What Test Should Be Done for Crohn's Disease?

If your doctor suspects you have Crohn's disease, more than one test may be ordered. Other names for Crohn's disease are ileitis and enteritis. Your doctor may recommend a biopsy test for Crohn's disease.

Blood Test and Specimen for Crohn's Disease

• A blood test for Crohn's disease will tell the doctor if you have anemia.
  Inflammation of the bowel from Crohn's disease can cause bleeding that can lead to anemia. A simple blood test will tell your health care provider if more complex or invasive testing is needed.
  Another blood test for Crohn's disease includes performing a white blood cell count. An elevated white blood cell count can tell the doctor if you have a bowel infection.
  You may need to provide a stool specimen. Examination of stool (bowel movement) provides more information and can be an important test for Crohn's disease to see if there is bleeding or infection.
  Crohn's disease can cause ulcers in the bowel that lead to bleeding and anemia, making it important for your doctor to order more than one test to help with a diagnosis.

Biopsy Test for Crohn's Disease

• A biopsy of the intestine is another test used for Crohn's disease. A very small piece of intestinal tissue is removed from the lining of the intestine. The tissue sample is then examined under a microscope to see if the cells are normal. Inflamed cells that might indicate Crohn's disease have a different appearance from healthy intestinal tissue.

Visual Test Can Reveal Complications of Crohn's Disease

• A visual test can provide a diagnosis of Crohn's disease. Under sedation, a flexible tube attached to a monitor screen is inserted rectally to directly visualize the colon. If the lower part is examined, the test is called a sigmoidoscopy--the sigmoid colon is in the lower part of the intestine. A visual test of the entire length of the intestines is called a colonoscopy, and is considered more important because a larger area is seen.
  During a visual test for Crohn's disease, inflammation, swelling, ulcers, and fistulas (tunnels) might indicate the presence of Crohn's disease with complications. The severity and symptoms of Crohn's disease vary among individuals.

X-Ray Test Shows Inflammation of Crohn's Disease

• A Barium swallow is an X-ray test that can be done for Crohn's disease, also known as an upper GI series. Barium is a chalky substance that coats the lining of the stomach and intestines. Barium is white, and shows up easily on X-ray. If inflammation or other abnormalities show up on the X-ray test for Crohn's disease, more studies may be ordered.

Considerations

• It is important to work with your doctor to diagnose Crohn's disease. More than one test should be performed. Crohn's disease can range in severity from mild to complicated. Deciding which test should be done for Crohn's disease will depend on the results of your history and physical exam, and may also depend on blood tests and other preliminary findings.