Blood in stools

[lsmouse]

My husband has had visible, bright red blood in his stool for 3 months now. It happens every other bowel movement, sometimes it is alot and sometime its minimal. Subsequent monthly tests have revealed trace, small and now large units of blood in his urine. His thyroid test came back critically low and we made an appt with an endocrinologist. His primary doctor said to cancel this appt because the thyroid test was sub clinical (?). His erythrocyte dist width in his blood work is also low (11.7). He also has a high erythrocytes count in his urine of 32 as of 20 Feb. He is tired and nauseated most days and has lost 15 pounds in three months.The gastronologist diagnosed him with IBS when this all started 4 to 4 months ago. Does IBS have these symptoms? Is blood present in the urine as well? Is the thyroid a factor with IBS? Is the debilitating fatigue a factor? He had a colon scope and they could only say he had a polyp but it was removed. This was three months ago. He is 40, 3 months ago was of average weight, a smoker and was considered generally healthy. He continues to decline in health and has become depressed due to his lack of energy and weight loss. Any advice?

[Frank Farrell, MD]

Hi.  Your husband appears to be quite ill.  I am very skeptical of the diagnosis of the irritable bowel syndrome.  Bleeding per rectum is not a symptom of the irritable bowel syndrome. Your husband's gastroenterologist likely made this diagnosis before the onset of weight loss and rectal bleeding.   One could have hemorrhoids along with the irritable bowel syndrome which would account for the rectal bleeding.  I am also concerned about the blood in the urine which also is not normal and needs to be explained.  The appropriate specialist for blood in the urine is a urologist.  Your husband also has what appears to be hypothyroidism.  With nausea, weight loss, blood per rectum, blood in the urine, and a hypothyroid state, something more global is going on and I would strongly encourage your husband to discuss this further with his physician.  Seeking a second opinion is never a bad idea when dealing with a complex situation such as your husband's state of health.  I hope this helps.

All the best,

Frank Farrell, MD

[Morecambe]

Bleeding ex rectum is never normal and should always be medically investigated.  For possible causes google rectal bleeding - the Medicinenet site is particularly informative.  If your doctor/GI specialist cannot make a diagnosis it may be necessary to rewquest a colonoscopy.

regards
Morecambe