Blood Tests -- Definitive?

[shane.p]

Hey, all

Starting last Saturday, I've been having a lot of abdominal pain after eating anything (usually a few hours after). After a few days of it, I made an appointment. I personally thought it was just an ulcer - I've been really stressed at work and my diet has been anything but spectacular. Anyways, after mentioning the location of the pain (lower abdominal), and telling him I had an aunt and an uncle with Crohn's, that's what he wanted to focus on.

Well, I got my blood tests back, and the doctor left me a message saying they were, "good." I have the results in front of me, just spoke to one of his assistants about it, and they tried to make it clear that these, while not 100% definitive, were likely resulting in my NOT having Crohn's. I got my hopes up, and did a little digging around, here. It seems like blood tests for most of you turned out normal or having very small abnormalities.

Is this true? Do blood tests do any good at diagnosing Crohns, or should I just worry myself until I see a GI?

 

[Trysha]

Normal blood tests do not necessarily rule out Crohns,and it could also depend on which blood tests were ordered.
Since you already have Crohns in the family it may be a good idea to be checked out by a good GI specialist.,who will cover all intestinal tract possibilities.
Hugs and best wishes
Trysha

 

[Manzyb]

No. A blood test doesn't definitively diagnose Crohn's. It can maybe give the doctors an idea if something is going on, but that's not even always the case. I've had Crohn's disease for 12 years, and my blood test (i forget what the test is called where they check you for Crohn's or Colitis), but mine came back negative, but all biopsies have always come back as having Crohn's.

 

[Manzyb]

And... I agree! I believe that you should go see a GI just to get checked out. I hope you get to feeling better!

 

[Miss Underestimated]

Regular blood tests can be completely normal when you have Crohns and other types of IBD. I'd try to get a referral to a GI doc.

 

[David]

Which specific test(s) did you have? Some are more accurate than others.

P.S. Welcome to the forum

 

[monkey]

I've had Crohns for 10 years and never never never have I had a raised CRP . . . thats the reactive protein that flags up when you have an autoimmune disease . . . Yes, it confuses them, but unfortunately bloods DO NOT ALWAYS tie in with whats happening
Good luck!

 

[kem53]

While my daughter was in the hospital with a near bowel obstruction from Crohn's her inflammatory response in blood tests were only slightly elevated. All of her other blood work was normal. I hope you do not have Crohn's but I think you should explore with further testing. If you have only had this pain for a few days, maybe it will be something minor.