Diagnosis

Blood Tests & Samples

Your doctor may order diagnostic testing to look for signs of IBD and rule out other possible medical conditions. Your first tests will probably include laboratory tests of your blood and poo.

Stool (faeces) samples can be dropped off at the phlebotomy department on C Floor in the outpatients building at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital (Opening Hours Monday-Friday 7:30am-5:15pm) or to your GP practice if you live in South Yorkshire.

The samples must be contained in a ‘stool pot’ which can be obtained from your GP practice if you haven’t already been provided with one from the hospital.

Endoscopy

Your doctor may recommend an endoscopy to get a detailed look at the inside of your colon using a small camera mounted to the end of a lighted tube.

A colonoscopy allows doctors to examine the colon, the lowest part of your large intestine, by inserting a flexible, lighted tube through the opening to your anus.

An upper endoscopy lets doctors see the gastrointestinal tract from the top down, using a flexible, lighted tube that’s inserted through your mouth, down the esophagus, into your stomach and as far down as the duodenum, which is the first section of your small intestine.

A capsule endoscope is a pill camera that is swallowed. This takes pictures as it moves through the gastrointestinal tract. The images are transmitted to a recorder worn on a belt, which are loaded onto a computer to allow the doctor or nurse to look at the images.

Endoscopy procedures take place at the following locations:

Royal Hallamshire (B Floor Endoscopy)
Royal Hallamshire (Clinical Investigations Unit)
Northern General Hospital (Endoscopy Unit)

Radiology

Further testing could include X-rays of the upper and lower GI tract, MRI, CT or ultrasound. Your doctor may recommend a test that uses a contrast chemical that helps your doctors see a more clear and detailed picture of your GI tract. The type of contrast used varies by test.

These investigations are carried out in the following locations:

Hallamshire Hospital, C Floor
Northern General Hospital, D Floor Huntsman Unit
Weston Park Hospital Radiology

Results

We will discuss your results with you at your next clinic appointment, or, you can call the IBD Nurse Advice Line on (0114) 2712209