Tests & Scans Explained
Search common medical tests, samples, scans and more. This guide explains what tests are usually used for, what preparation may involve, and what questions may be worth asking.
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Understanding Tests & Results
Tests are often used to rule things in or rule things out. A normal result does not always mean nothing is wrong, and an abnormal result does not always mean something serious.
Some tests provide clear answers, while others add pieces to a bigger picture over time. It is reasonable to ask what a test is expected to show, what it cannot show, and what the next step will be after the result.
- MedlinePlus Lab Tests
- Medscape Laboratory Medicine Useful references for understanding what different lab tests measure and how results are usually discussed.
Waiting for Results
Waiting for results can be one of the hardest parts of the process. Timeframes vary depending on the test, the service, and how urgent the result is.
If you are unsure when to expect results, ask who will contact you, how they will contact you, and what to do if you have not heard back by a certain date.
- Patient.info: How to ease worry when waiting for medical test results Practical guidance on coping with uncertainty while waiting.
Can’t find it here?
Search trusted health information sources. This opens search results and does not replace advice from your clinician, therapist, appointment letter, or hospital department.