Tests and Procedures
This section provides patients with downloadable material to assist in understanding the collection processes of different pathology tests.
Complete blood examination
A complete blood examination (CBE) is a common blood test, sometimes also referred to as a 'full blood count' (FBC) or 'full blood examination' (FBE).
This test measures a number of blood components but most notably the haemoglobin (to see if you're anaemic), white cell count (germ fighting cells) and platelet count (clotting cells). It is important for diagnosing conditions in which the number of blood cells is abnormally high or low, or to determine if the cells themselves are abnormal.
Patient information brochures
- 24 hour urine test
- Autologous blood collection and transfusion
- Alpha1 antitrypsin test
- Blood transfusion
- Calcium absorption test
- Catecholamines urine test
- Faecal occult blood test
- Faecal collection kit for culture and parasites
- Fasting
- Fasting early morning urine
- Glucose challenge test
- Glucose tolerance test
- Hydrogen breath test
- Micro urine collection
- Platelet aggregation test
- Salivary cortisol collection
- Semen analysis
- Urea breath test
- Urinary 5HIAA collection
- Urinary albumin overnight collection
- Urinary albumin spot collection
Available in other languages:
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Dari
- Greek
- Hindi
- Italian
- Swahili
- Vietnamese
Understanding your pathology tests
Lab Tests Online provides a patient-focussed resource to assist with understanding all aspects of pathology testing including coping with test discomfort or anxiety, the reliability of tests, reference ranges, and also an index of tests and conditions.
The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) Fact Sheets, provide easy to read information on the risks and benefits of pathology testing, and the important role pathology plays in the delivery of health care.