How is Crohn's disease (CD) diagnosed?

How is Crohn's disease (CD) diagnosed?

If you think you might have CD, talk to your doctor. She will use your health history, a physical exam, and several tests to figure out if you have CD.

Tests used to diagnose CD include:

• Blood tests: A sample of blood is studied in a lab to find signs of inflammation and anemia (low iron levels).
• Stool sample: A sample of a bowel movement is tested for blood or infection.
• Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Series with Small Bowel Follow-Through: The patient drinks a chalky liquid that contains barium. Then x-rays are taken. Barium shows up on x-rays. This allows the doctor to "see" the upper part of the digestive system including the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. The doctor uses this test to check for signs of CD.
• Barium Enema: The doctor injects fluid containing a substance called barium into the rectum. Barium allows the doctor to see the colon on an x-ray. Doctors use this x-ray to "see" signs of CD.
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: The doctor puts a thin tube with a light into the rectum. It allows the doctor to check the rectum and the lower part of the colon for signs of CD.
• Colonoscopy: The doctor puts a thin tube with a light through the rectum and into the colon. This allows her to "see" the lining of the whole colon and check for signs of CD.
• Computerized Axial Tomography (CT or CAT Scan): The patient drinks liquid containing barium and sometimes has a dye injected into their blood. Barium and this special x-ray dye show up on CT scans. Then the doctor uses a special machine to take many x-rays at different angles from around the body. The doctor studies the images with a computer. CT scans can spot inflammation, narrowing of the intestines, abscesses and blockages.

It often takes a while for doctors to make the correct diagnosis. This is because the symptoms of CD vary and are similar to those of many other problems.