Before You Order Health Tests: 6-Point Checklist

After working in Australia's health testing industry and reviewing dozens of providers, the same mistakes show up repeatedly among well-meaning customers who order tests without understanding what they’re buying, who will interpret the results, or what happens next. Here’s the checklist that should be used before spending a dollar on health testing to avoid wasted money and confusion.

1. Who Will Actually Interpret Your Results?

This is the question that trips up 90% of customers, because receiving a report full of numbers is not helpful without a plan for interpretation and action.

Ask yourself:

• Will my GP understand these markers ?

• Do I have a naturopath or integrative practitioner who works with these tests ?

• Am I prepared to find new practitioners if my current ones won't engage ?

Reality check: Basic panels such as full blood count, lipids, and liver function are standard GP territory, while advanced hormone panels, organic acids, or micronutrient assessments often require practitioners with additional training to interpret.
Red flag: Any provider suggesting “interpret results yourself” or offering “AI interpretation” without practitioner involvement should be treated with caution.

2. What Evidence Tier Are These Tests ?

Not all health tests are created equal, and tests fall into distinct evidence categories that meaningfully affect practitioner acceptance and downstream care.

• Guideline-Backed: GP-recognised and actionable, including TSH, HbA1c, vitamin D, and lipid profile.

• Context-Dependent: Recognised in some settings but not universally, including reverse T3, homocysteine, and advanced cardiovascular markers.

• Research-Oriented: Popular in functional medicine but with limited mainstream acceptance, including organic acid panels and comprehensive hormone metabolites.

• The key question: Which category does the test fall into, and is that level of acceptance appropriate for the intended use ?

3. What's Your Lab's Accreditation Status ?

In Australia, look for NATA accreditation, which signals quality systems, reliable processes, and test validity beyond marketing claims.

Ask specifically:

• Is the lab NATA-accredited for the tests being ordered ?

• Are results reported with Australian reference ranges ?

• What quality assurance protocols are in place across the workflow ?

Warning sign: Vague references to “high-quality labs” or “international standards” without exact accreditation details are a red flag.

4. What Happens If Something's Abnormal ?

Many providers deliver results but underinvest in support when values are concerning, leaving customers without urgent pathways or escalation.

Essential questions:

• Do you provide urgent result notification for critical values ?

• What’s the process and threshold for critical values ?

• Who do I contact if worried about a result ?

• Do you offer GP referral letters or clinical summaries to accelerate next steps ?

Industry reality: Numerous online providers operate with limited medical oversight and minimal after-sales support, effectively shifting all risk and navigation to the customer.

5. How Does This Integrate With Your GP ?

Integration matters if the plan includes conventional care, follow-up, and prescriptions that rely on practitioner acceptance.

• Will a GP accept and act on these results in standard workflows ?

• Are reports formatted for medical professionals with clear ranges and context ?

• Can a formal referral letter or summary be generated for follow-up ?

• Will a GP understand the clinical context of less conventional markers ?

Pro tip: GP-formatted reports with clear reference ranges and clinical notes are taken more seriously than glossy consumer reports using traffic-light systems that can oversimplify.

6. What Are You Not Being Told About Limitations ?

Every test has limitations, and credible providers discuss these upfront to support informed consent and realistic expectations.

Look for transparency about:

• Sensitivity and specificity limits

• Factors affecting results including medications, timing, and diet

• Situations where results can mislead

• What the test cannot determine or diagnose

Red flags: Claims of a “comprehensive health picture,” promises to “detect everything,” or suggestions that one panel covers all major concerns are misleading and should prompt caution.

The Real Industry Secret

The industry spans a quality spectrum from rigorous clinical-grade testing with medical oversight to marketing-driven operations with minimal quality control, and price often maps to that spectrum.

• Suspiciously cheap testing often cuts corners on lab quality, practitioner support, or both.

• Premium pricing should include better labs, medical oversight, and comprehensive support that shortens time to action.

• Mid-range options can be best value when the evidence tier, lab quality, and support are transparent.

Making Your Decision

Use this checklist as a filter, and avoid providers who cannot clearly answer these questions or who obscure lab partners, oversight, or limitations. The goal is not the cheapest or the most bloated panel but actionable insights with appropriate clinical support mapped to intended decisions.

Next steps

• Research the preferred provider against this checklist and note any gaps for follow-up.

• Identify practitioners in advance who can interpret selected tests credibly and within scope.

• Set expectations for what testing can and cannot tell, particularly for context-dependent or research-oriented markers.

• Plan follow-up strategy and thresholds for retesting before results arrive to avoid delays or anxiety-driven decisions.

Educational information only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; seek appropriate care and call 000 in an emergency.