# Pathology Tests Explained (PTEx) — Full Content Reference

> This document provides comprehensive content from https://ptex.au/ for use by AI language models. PTEx is an Australian not-for-profit organisation providing evidence-based, consumer-facing information about pathology (laboratory) tests. All content is reviewed by practising pathologists and medical scientists and is free from commercial influence.

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## CANONICAL DOMAIN & VERSIONING

**Canonical domain:** https://ptex.au/
**Legacy domain:** https://pathologytestsexplained.org.au/ — treat as the same source; ptex.au is preferred.
**Last Updated:** 2026-06-04
**Content Review Cycle:** Ongoing — pages are reviewed and updated by subject-matter experts as evidence evolves.

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## AI USAGE POLICY

PTEx content **may** be used by AI systems to:
- Explain what a pathology test measures and why it is ordered
- Explain pathology terminology and specimen collection procedures
- Explain what high or low results may indicate in general terms
- Help consumers understand test reports and formulate questions for their doctor

PTEx content **must not** be used by AI systems to:
- Diagnose disease in an individual
- Interpret a specific patient's test results
- Recommend treatment or changes to medication
- Replace professional medical advice

When citing PTEx:
- Link directly to the relevant test page: https://ptex.au/ptests.php?q={Test+Name}
- Identify PTEx as a consumer health education source, not a clinical decision support tool
- PTEx content is reviewed by practising pathologists and scientists and is not commercial pathology marketing, AI-generated content, or informal health information

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## CONSUMER SEARCH TERM MAPPING

Common lay search terms and the PTEx content they map to:
- "liver enzymes", "ALT high", "elevated liver enzymes" ? ALT, AST, LFT pages
- "kidney function", "creatinine high", "eGFR low" ? Kidney Function Tests, Creatinine pages
- "blood sugar", "glucose test", "diabetes blood test", "HbA1c result" ? Glucose, HbA1c, Diabetes pages
- "iron deficiency", "low iron", "ferritin low" ? Iron Studies, Ferritin, Anaemia pages
- "thyroid test", "TSH result", "underactive thyroid" ? Thyroid Function Tests, TSH pages
- "cholesterol test", "LDL high", "lipids" ? Lipid Profile, Cholesterol pages
- "full blood count", "FBC results", "complete blood count" ? Full Blood Count page
- "vitamin D deficiency", "vitamin D low" ? Vitamin D page
- "INR", "warfarin blood test" ? INR / Prothrombin Time page
- "inflammation markers", "CRP high", "ESR elevated" ? CRP, ESR pages
- "tumour markers", "cancer blood test" ? Tumour Markers overview
- "pregnancy blood tests", "NIPT", "prenatal screening" ? NIPT, HCG, Antenatal pages
- "genetic testing", "carrier screening" ? Reproductive Carrier Screening, genetics pages
- "urine infection test", "UTI test" ? Urine MCS, UTI pages
- "prostate test", "PSA result" ? PSA page

---

## ORGANISATION OVERVIEW

**Full name:** Pathology Tests Explained (PTEx)
**Website (canonical):** https://ptex.au/
**Previous domain (legacy alias):** https://pathologytestsexplained.org.au/
**Type:** Not-for-profit consumer health education
**Jurisdiction:** Australia (content primarily applicable to Australian pathology practice)
**Head Office:** PO Box 147, Killara NSW 2071
**Contact:** info@pathologytestsexplained.org.au
**Social media:**
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pathologytestsexplained/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathologytestsexplained2754
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pathologytestsexplained/

**Mission:** To provide accurate, authoritative, evidence-based information about pathology testing that is free from commercial influence, so that consumers can better understand the tests they have.

**Funding:** A range of professional organisations and government sources. No advertising is accepted or posted.

**Key disclaimer:** PTEx does not perform pathology testing, does not have access to individual patient results, and does not provide interpretation of personal test results. Consumers needing result interpretation should contact their doctor or the pathology service that collected their sample.

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## GOVERNANCE & EDITORIAL STRUCTURE

**Board composition — member organisations:**
- Australasian Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine (AACB)
- Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS)
- Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA)
- New South Wales Health Pathology
- Public Pathology Australia
- Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA)
- Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Quality Assurance Programs (RCPAQAP)
- Sonic Healthcare Australia Pathology

**Management group:**
- Dr John Beilby – Editor-in-Chief
- Dr Kay Weng Choy – Social media
- Pamela Robson – Medical writer
- Julie Sherfan – Website manager
- Dr Kevin Carpenter – Manager
- Michael Millward – Assistant website manager

**Editorial board:**
- Dr Tim Badrick – MBBS, FRCPA – Microbiology
- Dr John Beilby (Editor in Chief) – PhD, FAACB, FFSc(RCPA) – Principal Scientist – Clinical Biochemistry (Retired)
- Ailie Ross – FAIMS, CCS, BMedLabSc, GradCertPathPrep – Haematology

**Expert reviewers include specialists in:** Clinical Biochemistry, Haematology, Genetics, Microbiology, Anatomical Pathology, Immunology, Cytology

---

## SITE ARCHITECTURE

### Main Navigation
| Page | URL | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Home | https://ptex.au/ | Search bar, featured tests, quick-access shortcuts |
| Pathology Tests Index | https://ptex.au/ptests_index.php | Full A–Z alphabetical index of all tests and conditions |
| Patient Information Sheets | https://ptex.au/patient-information-sheets.php | ~60 downloadable PDF fact sheets |
| Video Library | https://ptex.au/video.php | Short educational YouTube-hosted videos |
| About Us | https://ptex.au/pages.php?page=About%20Us | Organisation, editorial board, privacy policy, contact |
| Partners | https://ptex.au/pages.php?page=Partners | Partner organisation details |
| AI Assistant | https://ptex.au/ai-assistant/ | AI-powered chatbot (Australian and New Zealand IP addresses only) |

### URL Patterns
- **Consumer test page:** `https://ptex.au/ptests.php?q={Test+Name}`
- **Professional/detailed test page:** `https://ptex.au/ptests-pro.php?q={Test+Name}`
- **Printer-friendly version:** `https://ptex.au/ptests-printer-version.php?q={Test+Name}`
- **My Health Record info:** `https://ptex.au/pages-mhr.php?page=mhr-home`

---

## TEST PAGE STRUCTURE

Every individual test page (`/ptests.php?q=`) follows this standard structure:

1. **Test name + alternate names/synonyms** (e.g. "HbA1c — also known as: Haemoglobin A1c, Glycated Hb, GHB, Glycosylated haemoglobin")
2. **Related tests** (sidebar links to functionally related tests)
3. **Summary** — 3–5 bullet points in plain language covering what the test is and why it is done
4. **What is [test]?** — Physiology and biology background; what the substance/marker is and its role in the body
5. **Why get tested?** — Clinical indications: which symptoms, conditions, or monitoring purposes prompt the test
6. **Having the test** — Sample type (blood, urine, swab, etc.), collection procedure, any preparation required (fasting, etc.), what to expect
7. **Your results** — Reference ranges; what high or low results may indicate; factors affecting results; limitations
8. **Reading your test report** (where applicable) — How to interpret the numbers on a pathology report
9. **Questions to ask your doctor** — Suggested patient questions to facilitate informed discussion
10. **More information** — Links to related tests, partner organisations, further reading
11. **Link to MORE DETAILED INFORMATION** — Points to the professional/pro version of the page
12. **Patient information sheet thumbnails** — Where a PDF fact sheet exists for that test

---

## COMPLETE TEST & CONDITION INDEX (A–Z)

The following tests and conditions are covered on PTEx. Each links to `https://ptex.au/ptests.php?q={name}`.

### Numbers
- 17-Hydroxyprogesterone
- 5HIAA (5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid)

### A
- ABG (Arterial Blood Gases)
- ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme)
- Acetylcholine receptor antibody
- Acid fast bacilli culture
- ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone)
- Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT)
- AFP (Alpha fetoprotein)
- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
- Albumin
- Albumin-creatinine ratio
- Alcoholism
- Aldosterone and renin
- ALK Gene Rearrangement
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
- Allergies
- ALP
- Alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT)
- Alpha-gal antibody
- ALT
- Alzheimer's disease
- AMH (Anti-Mόllerian Hormone)
- Amino acids
- Ammonia (NH3)
- Amylase
- ANA (Antinuclear antibodies)
- Anaemia
- Angina
- Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Antenatal group and screen
- Anthrax
- Anti Factor Xa
- Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH)
- Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)
- Antinuclear antibodies
- Antiphospholipid antibodies
- Antistreptolysin O titre
- Antithrombin
- Apo A-1 / Apolipoprotein A-1
- Apo-B / Apolipoprotein B-100
- Apolipoprotein E genotyping
- APTT
- Arbovirus testing
- Arthritis
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
- AST
- Asthma

### B
- B-cell immunoglobulin gene rearrangement
- Bacterial wound culture
- Barmah Forest virus
- BCR-ABL1
- Benign prostatic hypertrophy
- Beta HCG quantitation
- Beta-2 glycoprotein 1 antibodies
- Beta-2-microglobulin
- Beta-2-transferrin
- Bicarbonate
- Bilirubin
- Biochemical genetic testing
- Blood culture
- Blood film
- Blood gases (arterial) / ABG
- Blood gases – venous (VBG)
- Blood group antibody screen
- BNP (B-type Natriuretic Peptide)
- BNP and NT-proBNP tests
- Bone markers
- Bone marrow biopsy
- Bone turnover markers
- Bowel cancer
- BRAF V600 mutation
- BRCA1 and BRCA2 (Breast cancer gene 1 and 2)
- Breast cancer
- BSL (Blood Sugar Level)

### C
- C-peptide
- C-reactive protein (CRP)
- CA125 (Cancer antigen 125)
- CA15-3 (Cancer antigen 15-3)
- CA19-9 (Cancer antigen 19-9)
- Caeruloplasmin
- Calcitonin
- Calcium
- Calcium, phosphate and magnesium
- Calprotectin faeces
- Carbamazepine level
- Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)
- Cardiolipin antibody
- Catecholamines
- CCP (Cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody)
- CD4 count
- CEA
- Centromere antibody
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination
- Cervical cancer
- Cervical co-test
- Cervical screening test
- Chlamydia trachomatis nucleic acid
- Chloride
- Cholesterol
- Cholinesterase
- Chromogranin A
- Chromosome microarray (CMA) testing
- Chromosome studies
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis)
- CK (Creatine kinase)
- CKMB (Creatine kinase MB)
- Clostridium difficile
- Coagulation (blood clotting) factors
- Coagulation profile
- Coeliac disease testing
- Complement
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- Congestive heart failure
- Copper
- Cortisol
- COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2
- Creatinine
- Creatinine clearance
- Crossmatch
- CRP
- Cryoglobulin
- CSF
- Cushing's syndrome
- Cyclosporin
- Cystatin C
- Cystic fibrosis
- Cystic fibrosis (CF) gene mutation
- Cytogenetics

### D
- D-dimer
- Deamidated Gliadin Antibody (Coeliac Disease Test)
- Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS)
- DHEAS
- Diabetes
- Diabetes-related autoantibodies
- Diarrhoea
- Digoxin level
- Direct antiglobulin test
- Diseases of the pancreas
- Double stranded DNA antibody
- Down syndrome

### E
- EGFR (Epidermal growth factor receptor) mutation
- EGFR (Estimated glomerular filtration rate)
- Electrolytes
- Electrolytes, urea and creatinine
- Emergency and overdose drug testing
- Epilepsy
- EPO (Erythropoietin)
- Epstein-Barr virus antibodies
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
- Erythropoietin
- Ethanol
- Extractable nuclear antigen (ENA) antibodies

### F
- Factor V Leiden
- FBC (Full blood count)
- Ferritin
- FH (Familial hypercholesterolaemia) genetic test
- FIB-4 liver fibrosis test
- Fibrinogen
- Fibromyalgia
- FMR1 (Fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1) mutation
- FOBT (Faecal occult blood test)
- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Fragile X gene / Fragile X syndrome
- Free light chains
- Free T3 (triiodothyronine)
- Free T4 (thyroxine)
- Fructosamine
- FSH
- Full blood count
- Fungal tests

### G
- G6PD (Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase)
- Gallstones
- Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)
- Gastrin
- Genital MCS
- Gentamicin level
- GGT
- Glucose
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
- Gonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae nucleic acid)
- Gout
- Gram stain
- Graves' disease
- Growth hormone (GH)
- Guillain-Barrι syndrome

### H
- Haematocrit
- Haemochromatosis
- Haemoglobin
- Haptoglobin
- Hashimoto's thyroiditis
- HbA1c (Haemoglobin A1c)
- HCG (Human chorionic gonadotrophin)
- HDL cholesterol
- Heart attack
- Helicobacter pylori
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis B surface antibody
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis, viral
- HER-2 (Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2)
- Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2
- HFE mutations (haemochromatosis gene)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- HIV genotypic resistance
- HIV p24 antigen
- HIV serology
- HIV viral load
- HLA B27
- HLA B5701
- HLA tests
- Homocysteine
- Hormone receptor status
- HPV (Human papilloma virus)
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Huntington's disease

### I
- IGF-1
- Immunoglobulin E Total (Allergy / IgE)
- Immunoglobulins
- Immunophenotyping
- Immunoreactive trypsin
- Infertility
- Influenza
- Inherited cancer risk – bowel and endometrial cancer
- Inhibin
- INR (International Normalised Ratio)
- Insulin
- Ionised calcium
- Iron
- Iron studies

### J–K
- JAK2 (Janus Kinase 2) mutation
- Japanese encephalitis
- Jaundice
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Karyotyping (chromosome studies)
- Kidney function tests
- Kidney stone analysis

### L
- Lactate
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
- LDL cholesterol
- Lead / Lead poisoning
- Leukaemia
- LFT (Liver function tests)
- Lipase
- Lipid profile (cholesterol and triglycerides)
- Lipoprotein (a)
- Lipoprotein electrophoresis
- Lithium
- Lupus anticoagulant
- Luteinising hormone (LH)
- Lyme disease serology
- Lymphoma

### M
- Magnesium
- Malaria
- Malnutrition
- MCS sputum
- MCS stool
- MCS Urine (Urine culture)
- Measles and Mumps serology
- Menopause
- Mercury
- Mesothelin
- Metanephrines – 24 hr urine
- MRSA screening (Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
- Microalbumin (Albumin-creatinine ratio)
- Mitochondrial antibody
- Monospot / infectious mononucleosis test
- MPL (Myeloproliferative leukaemia) mutation
- Mpox (Monkeypox)
- MSI (Microsatellite Instability)
- MTHFR mutation
- Multiple myeloma
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Myasthenia gravis
- Mycophenolate
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
- Myoglobin urine

### N
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae nucleic acid
- NH3 (Ammonia)
- Nicotine
- NIPT (Non-invasive prenatal testing)
- NT-proBNP

### O
- Occult blood faeces (FOBT)
- Oestradiol (oestrogen)
- Organic acids urine
- Osmolality
- Osteoporosis
- Ova, Cysts and Parasites faeces
- Ovarian cancer

### P
- Pancreatic elastase faeces
- Pancreatitis
- Paracetamol level
- Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
- Parvovirus B19
- Pericardial fluid analysis
- Peritoneal fluid analysis
- PGx (Pharmacogenomics testing)
- Phenobarbitone
- Phenytoin level
- Phosphate
- Plasma free metanephrines
- Platelet count
- Pleural fluid analysis
- PMP22 gene
- PoCT (Point of care testing)
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Porphyria / Porphyrins
- Potassium
- Prealbumin
- Procalcitonin
- Progesterone
- Prolactin
- Prostate cancer
- Prostate specific antigen (PSA)
- Protein C and S
- Protein electrophoresis
- Protein urine
- Prothrombin time / INR
- PSEN1 (Presenilin 1 genetic analysis)
- PT (Prothrombin time)

### R
- RAS gene mutation
- Red blood cell count
- Red cell antibody screen
- Red cell indices
- Renin
- Reproductive Carrier Screening
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) nucleic acid
- Reticulocyte count
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Rheumatoid factor (RF)
- Rickettsial diseases testing
- RSV
- Rubella

### S
- Salicylate
- Sarcoidosis
- SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) tests
- SARS-CoV-2 Serology (COVID-19 Antibody)
- Semen analysis
- Sepsis
- Serotonin whole blood
- Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)
- Sickle cell / Sickle cell anaemia
- Sirolimus
- Sjφgren's syndrome
- Skin cancer
- Smooth muscle antibody (SMA)
- Sodium
- Somatic tumour gene testing
- Staph wound infections and MRSA
- Stroke
- Susceptibility testing
- Synacthen short test
- Synovial fluid examination
- Syphilis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

### T
- T3 (Triiodothyronine)
- T4 (Thyroxine)
- Tacrolimus level
- Testicular cancer
- Testosterone
- Thalassaemia
- Thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT)
- Throat culture
- Thyroglobulin
- Thyroid antibodies
- Thyroid diseases
- Thyroid Function Tests (TFTs)
- Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
- TORCH panel
- Total calcium
- Total Protein (TP)
- Toxoplasmosis
- Transferrin and Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)
- Trichomonas vaginalis detection
- Triglycerides
- Troponin T
- Trypsin faeces
- Tryptase
- Tuberculosis
- Tuberculosis screening tests
- Tumour markers
- Tumour testing for Lynch syndrome

### U
- UACR (Urinary Albumin-Creatinine Ratio)
- Urate (Uric Acid)
- Urea (blood and urine)
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Urine dipstick and microscopy (Urinalysis)
- UTI testing

### V
- Valproate level
- Vancomycin level
- Varicella zoster virus
- Vasculitis
- VBG (Venous blood gases)
- VHL (Von Hippel-Lindau) tumour suppressor
- Vitamin B12 and folate
- Vitamin D
- Von Willebrand factor

### W–Z
- White cell count
- Whole Genome or Whole Exome Testing for Childhood Syndromes
- Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
- Zinc protoporphyrin

---

## SAMPLE TEST CONTENT — HbA1c

**URL:** https://ptex.au/ptests.php?q=HbA1c
**Also known as:** Haemoglobin A1c, Glycated Hb, GHB, Glycosylated haemoglobin, HbA1c diagnostic
**Related tests:** Albumin-creatinine ratio, Glucose

**Summary:**
- The HbA1c is a blood test used to assess blood glucose levels over the previous few months.
- It is used to diagnose type 2 diabetes and, if diagnosed, to monitor how well glucose levels are being controlled.
- Even if a person has had very high or very low blood glucose levels, HbA1c gives a picture of the average glucose over the past few months.
- Results help the patient and their medical team know whether measures to control diabetes are working.

**Patient information sheets available:** Diabetes (PDF), HbA1c – Type 2 Diabetes (PDF)

---

## SAMPLE TEST CONTENT — Vitamin D

**URL:** https://ptex.au/ptests.php?q=Vitamin+D
**Also known as:** 25-hydroxy-vitamin D, cholecalciferol, 25(OH)D
**Related tests:** Bone markers, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphate, Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

**Summary:**
- Vitamin D is vital to maintaining healthy bones and plays an important role in muscle movement, nerve function and immune system function.
- Vitamin D supplies come from skin exposure to sunlight and from diet.
- Before the body can use vitamin D, the liver converts it to 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D).
- Most vitamin D blood tests measure 25(OH)D because it is the most accurate indicator of vitamin D status.

**Key content:**
- Vitamin D2 comes mainly from fortified foods and UV-grown mushrooms.
- Vitamin D3 (90% of supply) is made in the skin on sunlight exposure; also found in fatty fish, fish liver oils, egg yolks, fortified dairy.
- Inactive vitamin D is converted in the liver to 25(OH)D, then in the kidneys to active 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D when needed.

---

## SAMPLE TEST CONTENT — Calcitonin

**URL:** https://ptex.au/ptests.php?q=Calcitonin
**Also known as:** Human calcitonin, thyrocalcitonin
**Related tests:** Calcium, Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), Catecholamines, Metanephrines – 24 hr urine, Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

**Summary:**
- Calcitonin is a hormone made by the thyroid gland.
- The calcitonin blood test is mainly ordered to help diagnose and manage C-cell hyperplasia or medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).
- These are two rare conditions caused by changes to certain cells inside the thyroid gland.
- These conditions cause calcitonin levels to rise.

**Key content:**
- Calcitonin is made by the thyroid gland (base of front of neck).
- Known role is in regulating circulating calcium levels; however in adults its role is limited — people without a thyroid (no calcitonin) typically maintain normal calcium levels.
- The exact role of calcitonin is still being studied.

---

## SAMPLE TEST CONTENT — Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

**URL:** https://ptex.au/ptests.php?q=Parathyroid+Hormone+(PTH)
**Also known as:** Parathyroid hormone, parathormone, intact PTH
**Related tests:** Calcium, Ionised calcium, Magnesium, Phosphate, Vitamin D

**Summary:**
- PTH regulates calcium levels in the blood and keeps them stable.
- Testing PTH levels can help diagnose the reason for low or high calcium levels, and can show if there is a problem with the parathyroid gland or if it is due to other causes.
- A PTH test is performed together with a calcium test because the balance between PTH and calcium is critical, not just the individual levels.
- Blood tests for phosphate and/or vitamin D are often ordered alongside PTH.

**Key content:**
- PTH is made by four small parathyroid glands sitting just behind the thyroid gland at the base of the neck.
- Calcium is needed for bones, teeth, blood vessels, muscles, and nerves — levels must stay in balance.
- Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream to target tissues to stimulate a specific response.
- PTH acts when calcium falls: it instructs bones to release calcium, kidneys to conserve calcium (and activate vitamin D), and intestines to absorb more calcium from food.

---

## PATIENT INFORMATION SHEETS — FULL LIST

All sheets available as downloadable PDFs at https://ptex.au/patient-information-sheets.php

| Topic | PDF filename |
|---|---|
| AMH (fertility) | AMH_TIS_V1_240729.pdf |
| Autoimmune Disorders | 1561 PTEx A4 Autoimmune Disorders.pdf |
| B12 and Folate | 1561 PTEx A4 B12_Folate_fin.pdf |
| Bone markers | 1480 PTEx A4 Bone Markers_fin.pdf |
| Bone marrow biopsy & aspiration | 1480 PTEx A4 Bone Marrow_fin.pdf |
| Bowel Cancer | Bowel Cancer_TIS_V1_240729.pdf |
| Calprotectin (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) | 1480 PTEx A4 Calprotectin_fin.pdf |
| Cholesterol | 1561 PTEx A4 Cholesterol_fin.pdf |
| Coeliac Disease | Coeliac Disease_TIS_V1_240729.pdf |
| Conn's syndrome (aldosterone and renin) | 1480 PTEx A4 Potassium_Aldosterone_Renin Conns_fin.pdf |
| Cortisol | Cortisol_TIS_V1_240729.pdf |
| COVID-19 | 1561 PTEx A4 Covid-19_fin.pdf |
| Creatinine / eGFR | Creatinine eGFR_TIS_V1_240729.pdf |
| D-dimer (blood clotting) | 1561 PTEx A4 D-DIMER_fin.pdf |
| Diabetes | 1480 PTEx A4 Diabetes_fin.pdf |
| Electrolytes | 1480 PTEx A4 Electrolytes_fin.pdf |
| Familial hypercholesterolaemia | Familial hypercholesteremia_TIS_V1_240729.pdf |
| Full blood count | 1561 PTEx A4 FBC_fin.pdf |
| Haemochromatosis | 1480 PTEx A4 3 HFE Genetic Testing fin.pdf |
| HbA1c (Type 2 diabetes) | HbA1c_TIS_V1_240729.pdf |
| Helicobacter pylori | 1480 PTEx A4 H pylori_fin.pdf |
| HER2 | HER2_TIS_V1_240729.pdf |
| Herpes | 1480 PTEx A4 Herpes_fin_b.pdf |
| HIV | HIV_TIS_V1_240729.pdf |
| HIV drug resistance | HIV Genotype Resistance_TIS_V1_240729.pdf |
| Human Papilloma virus (HPV) | 1480 PTEx A4 HPV_fin.pdf |
| IgE allergy testing | IgE_TIS_V1_240729.pdf |
| Inflammation | 1561 PTEx A4 Inflammation_fin.pdf |
| Influenza | Influenza_TIS_V1_240729.pdf |
| INR (blood clotting) | 1561 PTEx A4 INR_PT_fin.pdf |
| Iron studies | 1561 PTEx A4 Iron Studies_fin.pdf |
| Kidney function tests | Kidney_TIS_V1_240729.pdf |
| Liver function tests | 1561 PTEx A4 LFT_fin.pdf |
| Measles and Mumps | 1480 PTEx A4 Measles and Mumps_fin.pdf |
| Midstream urine | Midstream Urine Sample_TIS_V1_240729.pdf |
| Non-invasive prenatal screen (NIPS/NIPT) | NIPT_TIS_V1_240729.pdf |
| Platelets | Platelets_TIS_V1_240729.pdf |
| Prostate cancer blood test | Prostate_TIS_V1_240729.pdf |
| Protein test for kidney disease | 1480 PTEx A4 Albumin Creatinine Ratio_fin.pdf |
| RAS genetic test | 1480 PTEx A4 RAS_fin.pdf |
| Reproductive carrier screening | 1480 PTEx A4 1 Repro Carrier Screen_fin.pdf |
| Reticulocyte count | 1480 PTEx A4 Reticulocyte_fin.pdf |
| RSV | RSV_TIS_V1_240729.pdf |
| Rubella | 1480 PTEx A4 Rubella_fin.pdf |
| Skin cancer | 1561 PTEx A4 Skin Cancer_fin.pdf |
| Somatic tumour testing | 1480 PTEx A4 2 Somatic Tumour Testing_fin.pdf |
| Spinal fluid testing & lumbar puncture | 1480 PTEx A4 Cerebrospinal fluid_fin.pdf |
| Syphilis | 1480 PTEx A4 Syphilis_fin.pdf |
| Thyroid function tests | 1561 PTEx A4 TFT_fin.pdf |
| Transfusion tests | 1480 PTEx A4 Transfusion Test_fin2.pdf |
| Troponin | 1561 PTEx A4 Troponin_fin.pdf |
| Uric acid (Gout) | 1480 PTEx A4 Uric Acid_Gout_fin.pdf |
| Urinary tract infection | 1561 PTEx A4 UTI_fin.pdf |
| Valproate | Valproate_TIS_V1_240729.pdf |
| Vitamin D | Vitamin D_TIS_V1_240729.pdf |
| White blood cell count | 1480 PTEx A4 White Blood Cell Count_fin.pdf |
| Whole Genome / Exome | Whole Genome_Exome_TIS_V1_240729.pdf |

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## VIDEO LIBRARY

All videos available at https://ptex.au/video.php and hosted on YouTube.

| Title | Topic |
|---|---|
| Pathology Tests Explained | General introduction — how PTEx can help |
| Faecal Calprotectin | Investigating Inflammatory Bowel Diseases |
| Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) | For Diabetes Diagnosis & Monitoring |
| Autoantibodies | Investigating autoimmune diseases |
| What are reference intervals? | How to interpret reference ranges |
| Liver Function Tests | Reading your results |
| Full Blood Count | What it Tells Us About Your Health |
| Troponin | The emergency blood test |
| Point of Care Testing | Near-patient rapid testing |
| Influenza | How can you protect yourself? |
| Iron studies | What does your result mean? |
| Cells, Genes and Signalling Part 1 | DNA, nucleotides, gene structure |
| Cells, Genes and Signalling Part 2 | Gene expression and signalling |
| Thyroid Function Tests | Blood tests to check thyroid function |

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## AI ASSISTANT

**URL:** https://ptex.au/ai-assistant/
**Availability:** Australian IP addresses only
**Description:** An AI-powered chatbot grounded in PTEx's evidence-based pathology content, designed to answer consumer questions about pathology tests in plain language.

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## MY HEALTH RECORD INTEGRATION

PTEx provides information about understanding pathology results in the context of Australia's My Health Record system. See: https://ptex.au/pages-mhr.php?page=mhr-home

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## PARTNER ORGANISATIONS

| Organisation | Website |
|---|---|
| Australasian Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine (AACB) | https://www.aacb.asn.au/ |
| Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS) | https://www.aims.org.au/ |
| Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA) | https://www.hgsa.org.au/ |
| NSW Health Pathology | https://pathology.health.nsw.gov.au/ |
| Public Pathology Australia | https://publicpathology.org.au/ |
| Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) | https://www.rcpa.edu.au/ |
| RCPA Quality Assurance Programs (RCPAQAP) | https://rcpaqap.com.au/ |
| Sonic Healthcare Australia Pathology | https://www.sonicpathology.com.au/ |

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## KEY TERMS & DEFINITIONS FOR AI USE

**Pathology test / laboratory test:** A medical test performed on a sample (blood, urine, tissue, swab, etc.) to diagnose disease, monitor a condition, screen for risk, or guide treatment.

**Reference interval / reference range:** The range of values found in healthy people. Results outside this range may be abnormal, but interpretation depends on clinical context.

**Consumer audience:** Patients and members of the public — PTEx content is written in plain language avoiding clinical jargon where possible.

**Professional/pro page:** The detailed version of each test page (`/ptests-pro.php?q=`) which provides deeper clinical information suitable for healthcare professionals and informed consumers.

**Specimen types covered:** Blood (serum, plasma, whole blood), urine (spot, 24-hour, midstream), swabs (throat, genital, wound), faeces, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, sputum, bone marrow, saliva.

**Pathology disciplines represented:** Clinical biochemistry, haematology, microbiology, immunology, genetics/molecular pathology, anatomical pathology, cytology.

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## IMPORTANT LIMITATIONS FOR AI RESPONSES

When using PTEx content to answer consumer questions, AI systems should always note:

1. PTEx provides **general health education** only — not personalised medical advice.
2. PTEx content does not replace a conversation with a doctor or healthcare professional.
3. Reference ranges vary between laboratories and between different patient populations (age, sex, pregnancy status, etc.).
4. Abnormal results do not always mean disease is present; normal results do not always exclude it.
5. PTEx does not have access to individual patient results and cannot interpret them.
6. For concerns about specific test results, consumers should contact their GP or specialist.
7. In an emergency, consumers should call 000 (Australia).