowel cancer. Information from NHS Choices
Skin Prick Allergy Test
- Skin Prick Allergy Test. Information from Patient.co.uk.
Spirometry
- Spirometry. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Spirometry. Information from Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Sweat Test
- Sweat Test. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Sweat Chloride Test. Information from Lab Tests Online.
- Having a sweat test. Information from Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.
Synacthen Test
- Synacthen Test. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Addison's Disease. Information from Lab Tests Online.
- Diagnosing Addison's disease . Information from NHS Choices.
Temperature Charts for Ovulation
- Trying to get pregnant. Information from NHS Choices.
Tests for Chlamydia
- What is the chlamydia test? Information from National Chlamydia Screening Programme.
- Focus on Chlamydia. Information from NHS Choices.
- Video: chlamydia testing. Information from NHS Choices.
Tests for Glucose (Sugar) and HbA1c
- Tests for Glucose (Sugar) and HbA1c. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Glucose Tests. Information from Lab Tests Online.
- Postprandial Plasma Glucose Test. Information from Diabetes UK.
Tests for Sexually Transmitted Infections/Diseases
- Tests for Sexually Transmitted Infections. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Information from Lab Tests Online.
- STIs (sexually transmitted infections). Information from NHS Choices.
Thyroid Function Tests
- Thyroid Function Tests. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Thyroid Function Tests. Information from Lab Tests Online.
- Interpretation of Thyroid Function Tests. Information from The Leeds Teaching Hospital.
Thyroid Scans and Uptake Tests
- Thyroid Scans and Uptake Tests. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Thyroid Uptake Measurement. Information from Nuclear Medicine Department, Southend Hospital.
Ultrasound Scan
- Ultrasound Scan. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Ultrasound Scan. Information from Cancer Research UK.
- Ultrasound Scan. Information from NHS Choices.
Urine Tests
- MSU (Mid-stream Specimen of Urine). Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Urinalysis. Information from Lab Tests Online.
Urodynamic Tests
- Urodynamic Tests. Information from Patient.co.uk.
Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS)
- Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS). Information from Patient.co.uk.
X-ray Test
- X-ray Test. Information from Patient.co.uk.
- Information for patients having an x-ray. Information from The Royal College of Radiologists.
- X-ray Test. Information from NHS Choices.