weight loss, possible crohns

I am 32, usually healthy. I have had IBS for many many years and have learned to live with it. In the last 6 months I've lost 30 pounds. I am now down to 105 pounds and look and feel horrible! I lost the first 15-20 pounds in the first 4-6 weeks. I have had no decrease in appetite and I'm actually eating more than I ever have in the past. I've had multiple ct scans, blood tests, and just had an EGD/colonoscopy. They took about 10 biopsies, 3 showed colitis, inflammation. I've also had multiple stool studies done, from O&P, cultures, c-diff, fat content, all were normal. The IBD panel (blood work) was abnormal, my pcp said they've ruled out celiac with the blood work. They repeated the IBD blood work and the results were the same (pointing to chrons). My symptoms are the weight loss, fatigue, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. I just can not gain weight no matter what I eat. I am really getting concerned. Also, all my other blood tests (chemistries and all) have always been 100% normal. So I don't appear to be malnurished according to the blood work. I am pretty much skin and bones with actual muscle wasting.

The GI doctor wants to do a small bowel x-ray and US of my gallbladder, liver and pancreas. Are these x-rays necessary? What will they offer that the biopsies can't. Do the biopsy results mean either chrons or ulcerative colitis? Is this all the biopsies would have said or are they ever more specific towards one disease or the other? I am just tired of all the testing and I want answers and a solution so I will feel better. Also what kind of treatments will I be facing?

Thanks

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi dmbmom,
Though Crohn's disease is primarily a disease of the intestines, it may involve other areas also like liver, bile duct, gall bladder,joints, skin, pancreas and a few others.

So the tests you have mentioned like USG are needed.
Small bowel x-rays can also show the extent of involvement and complications like strictures and fistulas.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D