Getting Tested

Overview

Getting tested means having a simple medical check — like a blood test, a urine sample, a swab, a scan or a screening test — so your doctor can learn more about what is going on inside your body. Tests do not tell you what you have on their own. They give clues that your doctor puts together with your symptoms, your history and a physical exam. Some tests look for the cause of a problem you already feel. Others check how well a long-term condition is being managed. And some are done when you feel completely well, to find problems early.

Very common. Millions of tests are done in general practice every year, from routine blood checks to swabs for infections. Almost everyone will have some kind of test at some point.

Anyone can need a test, at any age. Babies may have newborn screening, children may have swabs or blood tests, adults may have screening or tests for new symptoms, and older adults often have regular tests to monitor long-term conditions such as blood pressure, diabetes or kidney health.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Symptoms that last longer than expected, such as a cough, tiredness, pain or a change in bowel habits
• A fever or infection that is not settling
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
• Unusual bleeding, bruising or lumps
• Feeling breathless, dizzy or having a racing heartbeat
• Changes in skin, hair or nails
• Feeling low in mood, anxious or not sleeping
• A routine review of an ongoing condition, even when you feel fine

Symptoms in children

• A high temperature that will not come down, or a child who seems floppy or very sleepy
• Poor feeding, fewer wet nappies, or not drinking
• A rash that does not fade when pressed
• Persistent crying, ear pain, or a sore throat that lasts more than a few days
• Slow growth, delayed development, or concerns raised at a developmental review
• Routine checks such as newborn blood spot screening or vision and hearing checks

Symptoms in older adults

• New confusion or a sudden change in memory or behaviour
• Falls, unsteadiness or new weakness
• Unexplained weight loss or a loss of appetite
• Increasing breathlessness or swelling in the legs
• Needing regular blood tests for medicines or long-term conditions
• Screening invitations, such as bowel, breast or cervical screening, depending on your local service

Causes

Main causes

• You have symptoms and your doctor wants to find out why
• You are being screened for a condition before any symptoms appear
• You have a long-term condition and need regular monitoring
• You are starting or reviewing a medicine and your doctor wants to check it is safe for you
• You need a check before an operation, a pregnancy or a procedure
• A test is required for travel, work, school or insurance
• You have a family history that makes testing worthwhile

Risk factors

• A family history of a condition such as heart disease, diabetes or certain cancers
• Getting older, as many conditions become more common with age
• Smoking, drinking more than recommended, or using recreational drugs
• Being overweight or not being physically active
• Working with chemicals, dust or other hazards
• Having an existing long-term condition
• Taking medicines that need regular blood checks
• Coming from a community where a particular condition is more common

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• You have any symptom from the emergency or urgent lists above — call your local emergency number or seek same-day care
• A test result has come back and you have been told to contact the clinic quickly
• You feel very unwell, are getting worse fast, or cannot keep fluids down
• You have new chest pain, sudden breathlessness or a sudden severe headache

Book a routine appointment if:

• You have a symptom that has lasted more than two or three weeks
• You want to know whether a test or screening is right for you
• You have received a screening invitation and are unsure what to do
• You are worried about a family history of a condition
• You need a routine review of a long-term condition or a medicine
• You have been sent a test kit in the post and have questions about using it

Diagnosis

Testing usually starts with a conversation. Your doctor will ask what you have noticed, how long it has been going on and what makes it better or worse. They may examine you and then suggest tests based on what they find. Sometimes a test is done straight away in the practice, like a urine dipstick or a swab. Other samples are sent to a laboratory, and images like X-rays or scans are done in a hospital or imaging centre. Your doctor then puts the results together with everything else they know about you and explains what it means.

Tests that may be done

• Blood tests — a small sample from a vein, or a finger-prick drop, used to check things like blood count, blood sugar, kidney and liver function, vitamins and thyroid levels
• Urine tests — a sample you collect in a pot, used to check for infection, sugar, protein or blood
• Stool tests — a sample used to look for infection, inflammation or hidden blood
• Swabs — a soft cotton bud gently rubbed on the throat, nose, skin or another area to look for infection
• Breathing tests — you blow into a machine to measure how well your lungs are working
• Heart tracing — small sticky patches on your chest record your heartbeat
• Imaging — X-rays, ultrasound or scans that create pictures of the inside of your body
• Screening tests — regular checks such as cervical screening, bowel screening or breast screening, depending on your local programme
• Referral tests — a specialist may suggest a small sample of tissue (a biopsy) or a camera test to look inside the body

What to expect at your appointment

Most tests are quick and cause only mild discomfort. A blood test feels like a sharp scratch and lasts a few seconds; afterwards you may have a small bruise. Some tests ask you not to eat for a few hours beforehand, or to bring a sample with you. Results can take anything from a few minutes to a couple of weeks, depending on the test. Ask when to expect yours and how you will hear about it. If you have not heard by then, it is completely reasonable to phone and ask. You can also ask for a copy of your results and for them to be explained in plain words.

Treatment

A test is not a treatment — it is a step that helps you and your doctor choose the right one. After your results, there are usually a few possible paths: nothing needs doing and you can be reassured; some lifestyle changes or a medicine might help; or you may need more tests or a referral to a specialist. Your doctor should explain the options and the reasons behind them, and you should feel able to ask questions or take time to think.

Self-care at home

• Write down your symptoms, questions and current medicines before your appointment
• Follow any preparation instructions carefully, such as fasting or avoiding certain foods
• Keep a simple note of results you have had and when
• Ask for results in plain language, and ask what they mean for you specifically
• Keep up with routine reviews if you have a long-term condition
• Look after the basics — sleep, food, movement and cutting back on smoking or alcohol — as this helps many tests come back healthier
• If waiting for results makes you anxious, plan something distracting and tell someone you trust

Medical treatments

What happens next depends entirely on what the test shows. Your clinician might recommend watchful waiting, changes to your daily habits, a medicine prescribed and monitored by your own doctor, treatment for an infection, or a referral to a specialist team. Any medicine should be started, changed or stopped only with your prescriber, who will also tell you whether you need follow-up tests to check it is working safely.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is only considered when tests suggest it is the best option for you. If that happens, you would be referred to a specialist surgeon who would explain the benefits and risks and answer your questions before anything goes ahead.

Living with this condition

Waiting for a test or a result can feel like a long, unsettled time. It helps to keep your normal routine going, tell someone close to you what is happening, and set a reminder to follow up on the date you were given. If you have a long-term condition that needs regular monitoring, putting appointments in a calendar or phone reminder makes them much easier to keep.

Lifestyle tips

• Keep moving in whatever way suits you — a daily walk counts
• Eat regular meals with plenty of vegetables, beans and whole grains
• Cut back on smoking and keep alcohol within your country's recommended limits
• Get enough sleep and take breaks when you can
• Keep a simple symptom diary if something is being monitored
• Bring someone with you to appointments if it helps you remember what was said

Diet and exercise

Some tests, such as certain blood tests or a glucose test, need you to fast for several hours beforehand. Always follow the instructions you are given, and tell the clinic if you have diabetes or take food-dependent medicines. Outside of test preparation, gentle regular activity and balanced meals help many results improve and support your overall health.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

It is very normal to feel worried before a test or while waiting for results. Many people find their mind jumps to worst-case scenarios. Try to keep the wait contained — set aside a short time to think, then gently turn your attention to something else. Talk to a friend, family member or your doctor about how you feel. If worry is affecting your sleep, appetite or daily life, please tell your doctor, and if you ever feel unable to cope or have thoughts of harming yourself, contact your local crisis line or emergency services straight away — support is available and you deserve it.

Prevention

You cannot avoid ever needing a test, and you would not want to — tests are one of the ways medicine keeps people well. What you can do is make testing work better for you: attend when invited, keep appointments, prepare properly, and ask questions so you understand your own results.

Vaccines

Vaccination is not a test, but some tests check whether you are protected against infections, and some appointments combine both. Your local health service can tell you which vaccinations you are due, based on your age, health and where you live.

Screening programmes

Screening means testing people who feel well, to find problems early when they are easier to treat. Many countries run programmes for cervical, breast and bowel cancer, and some offer checks for conditions such as diabetes or an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Invitations are based on your age, sex and risk. If you receive an invitation and are unsure, ask your doctor or nurse to talk it through with you.

Complications

If left untreated

• A condition might be found later, when it is harder to treat
• An infection could get worse or spread
• A medicine might not be working safely without anyone noticing
• A long-term condition could quietly get worse
• You may carry ongoing worry about a symptom that a simple test could have settled

Long-term outlook

Most tests come back normal or show something that is easy to manage. When a result does need action, finding it early is usually a good thing — it gives you and your doctor more choices and more time. Whatever your result, there is almost always a next step, and your healthcare team is there to walk through it with you.

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