We have designed Lab Tests Online to comply with the eight principles of the Health On the Net (HON) Code of Conduct for medical and health web sites. The HONcode logo at the bottom of each page reflects our commitment to providing credible medical information. Click on the HONcode logo to learn more.

The HON Code of Conduct lists the following principles:

1. Authority: Any medical or health advice provided and hosted on this site will only be given by medically trained and qualified professionals unless a clear statement is made that a piece of advice offered is from a non-medically qualified individual or organisation.

Lab Tests Online (LTO): All medically-related information on the site has been culled from qualified resources. Sources used are listed at the end of each article.

2. Complementarity: The information provided on this site is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her existing physician.

LTO: Our primary objective is education of the public about laboratory testing in order to facilitate improved doctor-patient communication. We encourage patients and caregivers to learn as much as they can about their health care so that they can become more active partners with their doctors regarding their care. 

3. Confidentiality: Confidentiality of data relating to individual patients and visitors to a medical/health Web site, including their identity, is respected by this Web site. The Web site owners undertake to honour or exceed the legal requirements of medical/health information privacy that apply in the country and state where the Web site and mirror sites are located.

LTO: We fully respect the confidentiality of our visitors. Please review our privacy policy for more detail.

4. Attribution: Where appropriate, information contained on this site will be supported by clear references to source data and, where possible, have specific HTML links to that data. The date when a clinical page was last modified will be clearly displayed (e.g. at the bottom of the page).

LTO: Because this site is designed for patients and caregivers, we have not included references to source data in the text for the sake of readability. We do list sources for each article at the end of the article, and we do keep records of specific references off-line. If there is a question regarding a source for a specific piece of information, please send an email to with your query.

Every page with substantive content includes a page modification date at the bottom of the page.

5. Justifiability: Any claims relating to the benefits/performance of a specific treatment, commercial product or service will be supported by appropriate, balanced evidence in the manner outlined above in Principle 4.

LTO: While we may discuss laboratory tests and treatments in general terms based on currently available scientific literature, we do not advocate or promote specific commercial products or services.

6. Transparency of authorship: The designers of this Web site will seek to provide information in the clearest possible manner and provide contact addresses for visitors that seek further information or support. The Webmaster will display his/her E-mail address clearly throughout the Web site.

LTO: For many of our feature articles, we note the author. Other contributers are listed on our Acknowledgments page. Our Editorial Board has been responsible for reviewing all test, condition, feature, screening, and news pages. Sources and any additional reviewers are provided for all articles. We have not included contact information, however, for specific individuals out of respect for their privacy. Questions may be sent to , as indicated on our site.

7. Transparency of sponsorship: Support for this Web site will be clearly identified, including the identities of commercial and non-commercial organisations that have contributed funding, services or material for the site.

LTO: These organizations are clearly identified on our home page and again on our Partners and Sponsors pages, which include brief descriptions of each organization and a link to its web site.

8. Honesty in advertising and editorial policy: If advertising is a source of funding it will be clearly stated. A brief description of the advertising policy adopted by the Web site owners will be displayed on the site. Advertising and other promotional material will be presented to viewers in a manner and context that facilitates differentiation between it and the original material created by the institution operating the site.

LTO: There is no advertising on the site. Our Sponsors, who provide funding for the site, have provided advice and assistance in promoting Lab Tests Online. They are not involved in the editorial development of the site.