The Lab Lowdown
Recognising Thyroid Disorders Starts with the Right Laboratory Investigation
Thyroid dysfunction often presents with non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, unexplained
weight changes, mood disturbances and changes in metabolism, making laboratory testing an
essential component of clinical assessment.
Appropriate thyroid function testing provides valuable diagnostic information, supporting
earlier diagnosis, informed treatment decisions and ongoing patient management.
As healthcare professionals, recognising when thyroid dysfunction may be contributing to a
patient’s symptoms can lead to earlier intervention and improved outcomes.
Learn more about our pathology services at www.togalabs.co.za.
Can Patients Eat Before a Blood Test?
The answer depends on the investigation requested.
While many routine laboratory tests do not require fasting, certain investigations, including
some glucose and lipid assessments, may require specific patient preparation to ensure optimal
analytical accuracy.
Providing clear pre-test instructions helps minimise pre-analytical variables and contributes to
reliable diagnostic results.
At Toga Laboratories, we’re committed to supporting healthcare professionals with accurate
diagnostics, from patient preparation through to result reporting.
Iron Deficiency Isn't Always Obvious
Iron deficiency may present with subtle, non-specific symptoms long before anaemia develops,
making early identification essential for timely intervention.
Common presentations include:
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Cognitive impairment (“brain fog”)
• Shortness of breath
• Headaches
Serum Ferritin remains a valuable marker for assessing iron stores and identifying iron
deficiency before changes are evident on a full blood count.
This Women’s Month, consider Ferritin testin
Better patient outcomes begin with earlier insight.
Health is not defined by a single consultation or laboratory result. It is built through ongoing
assessment, early detection and proactive management.
🛣 Prevention
Routine laboratory investigations support the early identification of disease risk.
🛣 Monitoring
Serial testing provides valuable clinical insight into metabolic, cardiovascular, renal and
hepatic health.
🛣 Management
Laboratory medicine enables clinicians to monitor treatment response and support informed
clinical decision-making.
🏁 The goal is simple: earlier intervention, better outcomes and healthier patients.
At Toga Laboratories, we are proud to partner with healthcare professionals by delivering
accurate, timely and trusted diagnostic information
THYROID AWARENESS
Thyroid disorders remain one of the most commonly overlooked contributors to fatigue, weight fluctuation, mood changes and metabolic imbalance.
Accurate laboratory testing is essential for the early identification of thyroid dysfunction and plays a critical role in guiding treatment decisions and long term patient management.
Reliable thyroid diagnostics support clinicians in delivering informed, proactive care and improving patient outcomes throughout the year.
Make informed clinical decisions with accurate thyroid diagnostics.
Why Cervical Screening Matters
Persistent high-risk HPV infection remains the primary cause of cervical cancer
yet the progression from HPV infection to cervical disease is typically slow, providing a valuable
window for early detection and intervention.
Regular cervical screening, including Pap Smear cytology and HPV DNA testing where
clinically indicated, plays a critical role in identifying pre-cancerous changes before invasive
disease develops.
This Women’s Month, let’s continue encouraging eligible patients to participate in routine
cervical screening and reinforce the importance of preventative healthcare.
August is Women's Month
Women’s Month provides an important opportunity to reinforce the value of preventative
healthcare and evidence-based screening.
Throughout August, Toga Laboratories is pleased to offer special pricing on selected women’s
health investigations, supporting clinicians in the early detection and management of common
conditions affecting women:
• Pap Smear + HPV DNA HR
• Pap Smear
• HPV DNA HR
• Ferritin
From cervical cancer screening to the assessment of iron deficiency, these investigations
provide valuable clinical information that supports earlier intervention and improved patient
outcomes.
We remain committed to delivering trusted laboratory medicine that assists healthcare
professionals in providing the highest standard of patient care.
THYROID AWARENESS
Thyroid disorders remain one of the most commonly overlooked contributors to fatigue, weight fluctuation, mood changes and metabolic imbalance.
Accurate laboratory testing is essential for the early identification of thyroid dysfunction and plays a critical role in guiding treatment decisions and long term patient management.
Reliable thyroid diagnostics support clinicians in delivering informed, proactive care and improving patient outcomes throughout the year.
Make informed clinical decisions with accurate thyroid diagnostics.
Welcome Back
Toga Laboratories is fully operational and ready to support doctors and patients with accurate testing and reliable results from day one.
Make your health a priority as the year begins.
WORLD HEPATITUS DAY
🟡 Hepatitis B and C often go undetected until serious damage is done.
📉 Without testing, many people don’t even know they’re infected.
At TogaLabs, we offer accurate, confidential hepatitis screening to catch issues early and keep your liver healthy.
📍 This World Hepatitis Day, prioritise your liver—get tested.
BACK TO SCHOOL
At TogaLabs, we’re here to help you keep your little ones healthy and ready to learn with these smart, simple habits:
🧼 Wash hands regularly — especially before eating
💨 Cough or sneeze into elbows (not hands!)
🚫 No sharing water bottles, snacks, or lip balm
🙅♀️ Keep hands away from faces — less germs, more smiles!
Healthy habits mean fewer sick days and more fun in the classroom. Let’s start the new term strong—TogaLabs has your back! 🧪💪
SILENT TESTS
“You Feel Fine — But Are You Really?”
Some of the most dangerous conditions don’t shout.
They whisper. Or stay silent entirely.
High cholesterol. Diabetes. Certain cancers.
These don’t always show symptoms until it’s too late.
🧪 A simple blood test could change everything.
Because catching something early could save your life.
At TogaLabs, we help doctors find the answers – even when nothing feels wrong.
VIRAL VS BACTERIAL INFECTIONS
“Same Symptoms. Different Enemies.”
A cough, fever, body aches — but is it viral or bacterial?
🦠 Viral = rest, fluids, time.
🧫 Bacterial = antibiotics, targeted treatment.
Guessing wrong could delay recovery — or do more harm than good.
That’s where lab testing makes all the difference.
Know what you’re fighting.
SARCOMA
Not all cancers start in organs — some begin in the bones, muscles, fat, and connective tissue.
That’s sarcoma: a rare but aggressive form of cancer often missed in early stages because its symptoms can feel like “just a lump” or unexplained pain.
Early detection is key.
Pathology testing, including biopsy and histology, plays a critical role in diagnosing and identifying sarcoma types for precise treatment.
Migraines VS Headaches
Migraines and chronic headaches affect millions — impacting concentration, mood, and quality of life.
But because the symptoms are invisible, they’re often misunderstood or dismissed.
🧠 Sensitivity to light or sound
😵 Throbbing or pulsing pain
🤢 Nausea or visual disturbances
⏱️ Attacks lasting hours — or days
At Togalabs, we support doctors with diagnostic tools that help rule out underlying causes and guide appropriate treatment.
Headaches are real. Migraines are serious. Awareness is the first step to relief.
WINTER WELLNESS
Winter’s Here. Don’t Let Sickness Settle In. ❄️💥
Colder weather can hit your immune system hard — but a few smart moves can keep you on top of your game:
- Arm Yourself
Get your seasonal vaccines. Prevention is power. - Hands Off the Germs
Sanitise. Repeat. Germs hate clean hands. - Feel Off? Stay Home.
Sick days aren’t lazy — they’re responsible. - Eat Like You Mean It
Load up on nutrients and get your 8 hours. Your immune system will thank you. - Move That Body
A brisk walk can boost your mood and your defences.
Still feeling off? 🧪 Don’t guess — test.
A quick pathology check can reveal if it’s viral, bacterial, or something else entirely.
Winter wellness starts with smart choices. Stay sharp. Stay well.