Who this service is for
This consultation for requesting tests is indicated for adults who:
- Want to do a routine check-up and need a medical order for the appropriate preventive tests for their age group and risk profile
- Have expired tests — complete blood count, blood glucose, cholesterol, TSH — and need to renew them without booking an appointment with a specialist
- Need a request for a specific test recommended by another doctor but who does not yet have the formal request
- Want to monitor a chronic condition — diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism — with follow-up tests between appointments with the specialist
- Need an order for imaging tests — X-ray, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography — to investigate a specific complaint
- Want to investigate symptoms — persistent tiredness, hair loss, weight gain — with targeted laboratory tests
- Are foreigners or expats in Brazil who need a test request in Portuguese to be carried out in Brazilian laboratories
- Need tests for health insurance, employment, public examination or another administrative purpose
What is included in the consultation
Clinical assessment before the test request
The doctor carries out a complete clinical assessment before issuing any test request — evaluating symptoms, health history, current medication, available previous tests, and the purpose of the tests. This ensures that the requested tests are clinically justified and appropriate for the individual profile — avoiding unnecessary tests and ensuring that the most important tests are not overlooked.
Personalized test request
Based on the clinical assessment, the doctor issues a personalized test request — with the most appropriate tests for your profile, age group, symptoms and health history. The request is issued with ICP-Brasil digital signature, valid in private laboratories and imaging clinics throughout Brazil.
Preparation guidance
The doctor provides guidance on the preparation required for each test — fasting, stopping medications, hydration, and other specific care — to ensure that the results are valid and reliable.
Review of previous results
If you have previous tests available, send them before the consultation. The doctor reviews the results and considers the previous findings when defining the most appropriate panel of tests.
Interpretation of results — follow-up consultation
After receiving the results, you can schedule a follow-up consultation so that the doctor can interpret the findings in the full clinical context and advise on the next steps.
Types of tests that can be requested
Laboratory tests — clinical analyses
General and preventive check-up:
- Complete blood count
- Fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)
- Lipid profile — total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides
- Kidney function — urea, creatinine, glomerular filtration rate
- Liver function — AST, ALT, gamma-GT, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubins
- Thyroid function — TSH and free T4
- Complete blood count and ESR
- C-reactive protein (CRP)
- Uric acid
- Vitamin D (25-OH vitamin D)
- Vitamin B12 and folic acid
- Serum iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation
- Urinalysis (EAS)
Female hormonal profile:
- FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone
- Total and free testosterone
- Prolactin
- AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) for ovarian reserve assessment
- DHEA-S
Male hormonal profile:
- Total and free testosterone
- Total and free PSA
- FSH, LH
Inflammatory markers and autoimmunity:
- ANA (antinuclear factor)
- Rheumatoid factor
- Anti-CCP
- Complement C3 and C4
- ANCA
STI screening:
- HIV
- Syphilis (VDRL and FTA-ABS)
- Hepatitis B (HBsAg, Anti-HBs, Anti-HBc)
- Hepatitis C (Anti-HCV)
- Herpes HSV 1 and 2
- HPV — colposcopy and cytopathology are in-person, but the doctor provides guidance on screening
Tumor markers — when clinically indicated:
- PSA (prostate)
- CEA (colon)
- CA 125 (ovary)
- AFP (liver)
- CA 19-9 (pancreas)
Tumor markers are not routine screening tests for the general population — the doctor assesses the indication based on history and individual risk factors before ordering them.
Imaging tests
- X-ray — chest, spine, joints and others
- Ultrasound — abdominal, pelvic, thyroid, breast, musculoskeletal, vascular
- Magnetic resonance imaging — spine, knee, shoulder, brain, abdomen and others
- Computed tomography — when clinically indicated
- Echocardiogram — cardiac assessment
- Mammography — breast cancer screening according to age group and risk
- Bone densitometry — osteoporosis assessment
Other tests
- Spirometry — lung function
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) — basic cardiac assessment
- 24-hour Holter — ambulatory cardiac monitoring
- ABPM — ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
Check-up by age group — what to request at each stage of life
The doctor advises on the most appropriate panel of tests for each age group and risk profile — but as a general reference:
Young adults (18-39 years)
Complete blood count, blood glucose, lipid profile, thyroid function, vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron and ferritin, urinalysis. STI screening when indicated. For women — cervical cytopathology from age 25 according to INCA recommendation.
Middle-aged adults (40-59 years)
All of the above, plus: kidney and liver function, PSA for men over 45-50 years with individualized discussion, mammography for women from 40-50 years according to medical guidance, blood glucose and HbA1c more frequently if there are risk factors for diabetes, more complete cardiovascular assessment.
Adults over 60 years
All of the above, plus: bone densitometry especially for women, cognitive assessment when indicated, screening for neoplasms according to history and risk factors, vitamin D assessment and supplementation when necessary.
These are general references — the doctor defines the exact panel of tests based on your individual profile, family history, current medication, and present symptoms.
Private tests in Brazil — how it works
In Brazil, any laboratory or imaging test can be performed in the private system with a medical order — without the need for SUS referral or health plan authorization.
Private laboratories
Networks such as Fleury, Dasa, Hermes Pardini, Lavoisier and hundreds of regional laboratories perform laboratory tests with a private medical order. The order issued by the Global Health doctor is accepted at any private laboratory in Brazil.
Imaging clinics
X-ray, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography can be performed in private imaging clinics with a medical order. The cost varies significantly between regions of Brazil — with more affordable options available outside the major capitals.
Health plan coverage
If you have health insurance, check whether the test request issued by a private doctor is accepted for reimbursement or direct coverage. Policies vary between providers — some plans cover tests with a request from any doctor with CRM, others require a credentialed doctor.
Requesting tests for foreigners and expats in Brazil
For foreigners and expats in Brazil, requesting tests presents specific challenges:
Test names in Portuguese
Laboratory tests have names in Portuguese that may be different from the international equivalents. The doctor issues the request in Portuguese — suitable for any Brazilian laboratory — and can explain the correspondence with the names you know in your home country.
Tests not available in Brazil
Some tests common in other countries are not available in all Brazilian laboratories. The doctor provides guidance on availability and alternatives when necessary.
Interpretation of results in Portuguese
Brazilian test results come in Portuguese with reference values that may differ from international ones. The doctor interprets the results in the follow-up consultation and explains the findings in English or Spanish when necessary.
International health insurance
Many international health insurance plans reimburse tests performed in Brazil with a medical request and invoice. The doctor issues the request and the platform provides documentation for reimbursement purposes.
