Common Health Questions

Some abbreviations commonly used in medical tests or procedures are explained below. 

• ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) surgery: reconstructed surgery of the knee where new tissue is grafted (attached) onto torn ACL.
• B12: B12 is a vitamin. If you don’t have enough vitamin B12, you may develop vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia.
• BP: blood pressure. This is usually written as one number over another and is measured to detect high blood pressure (HBP or hypertension) and low blood pressure (LBP or hypotension). 
• CT scan or CAT scan: computerised tomography scan. This scan takes a series of X-rays of your body at slightly different angles and joins them together to produce detailed images of the inside of your body. 
• CVS: chorionic villus sampling. This is a test for pregnant women that can detect serious problems with the unborn baby, such as Down's syndrome or cystic fibrosis.
• D&C: dilatation and curettage. This is a minor surgical procedure to remove tissue from the lining of the womb (uterus).
• ECG or EKG: electrocardiogram. This test records the rhythm and electrical activity of your heart to assess your risk of coronary heart disease. 
• EEG: electroencephalogram. This a painless test that records brain activity
• FBC: full blood count. This blood test can assess your general health and check for a range of disorders, including infections. RBC means red blood cell count and WBC means white blood cell count. 
• HbA1c test: this blood test gives an idea of your blood glucose (sugar) levels over time. It’s used to monitor diabetes. 
• HCG test: human chorionic gonadotrophin test. The medical name for a pregnancy test. HCG is a pregnancy hormone that’s found in urine and blood. 
• IVP: intravenous pyelogram (or intravenous urogram - IVU). This is an X-ray study of your urinary system. 
• LBC: liquid-based cytology. This is a new way of preparing the cell sample in cervical screening tests (when a sample of cells from your cervix is taken to test for pre-cancerous cells). 
• LDL/HDL: low density lipoprotein/high density lipoprotein. These are two types of cholesterol found in the blood. You may see these abbreviations if you have blood cholesterol tests. 
• LFTs: liver function tests. These are blood tests to check that your liver is working properly. 
• MRI scan: magnetic resonance imaging scan. This scan uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of your body. 
• MSU: mid-stream urine sample. Collecting a urine sample but not collecting the first part of urine that comes out or the last part. F
• PET scan: positron emission tomography. This scan produces three-dimensional, colour images that show how the tissues inside your body work.
• PSA: prostate-specific antigen. A blood test to detect prostate disorders in men, such as an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer. 
• STI: sexually transmitted infection.
• TFTs: thyroid function tests. Blood tests to check your thyroid gland is working properly. 
• TIBC: total iron-binding capacity. A blood test to detect whether you have too much or too little iron in your body.