Diagnostic Tests for Crohn's disease

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Diagnostic tests for Crohn's disease:

A complete evaluation and history and physical by a qualified health care professional will determine the type and severity of Crohn's disease you have and the most appropriate and effective treatment plan for you.

Diagnostic testing can include a complete blood count, which can help reveal if you are losing blood in your bowel movement and if you have become anemic (an abnormally low number of red blood cells). Radiological testing may include an upper GI series. This test takes X-ray pictures of your small intestine after you drink barium, a solution that helps to illuminate abnormalities in the small intestine. A sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy may also be ordered. These tests allow a physician to see the linings of the intestines using a probe that sends picture to a computer screen.

Crohn's disease: Diagnostic Tests

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Crohn's disease includes:

Physical examination
Complete blood count - for anemia and white blood cell counts
Stool sample analysis
Upper GI series - barium X-rays
Lower GI series - barium X-rays
Colonoscopy
Biopsy - as part of colonoscopy

Home Diagnostic Testing

These home medical tests may be relevant to Crohn's disease:

Colon & Rectal Cancer: Home Testing
- Home Colorectal Cancer Tests
- Home Fecal Occult Bleeding Tests
Food Allergies & Intolerances: Home Testing:
more tests »

Tests and diagnosis discussion for Crohn's disease:

A thorough physical exam and a series of tests may be required to diagnose Crohn's disease.

Blood tests may be done to check for anemia, which could indicate bleeding in the intestines. Blood tests may also uncover a high white blood cell count, which is a sign of inflammation somewhere in the body. By testing a stool sample, the doctor can tell if there is bleeding or infection in the intestines.

The doctor may do an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series to look at the small intestine. For this test, the patient drinks barium, a chalky solution that coats the lining of the small intestine, before x-rays are taken. The barium shows up white on x-ray film, revealing inflammation or other abnormalities in the intestine.

The doctor may also do a colonoscopy. For this test, the doctor inserts an endoscope--a long, flexible, lighted tube linked to a computer and TV monitor--into the anus to see the inside of the large intestine. The doctor will be able to see any inflammation or bleeding. During the exam, the doctor may do a biopsy, which involves taking a sample of tissue from the lining of the intestine to view with a microscope.

If these tests show Crohn's disease, more x-rays of both the upper and lower digestive tract may be necessary to see how much is affected by the disease. (Source: excerpt from Crohn's Disease: NIDDK)