What tests are used to confirm the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease?
The diagnosis of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis is sometimes delayed as the same symptoms can occur with other diseases. It is usually necessary to exclude diseases such as bowel infections or the irritable bowel syndrome. Blood tests are useful to look for anaemia (low blood count) and to measure the severity of inflammation. They can also detect vitamin or mineral deficiencies. A faeces (bowel motion) specimen may be required to exclude infection. Most people require an examination of part of the bowel, either by direct inspection through a flexible tube inserted through the back passage (colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy) or mouth (gastroscopy), or by x-rays, include CT scan and barium small bowel series (where dye swallowed and x-rays taken). There is no one test that can reliably diagnose all cases of IBD, and many people require a number of tests.
