When you visit a general internist, either for a yearly “well visit” or for a health problem, your physician will generally perform one or more diagnostic tests to assess your current health status and determine the cause of any medical problems you may have. Click a test to learn more.

History and Exam
Your physician will maintain an up-to-date, detailed account of your current and past health problems. He or she will also perform periodic physical exams to assess your health status.

Blood and Urine Screenings
Based on recommended screening or your symptoms, your physician will have your blood drawn so that it can be analyzed as a measure of your health. You may also be asked to give a urine sample for similar analysis.

Medical Imaging
If warranted, your doctor may request that you undergo an imaging procedure that can produce a picture of your internal organs, tissues, nerves, or vasculature.

Biopsy and Microbial Culture
If your physician is concerned that you have an infection or an abnormal growth of cells in your body, he or she may take a sample of some kind to have analyzed by a pathologist or to sent to the infectious disease lab for a culture to be performed.

Genetic Testing
If you are interested in learning more about your specific genetic risk for medical conditions, you and your internist can order genetic tests which allow the internist to interpret your individual risk based on your own DNA.