Doctors can’t treat what they can’t see: why lab tests are important

Teniola and I went to the hospital a day after she started feeling unwell. The doctor sent her to the laboratory for some test.

As we were leaving the consulting room, Teni said to me “I’m not going to the lab, it’s probably just malaria because of the symptoms I’m experiencing, so why should I go through the stress.

I tried to convince her but she didn’t change her mind.

Teniola went to the pharmacy to get malaria treatment, and took it as was prescribed by the pharmacist.

Two weeks later Teniola’s illness worsened, many said she was overworked, others said it was a woman sickness—pregnancy???

She took herbal teas, took time off work and rested more but no improvement.

She was rushed to the hospital and test were run on her.

 Guess what?

Teniola’s laboratory results showed she had severe iron deficiency— anemia— which means her hemoglobin levels were dangerously low and might have gone unnoticed, until it became an emergency.

Often times we tend to believe we know what is going on in our system, simply because we have been told that whatever is happening to us on the outside, is actually a representation of what is going on inside. Ignoring what is silently happening on the inside.

Symptoms like fatigue, fever and or pain are caused by a dozen of conditions.

Conditions that only a laboratory test can provide clarity on and help doctors make prompt and right diagnosis.

Modern medicine relies heavily on accurate diagnosis, and laboratory tests are critical to that process. While symptoms and physical examinations provide essential clues, they often do not tell the full story. Laboratory test — including blood, urine, stool, and tissue analyses — reveal what lies beneath the surface, allowing doctors to “see” the underlying causes of illness.

Without lab tests, diseases such as diabetes, infections, cancers, kidney failure, or anemia can go undetected or misdiagnosed. For instance, a patient may complain of fatigue — a vague symptom that could result from anything from iron deficiency to thyroid problems. Only a lab test can pinpoint the exact issue, ensuring the right treatment is given. Early detection through lab tests often means better outcomes and lower treatment costs.

Moreover, laboratory tests help monitor the progress of a disease or response to treatment. For example, HIV patients need regular viral load and CD4 count tests to assess how well antiretroviral therapy is working. Diabetics need blood glucose checks to manage their condition effectively. These tests guide clinicians in adjusting medications, changing treatment strategies, or recommending further interventions.

Public health also depends on laboratory testing. During disease outbreaks, labs identify the causative agents and track their spread. This information guides emergency responses and helps prevent wider transmission.

In short, laboratory testing is not a luxury — it is a necessity. It transforms invisible threats into diagnosable conditions and empowers doctors with the knowledge they need to act. As the saying goes, “Doctors treat, but labs diagnose.” Ensuring access to reliable and timely lab services is critical to effective healthcare delivery and better health outcomes.

So, before you go to that over-the-counter medicine seller to get that drug to treat what you think you are suffering from, consult your doctor, go for that laboratory test for early detection, diagnosis and treatment of that hidden condition, before you become another mortality statistic.

Early detection saves lives

Don’t wait until it’s too late!

Teniola’s story is not uncommon, and it’s a reminder, don’t ignore your body’s signals and don’t rely on assumptions.

The author is a laboratory scientist at the Ghana Mission Hospital at Dzodze, Volta Region.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.