Testosterone use in older males

Research Update: Testosterone use and cardiovascular risk in older males

In the previous edition of Best Practice Journal, we covered...

Prescribing testosterone in ageing males: why you shouldn’t read this article

Testosterone supplementation may be an appropriate treatment...

Is point-of-care CRP testing useful in guiding antibiotic prescribing in patients with respiratory tract infections?

Point-of-care CRP testing may help primary care clinicians to...

Factors that can affect laboratory investigations

In 2013 we published an article entitled “Best tests?” (Best...

The New Zealand Laboratory Schedule and Test Guidelines: haematology tests

The New Zealand Laboratory Schedule has been created to provide...

Investigating myalgia in patients taking statins

Muscle pain (myalgia) and weakness is experienced by up to 10%...

The New Zealand Laboratory Schedule and Test Guidelines: Biochemistry tests

A new laboratory test schedule and accompanying referral guidelines...

Hazardous substances series: Pyrethroid toxicity and its management

Contributed by Dr Michael Beasley and Dr Wayne Temple, National...

The New Zealand Laboratory Schedule and Test Guidelines: What does it mean for general practice?

In October, 2013, a new laboratory test schedule and accompanying...

“Oh and while you are here...”: Fasting may be unnecessary for lipid testing

A growing body of evidence and expert opinion suggests that...

Laboratory investigation of exposure to metals or other hazardous substances in the environment

On occasion, General Practitioners will encounter a patient...

Which test should I use to diagnose type 2 diabetes?

This report presents how testing for diabetes has changed since...

What your lipid test means for you

This A4 printable patient information sheet is designed to help...

When to use fasting glucose to diagnose people with type II diabetes

Until recently, fasting plasma glucose, and in some situations,...

Testing serum cobalt and chromium in people with metal-on-metal hip replacements

Metal-on-metal hip replacements and resurfacings are associated...

Sick and tired of being tired and sick: laboratory investigation of glandular fever

Glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis) is a common, potentially...

Looking back, looking forward: key messages 2005 – 2011

This report highlights four key prescribing and laboratory testing...

The new role of HbA_1c in diagnosing type 2 diabetes

A position statement released by the New Zealand Society for...

News in brief: HbA_1c reporting and diabetes resources

As of 1 October 2011, laboratories are reporting HbA1c results...

Routine laboratory testing during pregnancy

Most general practitioners no longer offer lead maternity care...

Making sense of serum protein bands

Serum protein bands (monoclonal gammopathy) will sometimes be...

Should I still use both CRP and ESR when investigating temporal arteritis?

CRP alone is the best test for temporal arteritis. This...

The role of thrombophilia testing in general practice

Testing for thrombophilia is rarely indicated in general practice...

Testing patients with diabetes

Examines HbA1c and albumin/creatinine ratio testing rates for...

Investigating mercury toxicity

Although there are many potential sources of exposure to mercury...

HbA_1c targets in people with type 2 diabetes - do they matter?

Maintaining good glycaemic control reduces the risk of microvascular...

Appropriate use of tumour markers

The key role for tumour marker tests is in managing patients...

Investigating the Gut: Pernicious anaemia

There are a number of causes of low vitamin B12 levels with...

Investigating the Gut: Coeliac disease

Tissue transglutaminase antibodies are the most useful preliminary...

Investigating the Gut: Inflammatory bowel disease - the role of faecal calprotectin

Clinical assessment of intestinal inflammation can be problematic....

The role of troponin testing in primary care

Troponins have overtaken the traditional ‘cardiac enzymes’,...

Changes to laboratory reporting of HbA_1c

A short article covering changes in HbA1c test reporting from...

TSH vs FT4: Reminder

A summary of the key messages from the thyroid campaign and...