Tests and referrals
Blood tests, results and referrals with an online GP
Start with the question you have now: whether a blood test may help, what a result means or whether specialist advice may be needed. A HerDoc GP can discuss your symptoms, history and next steps with you online.
Can I discuss tests, results or referrals with an online GP?
Yes. A HerDoc GP can order pathology and radiology tests, help you understand results and provide a specialist referral when it is the right next step. You can ask for something specific or talk through your symptoms and ask what the GP recommends.
Online GP appointments for women
Book online, then speak by phone with an AHPRA-registered Australian GP.
GP care that fits women's lives
HerDoc supports general health, women's health and life-stage concerns, where telehealth is suitable.
How it works
Book online
Choose an appointment time that suits you.
Speak with an Australian GP
Talk by phone with an AHPRA-registered doctor. Your GP can provide advice and, where clinically appropriate, discuss prescriptions, certificates, referrals, pathology requests or follow-up guidance during the appointment.
Often suitable for
- General health and mental wellbeing
- Women's health, menopause and perimenopause
- Medication advice and prescriptions
- Medical certificates, referrals and pathology requests
Not for urgent care
HerDoc is not for emergencies, crisis support or symptoms that need immediate hands-on care.
- Chest pain, breathing difficulty or severe symptoms
- Sudden or rapidly worsening symptoms
- Mental health crisis or risk of harm
- Symptoms that need a physical examination
For urgent or severe symptoms, call 000 or seek emergency care.
Start with the question you want answered
You may already know which test or specialist you want, or you may want help working out where to start. Either is fine. You can talk through what you have noticed, how long it has been happening and what you hope to understand.
You might want to discuss:
Your GP may ask about previous results, current medicines and supplements, pregnancy or breastfeeding where relevant, family history and any recent changes. These details help connect the test or referral question to your health rather than treating it as a stand-alone request.
- tiredness, low energy or changes in how you feel
- heavy or changed periods and questions about iron
- thyroid, vitamin B12, vitamin D or hormone-test concerns
- a high, low or borderline result
- whether another health professional should assess your concern
Explore tests and referrals
If you are asking about a blood test
You can ask about a specific test, or talk through your symptoms and concerns and ask the GP what they recommend. Together, you can explore what the test may add, whether another test would answer the question better or whether an examination would be useful first.
When your GP orders pathology or radiology, HerDoc sends the referral electronically through its provider integrations and emails the details to you. Check any preparation instructions before attending; some tests require fasting or particular timing, while others do not. Do not stop medicines or supplements unless a doctor tells you to.
If you already have results
You can upload results from another clinic during intake, ideally as the full report rather than a single screenshot or number. Your GP will also ask why the tests were done and what symptoms or changes you have noticed. They may explain the existing results or recommend another test if it would help answer the question.
A value marked high or low does not explain the cause by itself, and a value inside the reference range does not always explain ongoing symptoms. Your GP can put the report into context and discuss questions to take into the next step.
If you are asking about a specialist
You may already know which specialist or type of referral you want, or you may want the GP to recommend who could help. Either is fine. You can talk through the concern and what you have already tried, and share any relevant letters, scans or results you have.
Your GP can discuss whether a specialist referral makes sense, whether more information would help or whether an examination should come first. If a referral is provided, the doctor creates it and HerDoc emails it to you. You then contact the specialist service to arrange the appointment.
Follow-up starts with a clear plan
Before the appointment ends, ask what happens next and what you need to do. Useful questions include:
Results from HerDoc-requested tests are generally returned to HerDoc. You will be notified when a result arrives, then you can book a separate appointment to review it with a GP. Each HerDoc consultation has its own fee.
- What is the test or referral intended to clarify?
- Is there anything I need to do before the test or appointment?
- How should I arrange follow-up?
- Which changes or symptoms should prompt earlier medical help?
When telehealth may not be suitable
- Severe, sudden or rapidly worsening symptoms
- Symptoms needing immediate testing or close monitoring
- Concerns that require a physical examination before the next step
When to seek urgent care
Some concerns cannot wait for a routine online appointment. Seek urgent medical help for severe, sudden or rapidly worsening symptoms, including chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, stroke signs, fainting, severe bleeding, severe pain or immediate danger. A GP may also recommend in-person care when an examination, immediate testing or close monitoring is needed.
- Chest pain or severe breathing difficulty
- Stroke signs or fainting
- Severe bleeding or severe pain
- Immediate danger
Talk through your test or referral question
Talk with a HerDoc GP about the test, result or referral on your mind and what you want to understand.
FAQs
Can an online GP organise blood tests or pathology referrals?
Yes. A HerDoc GP can order pathology and radiology tests, including blood tests, after discussing your symptoms or concerns with you. You can ask about a specific test, or ask the GP what testing they recommend.
What blood-test questions can I discuss online?
You can discuss why a test may be needed, what to prepare, what a result may mean and what follow-up questions to ask. Bring your symptoms, medicines, previous reports and the reason you are considering testing.
Can I ask about iron, thyroid, B12 or vitamin D tests?
Yes. You can raise iron, thyroid, vitamin B12 or vitamin D concerns with a GP. The GP will consider your symptoms and risk factors before deciding which tests, if any, may be useful.
Can I discuss hormone-test questions online?
Yes. You can discuss menopause, perimenopause or other hormone-test questions online. Your age, symptoms, cycle pattern, medicines and health history can be as important as a single hormone result.
Can a HerDoc GP explain my blood-test results?
Yes. You can upload results from another clinic during intake and discuss them with a HerDoc GP. The GP will consider the report alongside why the test was done, your symptoms and relevant health history, and may recommend another test if needed.
Can an online GP provide a specialist referral?
Yes. A HerDoc GP can provide a specialist referral after discussing the concern with you. The doctor creates the referral and HerDoc emails it to you, then you arrange the appointment with the specialist service.
Who reviews and follows up pathology results?
Results from HerDoc-requested tests are generally returned to HerDoc, and you will be notified when they arrive. You then book a separate HerDoc consultation to review the result with a GP.
Are pathology, collection and specialist fees included in the HerDoc consultation fee?
Each HerDoc consultation has its own fee. Pathology, imaging and specialist services are separate; the provider can tell you whether Medicare applies and whether you may have a fee.
What should I prepare before a pathology or referral consultation?
Prepare your main concern, when it started, current medicines and supplements, relevant history and any previous reports. If you want a named specialist, bring their name and practice details as well.
When do test or referral questions need in-person or urgent care?
They need faster or face-to-face assessment when symptoms are severe, sudden, rapidly worsening or need an examination or immediate testing. Call 000 for an emergency; otherwise seek local medical care based on the symptoms and advice you receive.