What Is the Purpose and Use of Diagnostic Testing?

The primary purpose of diagnostic testing is to detect a disease, its outlook, and its spread throughout the body.

Diagnostic tests are used widely worldwide to detect diseases, their outlook, and their spread in the body.

Diagnostic testing is utilized for the following purposes:

1. Identification
2. Once your doctor evaluates your signs and symptoms, takes your medical history, and performs a physical examination, they will want to know the cause of your symptoms—whether it is a specific disease or a byproduct of your disease process (e.g., proinflammatory body state is often seen as a byproduct of diabetes).
3. They will want to confirm a suspected condition or exclude other conditions by ordering diagnostic tests. Early detection through diagnostic tests can help your doctor start prompt treatment and halt the progression of the disease.
4. Even if no specific condition is causing your symptoms, your doctor can suggest following some prevention tips based on your lifestyle and risk factors.
5. Monitoring
6. After you have been diagnosed with a particular medical condition/disease, your doctor may recommend a wait-and-watch approach. This approach is adopted for disorders such as fibroids and certain types of cancer like prostate cancer.
7. Your doctor will monitor your condition by asking you to undergo tests like ultrasound or computed tomography scan and calling you for regular follow-ups. They may also order diagnostic tests to assess the effectiveness of a particular treatment on your disease.
8. Screening
9. A screening test is done to detect potential disorders or diseases in people who do not have any symptoms of the disease. You can ask your doctor if you are eligible for a screening test for conditions such as breast cancer.
10. Your doctor can tell you if you should undergo one depending on your risk factors for the disease. Screening tests allow for early detection of the disease so that it can be promptly treated with appropriate interventions and lifestyle changes.
11. Prognosis
12. A diagnostic test can help your doctor assess the progression of your disease and predict your life expectancy.

What are the most commonly used diagnostic tests? 11 tests

1. X-rays
2. X-rays involve projecting electromagnetic waves, a type of radiation, on specific areas of the body to create pictures of the inside.
3. They are commonly used to detect fractures, osteoarthritis, and chest infections like pneumonia.
4. Mammograms
5. A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast used to look for early signs of breast cancer. It can detect breast cancer up to three years before it can be felt.
6. To perform a mammogram, your breasts are placed on the flat surface of a mammogram machine and pressed by another flat surface of the same machine from above. This step is repeated to take side views of your breast. You may experience slight pain or discomfort lasting only a few moments during the procedure.
7. Bone density scan (DEXA scan)
8. A bone density scan is a type of low-dose X-ray test that helps show the strength and thickness (bone density or mass) of your bones. It is used to detect osteoporosis.
9. Osteoporosis is the thinning and brittleness of bones that commonly occurs with aging and after menopause, especially after age 65 years. Individuals with osteoporosis are at greater risk for fractures, especially in the hips, spine, and wrists.
10. Magnetic resonance imaging
11. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses high-energy magnetic and radio waves to create detailed images of organs and tissues in the body.
12. It can produce 3D images and cross-sectional images of various angles. MRI is commonly used for identifying problems in ligaments, the brain, and the spinal cord.
13. It can detect conditions such as ligament tears, brain tumors, and spinal canal narrowing (spinal stenosis).
14. Computed tomography scan
15. A computed tomography (CT) scan uses a machine that moves over a section of the body, taking a series of X-rays from different angles. It helps create cross-sectional images (slices) of tissues such as bones, blood vessels, and soft tissues. CT scans provide more detailed images than plain X-rays.
16. CT scans can aid in diagnosing conditions like bone tumors, infections, internal injuries, bleeding, blood clots, and various diseases or conditions including cancer.
17. Ultrasound scan (sonography or diagnostic medical sonography)
18. Diagnostic ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves and a small device known as a transducer to generate images of organs and blood vessels. The transducer is moved over or placed inside the body.
19. Ultrasound is used for diagnosing various conditions such as gallbladder disease, appendicitis, kidney stones, thyroid problems, breast lumps, prostate disorders, varicose veins, pregnancy (monitoring fetal growth), uterine fibroids, and ovarian cysts.
20. Electrocardiogram
21. An electrocardiogram (ECG) involves placing electrodes over your chest to check your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity. The electrodes detect the electrical signals produced by your heart with every heartbeat. These signals are recorded and printed on paper, providing information about irregular heartbeats.
22. ECG is used in emergency situations to quickly detect heart problems such as heart attacks. It is also used as the primary imaging test to identify heart problems.
23. 2D-Echocardiography
24. 2D-Echocardiography (2D-Echo) uses sound waves to assess the heart’s function and structures. It helps doctors identify heart valve problems like mitral stenosis and detect blockages in coronary arteries or damage to heart muscles.
25. It also measures the efficiency of heart pumping.
26. Blood tests
27. Blood tests are routinely used in clinical practice and can be nonspecific (e.g., complete blood count) or specific (e.g., thyroid function tests).
28. Different types of blood tests include complete blood count (CBC), liver and kidney function tests, blood sugar levels, lipid profile tests (including cholesterol and triglyceride levels), HIV tests, and bleeding and clotting time.
29. Biopsy
30. A biopsy involves removing a piece of tissue or sample of cells from the body for laboratory analysis. It is used as a confirmatory test for cancer, identifying whether a cell is cancerous or noncancerous.
31. Endoscopy
32. Endoscopy uses a long, thin, flexible tube with a lighted camera at one end (endoscope) to view the inside of an organ. It creates images displayed on a television screen.
33. Endoscopes can be introduced through the mouth, anus, or a small cut in the abdomen, depending on the organ to be viewed. Examples include gastroscopy, colonoscopy, bronchoscopy, hysteroscopy, and cystoscopy.
34. Endoscopy can detect problems such as gastritis, stomach ulcers, intestinal ulcers and blockages, and organ tumors.