Our Services
We operate with highly experienced pathologists, specialists and scientists in a number of fields. Our outstanding collection staff offer a quick and convenient specimen collection experience to our patients in our collection centres. We also offer home visits for patients who are not mobile enough to attend our collection rooms.
We've compiled some of the most commonly asked questions we come across. If we haven't answered your particular question here, or you think it would help others if we included something we have missed simply let us know and we'll make sure it's included.
Can I take my medication before my blood test?
Generally speaking you can continue to take your medication as per usual leading up to your tests, however some tests do require that you withhold medication. Usually tests that require the medication to be withheld will be testing that medication itself. If you are not sure what to do with regard to your medication, you should seek advice from your Doctor.
Yes. It is entirely your choice as a patient to go to any pathology collection centre you choose. You can bring any request form to any of our collection centres.
It depends on which test you are having. If you are unsure, it is best to ask your doctor.
We offer home visits to patients who require them for a medical reason. Home visits are a service we offer to assist housebound patients who are not able to attend one of our collection centres. If you would like more information about our home visit service, please call 13 42 98.
The majority of our tests are performed in-house, but we do refer some tests to other labs. Our target is to perform the most convenient and thorough service in the shortest possible time. Performing most of our tests in-house enables us to complete your testing in a very short time. Referring some tests to other labs means we can service all of the tests on your request form from one collection. This is all part of our effort to provide you with fantastic service.
To get a blood test you will need to do the following:
- See a doctor to get a request form
- Come to one of our collection centres to have your sample taken
- Return to your Doctor to get your results
Your sample can be stored overnight if necessary. If you are doing this, it is important to ensure that:
- You screw the lid on tightly
- Place the sample jar in a sealed bag
- Place the sealed bag inside the specimen bag
- Keep the whole package refrigerated
Turn around times vary depending on the tests requested and the testing procedures, but the information below can be used as a general guide: Most blood test results will be available the same day the blood is taken. Tests for bacterial culture and some viral tests may take 2-3 days to process. Tests for fungal culture and some serologies can take 4-8 weeks due to the slow growing nature of the organisms.
A fasting blood test is a test where the results can be heavily impacted by your diet. If your Doctor asks you to fast for a test it means they want to know about your results on an empty stomach. This means you are not allowed to eat or drink anything except for water for 8-12 hours before your test.
If your test, your Doctor, or your form says N.B.M or Nil By Mouth, then your fasting instructions will be different. There may be restrictions on your food, water, medication, brushing teeth, smoking and more. Please consult your doctor if you are unsure.
After your sample is collected it will be picked up by one of our couriers and brought back to the lab for processing. Once the tests are complete your sample will be stored in our lab for approximately 7 days from the date of collection incase your doctor asks for any more tests to be done on it. Once the storage time has elapsed or your sample has expired it will be destroyed and discarded.
Our national office is located at 1 Lucknow Road, North Ryde NSW. We have local laboratories in NSW, QLD and VIC which service our 800 collection centres across the three states and growing. Please click on our Pathology Collection Services Locations tab on our Home Page to find a collection centre near you.
4Cyte collection rooms are located throughout NSW, VIC & QLD. For details about your local collection centre, please refer to our locations page.
4Cyte is a bulk billing pathology company - so it is very unlikely that you will get a bill. If you are having a test that Medicare or your health fund do not cover, you will be notified before the testing is performed.
