INVESTIGATIONS
- Blood Tests - Urine & Stool Samples - Ultrasounds - Smear Tests
- Mammograms - Swabs & Tissue Samples - Dopplers - X-Rays - ECG's
RESULTS
As you can see there are a great many tests that might be done, all
of
them taking various times to produce results. It may mean therefore,
we have results for some of your tests while still waiting on others.
Normally results can take from 7 - 10 working days to be sent back
and reviewed by a clinician.
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A Public Resource on Clinical Testing
This link covers Tests, Conditions &
Diseases and Screening
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All blood tests should be initiated by a Doctor or
Nurse unless it is a warfarin
blood test. In which case, please let the receptionist know when you
book your appointment.
We have phlebotomy clinics at the Medical Centre several times each week.
These are all in the mornings, so that the samples can be taken to the hospital
laboratory at lunchtime. Most tests can be carried out in house, but you will
be
asked to make an appointment at The Wealdstone Centre if you need a Glucose
Tolerance Test. Location details for The Wealdstone Centre will be
given to you
along with instructions for the Glucose Tolerance Test.
The address of the Wealdstone
Centre is
It is where the Wealdstone Library is located.
The types of blood test and the department they will be sent to.
Haematology
FBC:- Full blood count, to test for anaemia and leukaemia
Paul Bunell:- to check for possible Glandular Fever
ESR:- to highlight a possible problem, but will not indicate
specific problems
and further tests may be required. Sometimes used to monitor patients
taking steroids.
CRP:- can be used to highlight a possible inflammation.
Biochemistry
Glucose:- CAN BE A FASTING BLOOD TEST:- to check for possible diabetes.
Glucose Tolerance Test at The Wealdstone Centre: this can be requested by the doctor or nurse, following an abnormal glucose test, to confirm or rule out diabetes.
HbA1C:- to check on diabetes control
Us+Es: Urea
Creatinine- Potassium & sodium:- tests for kidney function
LFTs- Bilirubin, Alkaline phosphatase or ALP, ALT, GGT, AST,
Albumin:- tests liver function
TFTs:- Thyroid function tests
PSA:- tests done for possible prostate problems
Cholesterol & Triglycerides:- Tests done to check the level of cholesterol and other fats in your blood
Urate:- can sometimes indicate possible gout
FSH Follicular Sex Hormones & LH Luteinising Hormone:- used in
the
diagnosis of menopause although results of this test alone are not conclusive.
Calcium and Adjusted Calcium phosphate levels:- testing your "bones"
INR International Ratio:- Used to monitor Warfarin
You may be referred to the practice nurse to have Doppler readings taken if
you are experiencing any problems with your legs. This may include cold feet,
pain when exercising, rest pain, swollen ankles, ankle staining, eczema,
cramps,
postural discomfort and leg ulceration.
Doppler ultrasound is used to determine arterial insufficiency. A Doppler
machine
is a small hand held machine, about the size of a remote control, with a small
pencil-like probe, which will touch your skin. The machine amplifies sounds
from
your blood vessels.
The procedure takes about 20 minutes. You do not have to do anything to
prepare for this procedure. However, if you have painful legs it may be
advisable
to take some pain relief half an hour before your visit. The nurse needs access
to both arms and legs and so it may be wise to wear loose fitting clothes. You
will be required to remove your shoes, socks, and/or stockings. Both arms and
legs are tested to give a full assessment of artery pressures to all your
limbs, as
there may be different readings on each leg/arm.
You will be asked to lie quietly, as flat as you are able, for 20 minutes
before the
test. A blood pressure cuff is applied to your arms and legs. On
your arms it is
placed above the elbow, and on your legs just above the ankles. A small
amount of gel is placed on the inside of each of your elbows, and then on each
foot and ankle at the pulse points. The probe of the Doppler is placed on
the jelly
and the nurse will locate your pulses; it is not uncommon for it to take a
little
while to locate all your pulses, so don't worry if it takes a little longer
than you
are expecting. The blood pressure cuff is pumped up for a short period
and then
it is slowly let down again. The nurse will explain if it needs to be
repeated.
From these readings the nurse is able to calculate the "ankle brachial
pressure
index" for both legs - this is a comparison of the blood pressures taken
from
your arms and legs. The ratio given will indicate whether there are any
problems
with the arteries in your legs. The nurse will advise you on the readings
and may
refer you back to the general practitioner or to a specialist nurse.
You may be referred by a doctor to have an ECG. It can be done
at the
surgery by one of our nurses. Please book a double appointment at
reception
and let them know it is for an ECG.
An ECG is a test to record your heart's electrical activity and rhythm; it
can
also be used to identify certain structural abnormalities. It is the most
common
test of the heart and is used to help your doctor decide whether you have a
heart problem or not.
For the test wires with sticky pads are put on your chest and attached to
the
recording machine. The pads and wires transmit a record or your heart rhythm
through the machine on to paper. It is important to keep as still and relaxed
as possible, as any little movement can upset the result. The test takes
about five minutes and it is not painful or uncomfortable.
The ECG is a very safe test; there are no known risks.
The NHS Breast Screening Programme provides free breast screening
every three years for all women in the
registered with a GP will receive her first invitation to attend for a
mammogram at her local breast screening unit some time between her
50th and 53rd birthdays. She will then be invited every three years until
her 65th birthday.
There are over 90 breast screening units across the
an average population of around 45,000 women each. Women are invited
to a specialised screening unit, which can either be mobile, hospital-based
or permanently based in another convenient location such as a shopping
centre.
Breast screening is a method of detecting breast cancer at an early stage.
The first step involves an X-ray of each breast - a mammogram - which is
taken while carefully compressing the breast. The mammogram can
detect small changes in breast tissue which may indicate cancers which
are too small to be felt either by the woman herself or by a GP.
Cervical smear tests should be arranged
with one of the nurses on
day 14 of you cycle. Day one is the first day of bleeding,
a double appointment will be necessary for this.
For details concerning Cervical Screening and info about
Preventing Cancer of the Cervix visit Leaflet6.
Your clinician may decide to take a swab or tissue sample for analysis.
The doctor may ask you to have an ultrasound for a
number of reasons.
MSU:- Midstream urine test, sample pots can
be collected from reception and
should be handed back before 2pm. Depending on who has requested this
sample and why, it may be tested in the surgery by one of the nurses or
sent to Microbiology at Northwick Park Hospital.
Stool samples:- Pots for stool samples can also be collected from
reception
and should be handed back before 2pm. These will be sent to Microbiology at
Results for these tests can take some time, as the sample may be cultured to
determine an infection and an effective treatment regime.
If it is thought necessary for you to have an X-Ray, the doctor will
refer you to the local hospital.
For X-Rays other than chest X-rays,
each weekday afternoon from 1 - 7pm.
More detailed information for
available on http://www.nwlh.nhs.uk/
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