Reasons to investigate
- confirm/clarify diagnosis based on history and examination e.g. thyroid function tests if symptoms
- exclude unlikely but important and treatable disease e.g. ESR if suspect polymyalgia rheumatica
- monitor effects and side-effects of treatment e.g. follow-up blood count for pernicious anaemia
- screening asymptomatic patients e.g. cervical cytology
- reassure patient who has cause for anxiety e.g. rheumatoid factor when mother has RA
- convince patient to change lifestyle e.g. liver function tests in heavy drinker
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