Irritable Bowel Disease Panel

Consider the Irritable Bowel Disease Screening Panel if you are experiencing symptoms suggestive of gastrointestinal issues, such as:

• Frequent and urgent bowel movements.
• Persistent abdominal discomfort, pain, or cramping.
• Unexplained changes in bowel habits, including chronic diarrhea or constipation.
• Visible blood or hidden blood (occult blood) in your stool.
• Symptoms that overlap with celiac disease, such as unexplained bloating, gas, abdominal pain, or persistent diarrhea.
• Unintended weight loss or fatigue without a clear cause.

This Irritable Bowel Disease Screening Panel is beneficial for:

• Individuals experiencing chronic or recurrent digestive symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, or bloating.
• Those who have noticed blood in their stool or suspect gastrointestinal bleeding.
• People with a family history of Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, as they may have a higher genetic predisposition.
• Anyone experiencing unexplained weight loss or nutrient deficiencies, which can be associated with malabsorption due to GI conditions.
• Individuals seeking a comprehensive overview of their gastrointestinal health and inflammatory markers.

While this panel is primarily for screening, the markers it assesses are commonly elevated or indicative in the investigative diagnosis and monitoring of several gastrointestinal and systemic conditions, including:

• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD): Including Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, where markers like C-Reactive Protein (CRP) can indicate active inflammation within the digestive tract. The CBC can reveal anemia or other blood count abnormalities often associated with IBD.
• Celiac Disease (Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathy): The Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA test is a key serological marker for celiac disease, an autoimmune condition impacting the small intestine. Quantitative IgA is included to assess for IgA deficiency, which can lead to false negative tTG IgA results.
• Gastrointestinal Bleeding: The Fecal Occult Blood test specifically identifies hidden blood in stool, a critical indicator for bleeding anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract, which can be due to polyps, ulcers, diverticulitis, or inflammatory conditions.
• General Gastrointestinal Dysfunction: The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) provides broad insights into liver and kidney function, electrolyte balance, and blood sugar, which can be disrupted by chronic digestive disorders or malabsorption.
• Anemia and Nutritional Deficiencies: Both CBC and CMP can highlight anemia or imbalances that might arise from chronic inflammation or impaired nutrient absorption in the gut.

Important Note:

The Irritable Bowel Disease Screening Panel is designed as a screening tool and should not be considered a definitive diagnostic test. A positive or abnormal result does not necessarily mean you have IBD or celiac disease, but rather indicates the need for further evaluation by a healthcare professional.

Always consult with your physician for proper interpretation of your results and for any subsequent diagnostic procedures or treatment plans.