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Procedures & Tests Beginning With H
15 procedures and tests in this guide begin with the letter H. Every name links to a plain-language page covering what the procedure is, how to prepare, what happens during it, and what recovery involves.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W X
| Procedure / test | Category | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Haemodialysis | Kidney & Dialysis | Haemodialysis is a treatment that cleans the blood when the kidneys can no longer do so adequately. Blood flows from the body through a filter (dialyser) on a machine, where waste and excess fluid are removed, and returns cleaned. Most people have sessions of about four hours, three times a week. |
| Haemorrhoid surgery (haemorrhoidectomy) | General Surgery | Haemorrhoidectomy is an operation to remove enlarged haemorrhoids (piles) that protrude, bleed or cause symptoms not controlled by simpler treatments such as banding or medicines. |
| HbA1c and glucose testing (OGTT) | Biopsies & Lab Tests | HbA1c measures average blood glucose over the previous two to three months, from a single non-fasting blood sample, and is the standard test for diagnosing and monitoring type 2 diabetes. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) measures glucose before and two hours after a measured glucose drink — the standard test for diabetes in pregnancy and for impaired glucose tolerance. |
| Heart valve replacement / repair surgery | Heart | Heart valve surgery repairs or replaces a valve that is narrowed (stenosis) or leaking (regurgitation). Replacement valves are either mechanical (man-made) or tissue (from animal tissue), and the choice is discussed with you in advance. |
| Hernia repair (inguinal) | General Surgery | An inguinal hernia repair pushes the bulge in the groin back into place and strengthens the weakened abdominal wall, usually with a mesh patch. It can be done as open surgery or keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery. |
| Hip arthroscopy | Bones, Joints & Spine | Hip arthroscopy is keyhole surgery of the hip joint in which a camera and instruments are inserted while the joint is gently distracted on a traction table. It treats problems such as labral tears and femoroacetabular impingement (extra bone that pinches the joint). |
| Hip fracture surgery | Bones, Joints & Spine | Hip fracture surgery repairs or replaces the broken top of the thigh bone near the hip. Depending on the fracture pattern, treatment is internal fixation with screws or a sliding screw-and-plate, a half replacement (hemiarthroplasty), or occasionally a total hip replacement. |
| Histopathology — how biopsy results are produced | Biopsies & Lab Tests | Histopathology is the laboratory examination of tissue: biopsies and surgical specimens are fixed, processed, sliced into sections thinner than a cell layer, stained, and examined under the microscope by a pathologist, sometimes with special stains, molecular tests and multidisciplinary team discussion. |
| Holter monitor (24–48 hour ECG) | Heart | A Holter monitor is a small portable ECG recorder worn for 24 to 48 hours (sometimes longer) that records every heartbeat while you go about normal life. |
| Hormone blood tests (thyroid, cortisol, reproductive) | Biopsies & Lab Tests | Hormone tests measure levels in blood (sometimes urine or saliva): thyroid hormones (TSH, free T4/T3), cortisol and adrenal tests, reproductive hormones (LH, FSH, oestradiol, progesterone, testosterone, prolactin), parathyroid hormone and vitamin D among others. Timing and context are critical to interpretation. |
| Hydrocele / varicocele repair | Urology | A hydrocele is a collection of fluid around the testicle causing a painless scrotal swelling; repair drains the fluid and turns back or removes the sac so it does not refill. A varicocele is a network of swollen veins above the testicle; repair ties off these veins (or blocks them by embolisation) when it causes pain, testicular shrinkage in adolescents, or contributes to infertility. |
| Hydrogen breath test | Digestive | A hydrogen breath test measures gases in your breath after drinking a sugar solution (such as lactose, fructose or glucose). It helps diagnose sugar intolerances and bacterial overgrowth in the small bowel. |
| Hysterectomy (abdominal / vaginal / laparoscopic) | Women's Health | A hysterectomy is an operation to remove the womb. It may be done through the abdomen (open or keyhole) or through the vagina, and may include removing the cervix, and sometimes the ovaries and fallopian tubes, depending on the reason and your discussions. |
| Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) | Imaging & Scans | A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is an X-ray test in which a small amount of dye is passed through the neck of the womb so the womb cavity and fallopian tubes can be seen and checked for blockages. |
| Hysteroscopy | Endoscopy | A hysteroscopy looks inside the womb using a thin telescope passed through the vagina and the neck of the womb (cervix), without any cuts. It is commonly done in an outpatient clinic. |
Please note: This page is educational information about a medical procedure or test. It does not replace the instructions of your own care team, who know your situation and whose preparation, fasting and medication advice you should follow if it differs from anything here. If you have symptoms that worry you, or an appointment you do not understand, contact your clinical team.