New tests for Crohns and ulcerative colitis

[sammybeggs]

I was in pathology the other day getting more blood tests and noticed a huge poster saying "new tests for CD and UC" so picked up a leaflet and wanted to share this information!
So they say if you're getting the symptoms your GP can refer you to pathology for one or more of the following tests:
-stool culture to look for bacterial infection
-egg and parasite examination of the stool
-clostridium difficile to detect toxin created by infection
-faecal occult blood test to look for blood count in the stool
-stool white blood cell count to detect immune cells in faeces
-coeliacs disease tests
-ESR to detect inflammation
-CRP to look for inflammation
-full blood count to check for anaemia
-ELFT electrolyte imbalance due to diarrhoea

So I am still undiagnosed as I'm on the waiting list for colonoscopy and endoscopy (they said ill be waiting 10 months!) so I wondered if anyone has been diagnosed through these new tests? It seems to good to be true for the low cost of $75 and no cameras in places you don't want cameras! But nevertheless very exciting for someone in my position!
I will be discussing these options with my GP tomorrow.
(This is Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology, Australia, I'm not aware if other countries are doing this)

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

You are right, this sure sounds interesting! I'm afraid though, usually if something sounds too good to be true it usually is. Asking your doctor would be the best idea before deciding to fork over any money for this. I hope you'll find some answers soon. :hug:

 

[mish2575]

It sounds, to me, like all those tests are to rule out other causes and check for markers (inflammation) but I believe they would still need to do the scopes to be certain.

 

[LodgeLady]

I had most of that testing done. The only test that came back positive for Crohn's was a colonoscopy with a positive biopsy result.

 

[UnXmas]

It sounds, to me, like all those tests are to rule out other causes and check for markers (inflammation) but I believe they would still need to do the scopes to be certain.

This is what I was thinking. E.g tests for coeliac don't tell you if you have Crohn's or UC or not. Tests for inflammation don't tell you if you've got Crohn's or UC.

These look like tests which would be performed on someone displaying symptoms that could indicate Crohn's or UC or which could indicate some other gastro condition.

Which of the tests listed are new? Are any of them specific for Crohn's or UC? Because otherwise these tests would either determine a diagnosis other than Crohn's/UC in a patient displaying the symptoms (e.g. a positive coeliac test), or they would provide information which would help indicate whether Crohn's/UC is likely or not (e.g. tests for inflammation, tests for blood in stool), which would then still require endoscopy, colonoscopy, etc. to finalise the diagnosis.