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Medical services
Guide to Medical Examinations
Our doctors provide necessary referrals for specialist screening and explain how to prepare for each examination.
Laboratory tests
- Blood test: no prior booking required; fast for 10-12 hours, drink only plain water, avoid smoking, heavy meals and vigorous activity before the test.
- Tell the nurse beforehand if you are prone to fainting, dizziness or nausea during blood draws.
- Urine test: screens for urinary tract infections, kidney disorders, diabetes and metabolic conditions. Provide a clean-catch sample in a sterile container.
- FOBT: stool test for microscopic bleeding. Avoid raw fruit and vegetables, red meat and vitamin C before the test.
- OGTT: requires prior laboratory booking, takes approximately 2.5 hours and is performed only in selected PREVEDIG laboratories.
Imaging and specialist examinations
- X-ray: prior booking is usually not necessary. Bring your referral and Czech insurance card if you have one.
- Ultrasound: booking is required. It is harmless, painless and non-invasive and usually takes 10-20 minutes.
- Abdominal ultrasound: avoid food and drinks other than non-carbonated water or unsweetened tea for at least 8 hours before the appointment.
- Kidney, bladder and pelvic ultrasound: arrive with a fuller bladder; do not urinate for 2 hours before the appointment and gradually drink 0.5-0.75 litres of liquid.
- CT scan: booking is necessary. It is a painless, non-invasive test often used to assess digestive and urinary systems, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys and brain.
- MRI: booking is necessary, usually without specific preparation. It does not use X-rays and provides information about soft tissues.
Other examinations
- DEXA scan: booking is needed; do not take calcium or iron supplements 24 hours before the appointment.
- 24-hour blood pressure Holter: booking is necessary. You wear a digital monitor and cuff for 24 hours and keep a diary.
- Lactose tolerance test: similar to OGTT, with blood taken five times after fasting and then every 30 minutes.
- Echocardiography: heart ultrasound; booking is required, no preparation is needed.