Crohn's Disease Tests
Several different types of tests are often used to diagnose Crohn's disease.
The most common tests are listed below. Your doctor may order these or additional
tests to determine whether you have Crohn's disease.
Blood tests
Your doctor may test your blood for factors that may point to signs of inflammatory
bowel disease, or IBD. In particular, doctors may conduct a complete blood count to
check for an elevated white blood cell count or low hemoglobin count, both of which
are common in people with IBD.
Stool examinations
This is a test in which a small sample of a patient's stool (or feces) is examined
for certain parasites, blood, bacteria, or viral components that might indicate an
IBD.
Barium x-ray
This is a special type of test in which you drink barium before an x-ray. Barium is a liquid that allows abnormalities in your
gastrointestinal (GI) tract to be seen with an x-ray.
CT scans
A CT (computed tomography) test, also known as a CAT scan, is a scanning machine used
to look at your internal systems. In testing for Crohn's disease, the CT test is used to detect abscesses (localized infections) and fistulas (abnormal
tunnels between 2 hollow organs, such as the colon and the vagina) in your GI tract.
Endoscopic tests
In this type of test, a doctor uses an endoscope to see inside your GI tract. An
endoscope is a snakelike tube with a fiber-optic camera attached to one end. The
endoscope also has a tool that allows the doctor to take a small sample of the bowel
wall. This sample can then be examined for evidence of Crohn's disease or other kinds
of IBD.