Blood Test for Crohn's Disease

Crohn’s disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that is diagnosed through several different types of tests. Blood tests are part of the diagnostic process.

Considerations about Blood Tests

• Blood tests can provide information that is helpful in diagnosing Crohn’s disease, though they do not necessarily indicate the condition is present. Further testing is required.

Checking for Antibodies

• People with IBD have certain antibodies (proteins that attack harmful substances) in their blood. Blood tests can determine whether they're present and what type of IBD they have. While these antibodies can help diagnose Crohn’s disease, not everyone who has IBD has them in their blood.

Anemia

• Many people with Crohn’s disease develop anemia due to bleeding in the intestines. Your doctor will perform a blood test checking your red blood cell count.

Infection and Inflammation

• Blood tests that reveal a high white blood cell count point to inflammation and infection somewhere in the body. This can indicate Crohn’s disease.

Other Tests

• Besides blood tests, your doctor will need to examine your colon and small intestines and check your stool for blood. You might require a barium enema, imaging tests and/or a colonoscopy among other things to check out your intestinal tract.